Australia Premium Red & White Mixed - 6 Pack Value
$285
$313
This is Great……and Here’s Why!
Experience the best of Australian wine with our Premium Red & White Mixed 6-Pack Value. This curated collection showcases the diverse flavors and quality craftsmanship of Australia's top red and white wines.1 x Brown Hill Chaffers Shiraz 2018 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
89/100 The Wine Companion
92/100 The Wine Companion (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2012 vintage)
93/100 Ray Jordan (2012 vintage)
5 Stars, Brown Hill Estate (2018 vintage)
“Best Value Wine” – Western Australian Wine Guide
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Matured for 15 months in French oak. A very reductive nose initially, the black fruits that lie in wait on the palate are sprinkled liberally with cracked black pepper. Bouncy and short, but uncomplicated fresh short-term drinking, here."
The Winemaker "An exotic bouquet showing lovely red berry fruits intermingled with incense, cedary oak and chocolate. Delicious black cherry flavours dominate the palate which is softly structured with fine tannins. "
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Companion "It smells ripe, sweet and berried, the palate then following on faithfully, with rich plum and blackberry flavours pressing gently into raisin territory. There's a musky/vanillin character from oak and a firm finish; it has the throttle well and truly open but it negotiates the road well." (2016 Vintage)
Ray Jordan "...Excellent... Beautifully scented bouquet of rose petal and cherry plum with a spicy lift. The palate is seamlessly constructed with fine grainy tannins and neatly weighted oak. Medium-bodied fruit with excellent depth and concentration. So well balanced and posed with good medium-term cellaring potential."(2015 Vintage)
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2015 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Hewitson Le Secateur Shiraz 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
92/100 James Suckling
90/100 Tasting Book (2018 vintage)
Gold - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Country - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Variety - Paris Wine Cup
Halliday Wine Companion - 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2018
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2017
Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines”
James Suckling "Rich and round palate with concentrated blackberry flavors, as well as roasted coffee and chocolate. Plums and currants to close. Drink now."
A Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection "...A superb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse....Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus."
Tasting Book "Very promising quality with most commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and variety. Flavours and colours in reds are wonderful....with early standout varieties this year including....Shiraz..." (2018 vintage)
The Winemaker “Full-bodied, medium-toned, cherry jam, raspberry, dark plum, light chocolate, delicately spicy, aromatic” In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Patrick of Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ~ Coonawarra, South Australia
94/100 Wineshowcase Magazine "New Release" (2014 vintage)
93/100 Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
GOLD Sydney International TOP100 2018 (2014 vintage)
GOLD Australian Small Winemakers Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
SILVER Rurtherglen Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Sydney Royal Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Cairns Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Limestone Coast Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
Winestate Magazine - 5 STARS and 'Equal Top in Category' (2014 vintage)
Winestate 'Best of South Australia' (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Hunter & Bligh "Picked from the Mount Gambier region in South Australia, this savoury, elegant and refined wine will take your palate on a rich and smooth journey. With tastes of cherry and red fruit leading to cinnamon spice and a hint of strawberry, you can already see yourself rugged up in a blanket with a glass in hand."
Huon Hooke "A powerful, firmly-structured cabernet with persistence and presence. The tannins are abundant and firm and provide excellent structure, suited for ageing. Textbook fruit ripeness....Deep red colour with a tint of purple, the bouquet fresh, clean and berry-ish, with softness, richness and charm. There is good density, too." (2014 vintage)
James Halliday "Medium to full red-purple; the vibrant cassis and mulberry fruit of the bouquet heralds a lively palate, with red and black fruits, spices, firm but fine tannins and oak." (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Patrick of Coonawarra was founded by Patrick Tocaciu; one of Australia's leading wine (and AFL football) figures. Patrick's reputation for producing exceptional wine earned him many international accolades for the major labels he worked as Chief Winemaker, including; Tollana, Penfolds, and Hollick Wines. Patrick's distinguished reputation continued with the establishment of his own Patrick of Coonawarra Estate label. The wines are built on the solid foundation of extensive estate vineyards: 36 hectares in Coonawarra and 42 hectares in Wrattonbully. The Wrattonbully plantings contain shiraz, sauvignon blanc, and some of the riesling. All of the cabernet is grown in Coonawarra. The Estate is now managed by his eonologist son, Luke who continues the tradition of producing wines of varietal and regional excellence.
