Description

Thomas Wines is not only one of the Hunter Valley’s most renowned winemakers, but nationally and internationally acclaimed for it’s exceptional, single vineyard Hunter Valley wines. Thomas wines have gained somewhat of a ‘cult status’ for its small range of personality imbued wines, many of which offer both pure current drinking pleasure, as well as remarkable cellaring potential.

The first vintage was produced in 1997, with an absolute focus and determination to specialise in producing top shelf examples of the two signature varieties of the Hunter Valley, semillon and shiraz.

Over the years Thomas Wines have gathered an impressive folio of local growers, who each own and operate arguably some of the Hunter valley’s most distinguished sites, producing world class, uniquely regional styles. Each wine showcases it’s unique vineyard signature and expresses a real sense of place. Kiss shiraz and Braemore semillon sit at the top of an impressive range, many of which have become modern benchmarks for the Hunter Valley.

Having previously spent 13 years learning and applying his craft at Tyrrell’s, owner and winemaker Andrew Thomas now has over two and half decades of winemaking experience in the Hunter Valley. It’s the no compromise, attention to detail approach to his winemaking that has seen him named as 2014 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year (having also previously won the award in 2008), as well as contributing to an impressive mantle piece of wine show trophies and medals, and enviable critical acclaim.

About this wine: The first release of the Elenay Shiraz in 2011 was the result of what Andrew Thomas calls a beautiful accident. A few barrels initially destined for the premium Kiss Shiraz didn’t quite fit the style and were blended with a few barrels of Sweetwater Shiraz to form Elenay. Such was the enthusiasm for the wine that Thomas decided to continue with the label. The vineyard composition changes depending on the vintage, but the style remains the same, with seductive fruit and premium French oak playing an important role.

The 2023 blend is a selection of newer barrels from the Kiss (45%), Sweetwater Ridge (36%) and Dam Block (19%) parcels. Whilst Kiss and Sweetwater have been included in every Elenay blend since the inaugural 2011 vintage, this is the first time since 2018 that Dam Block has made the grade. The latter lies just across the dam from Thomas’s flagship old-vine Kiss Shiraz. It shares the dark blue fruit, distinctive savoury texture and al dente tannins of Kiss, but with a slightly more extroverted personality.

Thomas has been working with fruit from Sweetwater Ridge in Belford since 2017. These mature vines (planted in 1998) are deep-rooted in Belford’s signature red/brown loam over limestone soils and face east, providing some protection from the hot afternoon sun and giving vibrant, perfumed lift to the wine. The Kiss vines at Pokolbin Estate are planted just across the road from one of the Hunter’s most famous vineyards, Graveyard, and these old vines (planted in 1969) yield meagre crops of exceptional fruit. Before blending, the components aged in a mix of newer French hogsheads for 14 months of maturation, with a further 11 months resting in bottle before release.

Gold medal and Trophy – Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show 2024

96 points, Toni Paterson, Wine Companion “The intensity, vibrancy and depth of this wine instantly draw you in. Beautifully made, it has fruit at the fore without overdoing it. The colour is deep, the palate is plush and the length is impressive. It’s a blend of the barrels that just miss out on the individual vineyard wines due to style rather than quality. Outstanding, particularly for those with a penchant for dark, plush fruit, a touch of milk chocolate and lingering warm licorice spice.”

95 points, Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review “With air, a cavalcade of heady spices erupts: aniseed, allspice and vanilla mix with violet and blackberry notes. A dense and cushioned core is lifted by an energetic line of acidity that enlivens the masses of fruit, followed by a wave of chewy, charry and tight tannins. It has structure, depth and freshness to age very nicely. Time in the cellar will reward greatly.”

95 points, Nick Ryan, The Australian “Dark red fruits, ripe plums, dark cherries, some blueberry lift too. Soft licorice, some woody spices; crumbly, friable earthiness underneath. Sculpted muscle and sinew. Medium-bodied – not in the way that some claim is an excuse for lack of presence, but in an athletic, energetic, impeccably balanced way. Fine, softly sandy tannins.”

RRP $68 Our Special Price $59.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.