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.
A blend of ‘declassified’ Shiraz from the Pokolbin estate (Kiss and Dam Blocks), Sweetwater, Ridgeview and Cote D’or vineyards, Andrew Thomas rates the 2021 up there with the best he’s ever made under this label. The fruit saw a cold soak for 24 to 48 hours, followed by stainless steel fermentation, and was then racked into barrels for malolactic. The wine was raised in old barrels for 14-15 months before bottling.
About this wine from the winemaker Andrew Thomas: “Vibrant purple colour with a ruby hue. The nose is enticing with black pepper, delicate oak nuances and fresh ripe black and blue fruits. The palate is medium-bodied and immediately satisfying with hints of black pepper, dark chocolate and violet around a core of ripe fresh mulberry, blackberry and dark cherry fruits. The tannin and acid structure is nicely interwoven and offers a seductive supple texture and freshness. This wine has youthful vibrancy and appeal but also offers great medium-term cellaring potential.”
Sitting at 13.5%, this is an impressively concentrated, yet inherently approachable medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz. With classic, svelte Hunter blue fruits, some lifted spicy notes and a supple tannin structure, it screams out for a second glass.
Trophy – Hunter Valley Wine Show 2022 (Best One-Year-Old Shiraz of the Show).
Top Gold – Hunter Valley Wine Show 2022.
Gold – NSW Wine Awards 2022.
95 points, James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2024 “The selection of the wines going under this label is achieved by blending a large number of barrels that didn’t have the quality needed for Single Vineyard status. It’s a most attractive wine in the lighter end of medium bodied. It won the Trophy for Best One-Year-Old Shiraz at the Hunter Valley Wine Show ’22, and there’s a rush of spice, tannins and blackberry on the finish. Exceptional value.”
90 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review “Really youthful, bright and vibrant in the glass. Lifted aromas of blueberry, blackberry, bramble, wet earth, spice and cedar. Mid-weight, lively and chock full of crunchy red and blue fruits on the palate. There’s a real vividness, purity and drinkability, it will relish some time tucked away.”
RRP $28 *Our Price $24.99*
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