Coonawarra is the most important wine region within South Australia, credited with producing some of the best red wines in the entire country, and often described as Australia's most famous terroir.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Pikes Traditional Riesling 2022 - Clare Valley, Australia
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
94/100 James Suckling
93/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
93/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Bronze - CellarTracker
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Jeni Port, Wine Pilot (2021 vintage)
95/100 Ken Gargett (2021 vintage)
94/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
93/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023
Gold - Melbourne Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Vegan
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Lovely fragrant aromas of lemon, lime, bath salts, white flowers and feijoa. The palate has a real lushness of flavour, citrus, just-ripe stone fruit, lemon pith and talc. The acidity has a lively purity and drive and the length is really impressive. An outstanding wine and top value."
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Beautifully fine and elegant, the wine shows lemon zest, crunchy apple and jasmine aromas on the nose, followed by a brilliantly focused palate delivering pristine fruit flavours with racy acidity. It’s mouth-watering and lingering with excellent fruit purity."
James Suckling "Wonderfully fragrant nose of lemon blossom, then juicy and vibrant on the sleek and super-straight palate, this is a prototypical Clare Valley dry riesling with a lot of lime fruit and a very zesty finish."
Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "You could rationalise that Pikes’ Traditionale Riesling is a bellwether wine that gives drinkers a good indication of what to expect from Clare riesling each year. At times unnervingly reliable. The ’22 is good gear – juicy, bright, zingy with acidity, ticklish and brisk in acid profile with juicy green apple and pink grapefruit fruitiness set around skittish, laser-like tang. Scents are good too, with floral, citrus blossom and jasmine and whiffs of lime and grapefruit again in the mix. It finds a good balance between fruitiness, refreshment factor and tension, too. A great drink right here."
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "It has body, it has flavour, it has lilt, it has length. Lime, apple and riverstone flavours ripple throughout, energetically for sure but with enough meander for you to have time to enjoy it. It’s racy but it’s more than that, and that’s its charm."
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "Exceptional value here in this Clare Valley Riesling which punches well above its weight with serious intensity of lime pith and wet stone aromas that are robust and forceful. The class is repeated on the palate with fantastic density of ripe fruit underpinned by firm acidity that drives a lengthy finish. Delicious now but has the power and integrity to also age well."
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Very youthful in the glass. Aromas of lemon rind, white flowers, talc and jasmine. Zesty, lemony and tangy on the palate, lovely brightness and freshness, quite delicate. A lovely line of crunchy acidity rounds the flavours out very nicely. The length is impressive." (2021 vintage)
James Suckling "Bright lime and apple aromas here with a very fresh stance. Some white peach in the mix, too. The palate has a wealth of powerful lime and white-peach flavor with good depth and concentration. Impressive." (2021 vintage)
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Pure joy here! Lime zest, lemon pith, citrus blossom, brine, green apple skins and plenty of plush – almost ripe – stone fruit on the palate. This is generous and attractive, the acidity providing the tension and structure that it needs to elevate it into deliciousness. And delicious it is." (2021 vintage)
Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.
After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.
Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.
Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.
Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.
Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.
Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is – if the majority of top wine critics are to be believed – the world's finest white wine grape variety. The Riesling vine holds a very different place in the wine world to such great grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay. While these immensely popular varieties have conquered every corner of the winegrowing world, Riesling is conspicuously absent from the core wine regions of France, Spain and Italy. Riesling's home is the regions that trace the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel, two of Europe's great wine rivers.
