Hungerford Hill

Hunter Valley Semillon is celebrated for its vibrant acidity, citrusy flavours, and potential for graceful aging. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, this wine style places a strong emphasis on preserving the grape's inherent qualities.

Colour: Pale straw to light lemon, with a clear and youthful appearance.

Aromas: The wine shows intense and aromatic citrus notes. Expect lively aromas of freshly squeezed lemon, lime zest, and perhaps hints of green apple. 

Palate: On the palate, the Semillon showcases its hallmark high acidity and light to medium body. The citrus flavours from the nose translate to the palate, along with a refreshing minerality. The wine's mouthwatering acidity provides a crisp and zesty sensation on the palate.

Ageability: Hunter Valley Semillon is renowned for its ability to age gracefully. While delightful in its youth, the absence of oak and the wine's high acidity can contribute to its potential for further development over the years. 

Food Pairing: The bright acidity and clean fruit profile of Hunter Valley Semillon make it a versatile pairing partner. It can work well with a variety of seafood dishes, such as oysters, grilled fish, and shrimp. Additionally, its acidity can cut through rich and creamy sauces, making it suitable for dishes like chicken piccata or light pasta dishes.

Its vibrant acidity, citrusy character, and potential for graceful aging make it a standout example of the Hunter Valley's winemaking tradition and the enduring appeal of Semillon.

With some of the finest fruit, grown just outside of Young & Boorowa in the Hilltops region, our classic Cabernet Malbec blend is a classic varietal example of these two flavour powerhouses. This 2022 was a cooler year in a cool climate region and presents as...

Appearance: The wine would likely display a deep, rich ruby color with purple hues, indicating its youthfulness. Its viscosity might be moderate to high, suggesting a certain richness and concentration.

Aroma: On the nose you'll encounter a complex array of aromas. The Cabernet component could contribute notes of blackcurrant, and capsicum or mint. The Malbec, on the other hand, might add layers of ripe plum, blueberry, and floral nuances. The integration of French oak imparts additional complexities, such as subtle vanilla, cedar, and spice undertones.

Taste: As it hits your palate, the wine showcases a harmonious balance between its varietal components and oak influence. The Cabernet's firm tannins provide structure and grip, while the Malbec's softer, silkier tannins contribute to a plush mouthfeel. Expect a medium to full-bodied wine with a generous fruit expression, featuring flavours of dark berries, and a touch of blackcurrant leaf. The acidity is vibrant, providing freshness and ensuring a good aging potential.

Finish: The wine's finish is long and lingering, with the fruit flavors slowly tapering off, leaving a pleasant sensation of dark chocolate or espresso on the palate. The tannins, while present, are be well-integrated, contributing to a structured finish without overpowering the fruit.

Overall Impression: Our 2022 Cabernet Malbec from the Hilltops, is a fine example of the region's viticultural prowess harnessed by our winemaking skills. It offers a compelling combination of varietal expression, terroir influence, and skilled oak integration, making it a wine worthy of both immediate enjoyment and potential cellar aging.

A brilliant interpretation of this classic Italian grape variety, influenced by the terroir of the Hilltops region and the specific characteristics of that growing season.

Here's how a Sangiovese wine from the Hilltops region in 2023 presents thusly:

Colour: A medium to deep ruby red, with hints of garnet at the rim, indicating its youth and potential for aging.

Aromas: The wine does present a complex and enticing aromatic profile. Expect vibrant red fruit aromas, such as ripe cherries and red currants, along with subtle notes of raspberry and possibly even cranberry. Herbal nuances come forward, including hints of dried oregano or thyme, which are characteristic of Sangiovese.

Palate: On the palate, the Sangiovese does exhibit a medium body with moderate acidity. The red fruit flavours noted on the nose translate to the palate, accompanied by a touch of tartness and a pleasant juiciness. The wine's structure does include fine tannins that provide a smooth yet firm texture.

Earthiness: Sangiovese carries an earthy quality, and the Hilltops terroir does enhance this aspect. You might detect notes of dried leaves, that adds depth to the wine.

Ageability: Our 2023 vintage of Sangiovese from the Hilltops region does have the potential to age well over the next 6 years, allowing its flavours and structure to evolve.

Food Pairing: Sangiovese's versatility with food makes it a great choice for pairing with a variety of dishes. Consider pairing it with Italian cuisine such as pasta with tomato-based sauces, roasted meats, and aged cheeses. Its acidity and moderate tannins make it suitable for both lighter and heartier dishes.

Limited Production: Sangiovese is less common in the Hilltops region, resulting in limited production quantities and adding to the wine's exclusivity.

Overall Impression: The 2023 Sangiovese from the Hilltops region does offer a unique and exciting glimpse into how this traditional Italian grape thrives in Australian terroir. Its balance of fruit, structure, and earthy nuances does make it a captivating wine that showcases the fusion of Old World charm and New World innovation.

A wine that emphasizes the freshness of the grape and the minimal intervention winemaking approach. “Nouveau-style” wines are typically released shortly after harvest to showcase the primary fruit characteristics of the grape variety.

Here’s how our surprising Shiraz presents:

Colour: Deep ruby red with purple undertones, reflecting its youthful and intense appearance.

Aromas: The wine's aromatic profile is focused on the primary fruit characteristics of the Shiraz grape. Expect aromas of ripe blackberries, and hints of plum. The absence of sulfur does allow the grape's natural aromatic intensity to shine, possibly with a touch of earthiness or subtle floral notes.

Palate: On the palate, the Shiraz does offer a medium to medium-full body with an immediate burst of fruit flavours. The dark berry notes from the nose might transition smoothly to the palate, accompanied by a lively acidity that contributes to a fresh and lively mouthfeel.

Minimal Intervention: The absence of added sulfur underscores a minimal intervention winemaking philosophy, allowing the grape's natural attributes and the vintage conditions to be the main contributors to the wine's character.

Food Pairing: This style of this Shiraz makes it versatile for pairing with a variety of dishes. Consider enjoying it with grilled meats, charcuterie, pizza, or even slightly spicy dishes.

Overall Impression: The 2021 Preservative Free Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, made without the use of sulfur, does offer a vibrant and joyful wine experience. Its focus on immediate fruit expression, minimal intervention, and the unique attributes of the vintage make it an appealing choice for those seeking a red wine that captures the true essence of the Shiraz grape in a lively and uncomplicated form.

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