Spinifex Lola 2009 received a great review by leading wine writer Max Allen in the "Best Buy Wines" section of the Apr/May 2010 Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine. He wrote: "I am a big fan of the vermintino grape - otherwise known as rolle ... it's a hardy, warm-climate vine, and joins other flavoursome heat-loving varieties such as marsanne and white grenache, to produce this complex, textural savoury white ... this [Spinifex Lola 2009] is an excellent example of the emerging wave of blended wines from creative winemakers."

Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2008 received an excellent write up in the Apr/May 2010 Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine. Huon Hooke named the Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2008 in the 100 Top New Releases, giving it 94 points and 5 stars.  He wrote: "Smoky toasted-barrel aromas coupled with nutty, mealy and grapefruity nuances.  The palate is soft and rounded,…

Harewood Estate has yet again impressed respected wine writer Huon Hooke from the Sydney Morning Herald with their Harewood Estate Denmark Chardonnay 2008. He named it his "Top Aussie White" saying: "A very fine, modern chardonnay with nutty, oatmeal and toast aromas plus ripe stone fruits and smokiness.   It blends richness with finesse and the palate is harmonious, with lovely crisp grapefruity acidity on the finish.  Bright and vibrant.  Now to four years.  94/100."   Huon Hooke, Good Living, SMH 11/5/10.

Stephen George wears 3 winemakers’ hats, one for his Ashton Hills wines coming from his estate vineyard high in the Adelaide Hills, one for Galah wines and the other for the iconic Wendouree in Clare. He refers to his dry grown Piccadilly Valley vineyard planted back in 1982 as the “Burgundy of the Adelaide Hills”. Much experimentation with pinot noir clones (15 clones planted) and trellising has resulted in sublime pinot noir. His riesling and chardonnay are top shelf also. We will also showcase some back vintage Galah ( All wendouree fruit! ) wines and museum releases. Ashton Hills has received many awards including the coveted 5 Red star rating from Halliday “* Outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality (maximum rating awarded to top 7% of wineries)”.Their Pinot and Sparkling were both listed in the Best of the Best by James Halliday in his 2010 Australian Wine Companion. Their 07 Reserve Pinot was awarded “  Best New World Pinot” by Decanter magazine. Also available for you to taste will be a selection  of current favourites and new releases from The Vine Press cellars.

Come and join us for a fun and informative stand up tasting at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney on Wednesday 23 June. $25 per pers.6.30-8.30pm. Special offers. Places limited. Bookings essential. To book email rhys@thevinepress.com or phone 02 9908 4994.

    

Ravensworth Shiraz Viognier 2007 was featured in an article about the Canberra Wine District in the June Sydney Magazine for the SMH.   Wine writer Peter Bourne said "Up and coming name to look out for ...Clonakilla assistant winemaker, Bryan Martin ... partner and winemaker at nearby Ravensowrth Wines at Murrumbateman." Of the wine he wrote: "This is a superb example of this fashionable blend.   Raspberry and dark-cherry aromas fill the nose with a background of sweet spices - star anise and cloves.  The palate is fine and friendly with lots of soft red-berry fruits and gentle tannins paving the way to a clean, bright finish.  A label to watch with interest."

Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008 received great a review from Peter Bourne in his article about the Canberra Wine district in the June Sydney Magazine for the SMH. Of the Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008 he wrote: A striking purity of fruit sets the scene with lots of raspberry, dark cherry, white pepper and gamey characters interwoven with sweetly seductive Moroccan spice.  A dash of viognier adds floral notes to the bouquet and helps soften the texture of the intense fruit tannins.   This is a superb wine by any yardstick."

Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008 is indeed a thrilling wine, and glowing reviews abound.   Here's two terrific reviews from two leading wine writers in The Age.   “What is Australia’s best red wine? It’s a totally subjective question but some would put this Canberra District Clonakilla shiraz viognier 2008 on the short list ... Less structured and more precocious than the great ’07, it’s deliciously subtle and complex. Aromas of plums, raspberries, gentle peppery spice, milk chocolate and restrained florals introduce a beautifully silky, seamless palate. Smooth flavours weave through a long, superfine mouthful, resting on very soft tannins. It develops very well with breathing. Five Stars.”

- Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age, August 11, 2009

 

“Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008 .. extraordinary colour, deep magenta red with loads of pip and plums with a distinct Canberra spice note. A touch of dried herbs, superb oak integration, plush yet powerful tannins, layered, complex but not so much that it can’t be savoured now, although it’ll be much better in a few years.”

- Jane Faulkner, The Age, August 15, 2009

Spinifex Lola 2008 received 91 points in the latest edition of James Hallidays 2010 Wine Companion.  "An unusual blend that delivers a distinctly European styled wine; straw, pear and a touch of citrus come through on the bouquet and the palate; nutty and full on the finish, texture is the key. Semillon/Marsanne/Ugni Blanc/Vermentino/Viognier. 91 points."   The current 2009 Lola is in stock and without a doubt as good if not better!