1 x Arimia Estate Mourvedre (Organic) 2014 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
90/100 - James Halliday
Organic
James Halliday "Overall, a savoury, medium-bodied wine with red and black cherry fruits starting to show signs of development at 3yo."
Great Wine Blog "The perfumed nose follows through to the palate which is fruit driven and opulent. Mourvedre is normally gnarly but Arimia have made a smoother style similar in flavour to a good Cotes Du Rhone but without the garrigue. Classy! Arimia make the only single varietal Mourvedre’s in the region. They are championing new varietals for the region such as Zinfandel, Grenache, Shiraz Viognier, Petit Verdot and Verdelho."
Arimia is an award winning organic vineyard, farm and wine producer located in the famous Margaret River region of Western Australia. The Arimia vineyard has been farmed organically since July 2016 and the winery practices a low intervention, organic method of winemaking. The vineyard is managed and the wines made by acclaimed winemaker and viticulturist Dan Stocker. Arimia has one of Margaret River's most welcoming cellar doors and boutique accomodation.
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces semillon sauvignon blanc blends and shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to
the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
1 x Brown Hill Golden Horseshoe Reserve Chardonnay 2019 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
95/100 - The Wine Companion
93/100 - Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion
88/100 The Real Review
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine, Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented in a combination of seasoned and new French oak. Toasty, chewy and packed with layers of flavour and texture. The saline acid ties it all to a post, the concentrated fruit forms a deep pool of flavour on the tongue. There's a lot to ponder, a lot to like, and thankfully, a whole bottle to drink. Get to it."
Ray Jordan 'Probably the best chardonnay from this small producer. Aromas of lime and light stone fruit with a trace of crunchy melon. It's a medium-bodied wine with the oak deliberately underplayed, though still taking an important role. A nice edge to the finish'.
Ned Goodwin 'A wine that glimpses the current zeitgeist, tauter expressions of chardonnay while also paying heed to the proclivity of Margaret River for generosity and texture. Honeydew melon and quice leap out of the blocks... a generous lick of medium French oak, toning the palate'.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Very light-straw colour. The aroma is reserved and a bit shy, with a faint floral overtone, while the palate is light but reasonably intense, straightforward and tickled up with a trace of sweetness. A pleasant wine but the price is a bit of an overreach."
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2017 Vintage)
Decanter "A classic restrained nose which unfolds to real aromatic intensity on the palate. Grapefruit, grapefruit oil and a touch of green apple on the finish." (2017 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy Chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.
Experience the best of Australian wine with our Premium Red & White Mixed 6-Pack Value. This curated collection showcases the diverse flavors and quality craftsmanship of Australia's top red and white wines.
1 x Brown Hill Chaffers Shiraz 2018 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
89/100 The Wine Companion
92/100 The Wine Companion (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2012 vintage)
93/100 Ray Jordan (2012 vintage)
5 Stars, Brown Hill Estate (2018 vintage)
“Best Value Wine” – Western Australian Wine Guide
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Matured for 15 months in French oak. A very reductive nose initially, the black fruits that lie in wait on the palate are sprinkled liberally with cracked black pepper. Bouncy and short, but uncomplicated fresh short-term drinking, here."
The Winemaker "An exotic bouquet showing lovely red berry fruits intermingled with incense, cedary oak and chocolate. Delicious black cherry flavours dominate the palate which is softly structured with fine tannins. "
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Companion "It smells ripe, sweet and berried, the palate then following on faithfully, with rich plum and blackberry flavours pressing gently into raisin territory. There's a musky/vanillin character from oak and a firm finish; it has the throttle well and truly open but it negotiates the road well." (2016 Vintage)
Ray Jordan "...Excellent... Beautifully scented bouquet of rose petal and cherry plum with a spicy lift. The palate is seamlessly constructed with fine grainy tannins and neatly weighted oak. Medium-bodied fruit with excellent depth and concentration. So well balanced and posed with good medium-term cellaring potential."(2015 Vintage)
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2015 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Hewitson Le Secateur Shiraz 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
92/100 James Suckling
90/100 Tasting Book (2018 vintage)
Gold - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Country - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Variety - Paris Wine Cup
Halliday Wine Companion - 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2018
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2017
Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines”
James Suckling "Rich and round palate with concentrated blackberry flavors, as well as roasted coffee and chocolate. Plums and currants to close. Drink now."
A Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection "...A superb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse....Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus."
Tasting Book "Very promising quality with most commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and variety. Flavours and colours in reds are wonderful....with early standout varieties this year including....Shiraz..." (2018 vintage)
The Winemaker “Full-bodied, medium-toned, cherry jam, raspberry, dark plum, light chocolate, delicately spicy, aromatic” In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Patrick of Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ~ Coonawarra, South Australia
94/100 Wineshowcase Magazine "New Release" (2014 vintage)
93/100 Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
GOLD Sydney International TOP100 2018 (2014 vintage)
GOLD Australian Small Winemakers Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
SILVER Rurtherglen Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Sydney Royal Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Cairns Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Limestone Coast Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
Winestate Magazine - 5 STARS and 'Equal Top in Category' (2014 vintage)
Winestate 'Best of South Australia' (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Hunter & Bligh "Picked from the Mount Gambier region in South Australia, this savoury, elegant and refined wine will take your palate on a rich and smooth journey. With tastes of cherry and red fruit leading to cinnamon spice and a hint of strawberry, you can already see yourself rugged up in a blanket with a glass in hand."
Huon Hooke "A powerful, firmly-structured cabernet with persistence and presence. The tannins are abundant and firm and provide excellent structure, suited for ageing. Textbook fruit ripeness....Deep red colour with a tint of purple, the bouquet fresh, clean and berry-ish, with softness, richness and charm. There is good density, too." (2014 vintage)
James Halliday "Medium to full red-purple; the vibrant cassis and mulberry fruit of the bouquet heralds a lively palate, with red and black fruits, spices, firm but fine tannins and oak." (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Patrick of Coonawarra was founded by Patrick Tocaciu; one of Australia's leading wine (and AFL football) figures. Patrick's reputation for producing exceptional wine earned him many international accolades for the major labels he worked as Chief Winemaker, including; Tollana, Penfolds, and Hollick Wines. Patrick's distinguished reputation continued with the establishment of his own Patrick of Coonawarra Estate label. The wines are built on the solid foundation of extensive estate vineyards: 36 hectares in Coonawarra and 42 hectares in Wrattonbully. The Wrattonbully plantings contain shiraz, sauvignon blanc, and some of the riesling. All of the cabernet is grown in Coonawarra. The Estate is now managed by his eonologist son, Luke who continues the tradition of producing wines of varietal and regional excellence.
Coonawarra is the most important wine region within South Australia, credited with producing some of the best red wines in the entire country, and often described as Australia's most famous terroir.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Pikes Traditional Riesling 2022 - Clare Valley, Australia
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
94/100 James Suckling
93/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
93/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Bronze - CellarTracker
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Jeni Port, Wine Pilot (2021 vintage)
95/100 Ken Gargett (2021 vintage)
94/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
93/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023
Gold - Melbourne Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Vegan
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Lovely fragrant aromas of lemon, lime, bath salts, white flowers and feijoa. The palate has a real lushness of flavour, citrus, just-ripe stone fruit, lemon pith and talc. The acidity has a lively purity and drive and the length is really impressive. An outstanding wine and top value."
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Beautifully fine and elegant, the wine shows lemon zest, crunchy apple and jasmine aromas on the nose, followed by a brilliantly focused palate delivering pristine fruit flavours with racy acidity. It’s mouth-watering and lingering with excellent fruit purity."
James Suckling "Wonderfully fragrant nose of lemon blossom, then juicy and vibrant on the sleek and super-straight palate, this is a prototypical Clare Valley dry riesling with a lot of lime fruit and a very zesty finish."
Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "You could rationalise that Pikes’ Traditionale Riesling is a bellwether wine that gives drinkers a good indication of what to expect from Clare riesling each year. At times unnervingly reliable. The ’22 is good gear – juicy, bright, zingy with acidity, ticklish and brisk in acid profile with juicy green apple and pink grapefruit fruitiness set around skittish, laser-like tang. Scents are good too, with floral, citrus blossom and jasmine and whiffs of lime and grapefruit again in the mix. It finds a good balance between fruitiness, refreshment factor and tension, too. A great drink right here."
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "It has body, it has flavour, it has lilt, it has length. Lime, apple and riverstone flavours ripple throughout, energetically for sure but with enough meander for you to have time to enjoy it. It’s racy but it’s more than that, and that’s its charm."
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "Exceptional value here in this Clare Valley Riesling which punches well above its weight with serious intensity of lime pith and wet stone aromas that are robust and forceful. The class is repeated on the palate with fantastic density of ripe fruit underpinned by firm acidity that drives a lengthy finish. Delicious now but has the power and integrity to also age well."
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Very youthful in the glass. Aromas of lemon rind, white flowers, talc and jasmine. Zesty, lemony and tangy on the palate, lovely brightness and freshness, quite delicate. A lovely line of crunchy acidity rounds the flavours out very nicely. The length is impressive." (2021 vintage)
James Suckling "Bright lime and apple aromas here with a very fresh stance. Some white peach in the mix, too. The palate has a wealth of powerful lime and white-peach flavor with good depth and concentration. Impressive." (2021 vintage)
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Pure joy here! Lime zest, lemon pith, citrus blossom, brine, green apple skins and plenty of plush – almost ripe – stone fruit on the palate. This is generous and attractive, the acidity providing the tension and structure that it needs to elevate it into deliciousness. And delicious it is." (2021 vintage)
Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.
After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.
Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.
Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.
Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.
Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.
Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is – if the majority of top wine critics are to be believed – the world's finest white wine grape variety. The Riesling vine holds a very different place in the wine world to such great grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay. While these immensely popular varieties have conquered every corner of the winegrowing world, Riesling is conspicuously absent from the core wine regions of France, Spain and Italy. Riesling's home is the regions that trace the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel, two of Europe's great wine rivers.
1 x Arimia Estate Mourvedre (Organic) 2014 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
90/100 - James Halliday
Organic
James Halliday "Overall, a savoury, medium-bodied wine with red and black cherry fruits starting to show signs of development at 3yo."
Great Wine Blog "The perfumed nose follows through to the palate which is fruit driven and opulent. Mourvedre is normally gnarly but Arimia have made a smoother style similar in flavour to a good Cotes Du Rhone but without the garrigue. Classy! Arimia make the only single varietal Mourvedre’s in the region. They are championing new varietals for the region such as Zinfandel, Grenache, Shiraz Viognier, Petit Verdot and Verdelho."
Arimia is an award winning organic vineyard, farm and wine producer located in the famous Margaret River region of Western Australia. The Arimia vineyard has been farmed organically since July 2016 and the winery practices a low intervention, organic method of winemaking. The vineyard is managed and the wines made by acclaimed winemaker and viticulturist Dan Stocker. Arimia has one of Margaret River's most welcoming cellar doors and boutique accomodation.
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces semillon sauvignon blanc blends and shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to
the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
1 x Brown Hill Golden Horseshoe Reserve Chardonnay 2019 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
95/100 - The Wine Companion
93/100 - Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion
88/100 The Real Review
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine, Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented in a combination of seasoned and new French oak. Toasty, chewy and packed with layers of flavour and texture. The saline acid ties it all to a post, the concentrated fruit forms a deep pool of flavour on the tongue. There's a lot to ponder, a lot to like, and thankfully, a whole bottle to drink. Get to it."
Ray Jordan 'Probably the best chardonnay from this small producer. Aromas of lime and light stone fruit with a trace of crunchy melon. It's a medium-bodied wine with the oak deliberately underplayed, though still taking an important role. A nice edge to the finish'.
Ned Goodwin 'A wine that glimpses the current zeitgeist, tauter expressions of chardonnay while also paying heed to the proclivity of Margaret River for generosity and texture. Honeydew melon and quice leap out of the blocks... a generous lick of medium French oak, toning the palate'.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Very light-straw colour. The aroma is reserved and a bit shy, with a faint floral overtone, while the palate is light but reasonably intense, straightforward and tickled up with a trace of sweetness. A pleasant wine but the price is a bit of an overreach."
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2017 Vintage)
Decanter "A classic restrained nose which unfolds to real aromatic intensity on the palate. Grapefruit, grapefruit oil and a touch of green apple on the finish." (2017 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy Chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.
1 x Brown Hill Chaffers Shiraz 2018 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
89/100 The Wine Companion
92/100 The Wine Companion (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2012 vintage)
93/100 Ray Jordan (2012 vintage)
5 Stars, Brown Hill Estate (2018 vintage)
“Best Value Wine” – Western Australian Wine Guide
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Matured for 15 months in French oak. A very reductive nose initially, the black fruits that lie in wait on the palate are sprinkled liberally with cracked black pepper. Bouncy and short, but uncomplicated fresh short-term drinking, here."
The Winemaker "An exotic bouquet showing lovely red berry fruits intermingled with incense, cedary oak and chocolate. Delicious black cherry flavours dominate the palate which is softly structured with fine tannins. "
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Companion "It smells ripe, sweet and berried, the palate then following on faithfully, with rich plum and blackberry flavours pressing gently into raisin territory. There's a musky/vanillin character from oak and a firm finish; it has the throttle well and truly open but it negotiates the road well." (2016 Vintage)
Ray Jordan "...Excellent... Beautifully scented bouquet of rose petal and cherry plum with a spicy lift. The palate is seamlessly constructed with fine grainy tannins and neatly weighted oak. Medium-bodied fruit with excellent depth and concentration. So well balanced and posed with good medium-term cellaring potential."(2015 Vintage)
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2015 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Hewitson Le Secateur Shiraz 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
92/100 James Suckling
90/100 Tasting Book (2018 vintage)
Gold - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Country - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Variety - Paris Wine Cup
Halliday Wine Companion - 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2018
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2017
Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines”
James Suckling "Rich and round palate with concentrated blackberry flavors, as well as roasted coffee and chocolate. Plums and currants to close. Drink now."
A Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection "...A superb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse....Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus."
Tasting Book "Very promising quality with most commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and variety. Flavours and colours in reds are wonderful....with early standout varieties this year including....Shiraz..." (2018 vintage)
The Winemaker “Full-bodied, medium-toned, cherry jam, raspberry, dark plum, light chocolate, delicately spicy, aromatic” In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Patrick of Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ~ Coonawarra, South Australia
94/100 Wineshowcase Magazine "New Release" (2014 vintage)
93/100 Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
93/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
GOLD Sydney International TOP100 2018 (2014 vintage)
GOLD Australian Small Winemakers Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
SILVER Rurtherglen Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Sydney Royal Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Cairns Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
BRONZE Limestone Coast Wine Show 2018 (2014 vintage)
Winestate Magazine - 5 STARS and 'Equal Top in Category' (2014 vintage)
Winestate 'Best of South Australia' (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Hunter & Bligh "Picked from the Mount Gambier region in South Australia, this savoury, elegant and refined wine will take your palate on a rich and smooth journey. With tastes of cherry and red fruit leading to cinnamon spice and a hint of strawberry, you can already see yourself rugged up in a blanket with a glass in hand."
Huon Hooke "A powerful, firmly-structured cabernet with persistence and presence. The tannins are abundant and firm and provide excellent structure, suited for ageing. Textbook fruit ripeness....Deep red colour with a tint of purple, the bouquet fresh, clean and berry-ish, with softness, richness and charm. There is good density, too." (2014 vintage)
James Halliday "Medium to full red-purple; the vibrant cassis and mulberry fruit of the bouquet heralds a lively palate, with red and black fruits, spices, firm but fine tannins and oak." (2014 vintage)
The Winemaker "Matured in predominantly American oak for 18 months, the aroma is full of blackcurrant with a lift of vanilla. The palate is seamless with hints spice leading to the fresh, soft finish and balanced perfectly with the rich fruit flavours. An elegant wine that is smooth yet powerful and a great example of Coonawarra Cabernet."
Patrick of Coonawarra was founded by Patrick Tocaciu; one of Australia's leading wine (and AFL football) figures. Patrick's reputation for producing exceptional wine earned him many international accolades for the major labels he worked as Chief Winemaker, including; Tollana, Penfolds, and Hollick Wines. Patrick's distinguished reputation continued with the establishment of his own Patrick of Coonawarra Estate label. The wines are built on the solid foundation of extensive estate vineyards: 36 hectares in Coonawarra and 42 hectares in Wrattonbully. The Wrattonbully plantings contain shiraz, sauvignon blanc, and some of the riesling. All of the cabernet is grown in Coonawarra. The Estate is now managed by his eonologist son, Luke who continues the tradition of producing wines of varietal and regional excellence.
Coonawarra is the most important wine region within South Australia, credited with producing some of the best red wines in the entire country, and often described as Australia's most famous terroir.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Pikes Traditional Riesling 2022 - Clare Valley, Australia
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
94/100 James Suckling
93/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
93/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Bronze - CellarTracker
95/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Jeni Port, Wine Pilot (2021 vintage)
95/100 Ken Gargett (2021 vintage)
94/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
93/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023
Gold - Melbourne Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Vegan
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Lovely fragrant aromas of lemon, lime, bath salts, white flowers and feijoa. The palate has a real lushness of flavour, citrus, just-ripe stone fruit, lemon pith and talc. The acidity has a lively purity and drive and the length is really impressive. An outstanding wine and top value."
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Beautifully fine and elegant, the wine shows lemon zest, crunchy apple and jasmine aromas on the nose, followed by a brilliantly focused palate delivering pristine fruit flavours with racy acidity. It’s mouth-watering and lingering with excellent fruit purity."
James Suckling "Wonderfully fragrant nose of lemon blossom, then juicy and vibrant on the sleek and super-straight palate, this is a prototypical Clare Valley dry riesling with a lot of lime fruit and a very zesty finish."
Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "You could rationalise that Pikes’ Traditionale Riesling is a bellwether wine that gives drinkers a good indication of what to expect from Clare riesling each year. At times unnervingly reliable. The ’22 is good gear – juicy, bright, zingy with acidity, ticklish and brisk in acid profile with juicy green apple and pink grapefruit fruitiness set around skittish, laser-like tang. Scents are good too, with floral, citrus blossom and jasmine and whiffs of lime and grapefruit again in the mix. It finds a good balance between fruitiness, refreshment factor and tension, too. A great drink right here."
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "It has body, it has flavour, it has lilt, it has length. Lime, apple and riverstone flavours ripple throughout, energetically for sure but with enough meander for you to have time to enjoy it. It’s racy but it’s more than that, and that’s its charm."
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "Exceptional value here in this Clare Valley Riesling which punches well above its weight with serious intensity of lime pith and wet stone aromas that are robust and forceful. The class is repeated on the palate with fantastic density of ripe fruit underpinned by firm acidity that drives a lengthy finish. Delicious now but has the power and integrity to also age well."
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Very youthful in the glass. Aromas of lemon rind, white flowers, talc and jasmine. Zesty, lemony and tangy on the palate, lovely brightness and freshness, quite delicate. A lovely line of crunchy acidity rounds the flavours out very nicely. The length is impressive." (2021 vintage)
James Suckling "Bright lime and apple aromas here with a very fresh stance. Some white peach in the mix, too. The palate has a wealth of powerful lime and white-peach flavor with good depth and concentration. Impressive." (2021 vintage)
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Pure joy here! Lime zest, lemon pith, citrus blossom, brine, green apple skins and plenty of plush – almost ripe – stone fruit on the palate. This is generous and attractive, the acidity providing the tension and structure that it needs to elevate it into deliciousness. And delicious it is." (2021 vintage)
Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.
After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.
Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.
Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.
Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.
Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.
Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is – if the majority of top wine critics are to be believed – the world's finest white wine grape variety. The Riesling vine holds a very different place in the wine world to such great grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay. While these immensely popular varieties have conquered every corner of the winegrowing world, Riesling is conspicuously absent from the core wine regions of France, Spain and Italy. Riesling's home is the regions that trace the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel, two of Europe's great wine rivers.
1 x Arimia Estate Mourvedre (Organic) 2014 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
90/100 - James Halliday
Organic
James Halliday "Overall, a savoury, medium-bodied wine with red and black cherry fruits starting to show signs of development at 3yo."
Great Wine Blog "The perfumed nose follows through to the palate which is fruit driven and opulent. Mourvedre is normally gnarly but Arimia have made a smoother style similar in flavour to a good Cotes Du Rhone but without the garrigue. Classy! Arimia make the only single varietal Mourvedre’s in the region. They are championing new varietals for the region such as Zinfandel, Grenache, Shiraz Viognier, Petit Verdot and Verdelho."
Arimia is an award winning organic vineyard, farm and wine producer located in the famous Margaret River region of Western Australia. The Arimia vineyard has been farmed organically since July 2016 and the winery practices a low intervention, organic method of winemaking. The vineyard is managed and the wines made by acclaimed winemaker and viticulturist Dan Stocker. Arimia has one of Margaret River's most welcoming cellar doors and boutique accomodation.
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces semillon sauvignon blanc blends and shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to
the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
1 x Brown Hill Golden Horseshoe Reserve Chardonnay 2019 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
95/100 - The Wine Companion
93/100 - Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion
88/100 The Real Review
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine Guide 2010
‘SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ ~ The West Australian Wine, Guide 2009
Erin Larkin, The Wine Companion "Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented in a combination of seasoned and new French oak. Toasty, chewy and packed with layers of flavour and texture. The saline acid ties it all to a post, the concentrated fruit forms a deep pool of flavour on the tongue. There's a lot to ponder, a lot to like, and thankfully, a whole bottle to drink. Get to it."
Ray Jordan 'Probably the best chardonnay from this small producer. Aromas of lime and light stone fruit with a trace of crunchy melon. It's a medium-bodied wine with the oak deliberately underplayed, though still taking an important role. A nice edge to the finish'.
Ned Goodwin 'A wine that glimpses the current zeitgeist, tauter expressions of chardonnay while also paying heed to the proclivity of Margaret River for generosity and texture. Honeydew melon and quice leap out of the blocks... a generous lick of medium French oak, toning the palate'.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Very light-straw colour. The aroma is reserved and a bit shy, with a faint floral overtone, while the palate is light but reasonably intense, straightforward and tickled up with a trace of sweetness. A pleasant wine but the price is a bit of an overreach."
The Western Australian Wine Guide 2018 "Brown Hill Estate is small family-run southern Margaret River producer has gone from strength to strength with a range of exceptional quality and value-for-money wines. The vines are all dry grown and on quite harsh gravelly soils, resulting in small yields. All grapes are hand-picked. The reds are put into a high percentage of new American and French oak. Great value and super wines." (2017 Vintage)
Decanter "A classic restrained nose which unfolds to real aromatic intensity on the palate. Grapefruit, grapefruit oil and a touch of green apple on the finish." (2017 Vintage)
Brown Hill Estate is a family run, multi-award winning Margaret River winery focussed on single vineyards. It utilizes traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting to get the best quality from its grapes, and French coopered barrels in production.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon and intensely citrusy Chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.