At a recent tasting held in Felix in Sydney I arrive to find Prue Henschke and duly ask her about the 13 vintage. She beams that they’ve not seen a vintage so consistently good across the board for some time. PH and acid levels in whites and reds could not have been more perfect. However [...]

Bring on the big guns, the icon of the Eden as brought to you by the Dandelion crew. It’s perfumed with an Edenesque spiced perfume in that Asiatic vibe, somehere between clove and five spice. Glorious black fruit profile, it’s rich and concentrated, beautiful layered wine with undulating spice notes. Textured and full of ripe [...]

Although the 2011 vintage has had its bad moments, there are some highlights. This, though not quite exceptional, is certainly smashable and I found myself going back to fill up my glass again, so for an $18 red it has appeal.  There’s enticing florals and red fruits, some Edenesque spice that offers some middle eastern [...]

No need to mention the superlative 2012 vintage in the Clare and Eden as  it’s going to be a year to secure some bank loans if you’re a Riesling lover. There’s an Edenesque stature and signature of  wet flagstones, lifted florals, kaffir lime and hints of candied ginger. Its as much about citrus as it [...]

There’s been a fair bit of chat in the run up to this release and it’s all been positive with Henschke embracing social media aspect and getting people to tweet the best tasting note. I’m going to write a few more than 140 characters as I like  this wines style. It has the poise of [...]

Always a highlight on the Riesling calendar and surely this wine still rates as one of the country’s bargains. There’s the Edenesque, florals and hints of wet pebbles, tangerine and lemon, as well as a sherbert like freshness. Feels great on the palate with a build of citrus and wet paving stone and that line [...]

If you’ve not heard about the tremendous quality of the 12 Rieslings in the Eden Valley I assume you’ve been hiding under a rock. This shows an Edenesque slatey, bath salt expression mixed with citrus as well as a slight sherberty tang. Lemonblossom, lifted florals and spice also play a part in the intoxicating aroma [...]

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to do a quick retrospective of  some of Henschke’s more famous wines, mini verticles if you will of  the Julius Riesling, the Abbotts Prayer, the Cyril Henscke,  and main event; Mount Edelstone which was celebrating 100 years of this special wine. The very erudite and considered [...]

Fair bit of anticipation with this wine, the second in the Woods Crampton range and I was sceptical as to whether it could beat the Mataro for wintertime drinkability. Eden-esque nose, by that I mean that seductive white pepper and Asian spice, mixed here with ripe black cherry and boysenberry. It’s elegant rather than showy [...]

Seppeltsfield Eden Valley Riesling 2011 $19 I really like the labels on these new table wine releases from Barossa fortified stronghold Seppeltsfield and winemaker Fiona Donald did well in their inaugural vintage to claim 3 trophies and the most successful exhibitor at the Barossa show last year. Some say the Clare was better in ’11 [...]

The Yalumba Museum Tasting is a well-executed formula for this old family wine business to show off their wares. The Yalumba roadshow has toured the country in the last fortnight with about the same excitement for viono-philes as if they were attending a One Direction gig. The show came to a close last night as [...]

This is the joy of a Burge Barossa blend done to perfection.  Shiraz (44%), Grenache (31%) and Mourvedre (25%), are given a subtle massage resulting in a Rhône-inspired red.  It’s nicely medium bodied at around 13% and it has an attractive personality on the nose. There’s a good combination of dark and red fruits,it has [...]

First off this ain’t cheap. These premium offerings from Burge continue to creep up in price but I’m not convinced that I’d part with so much money for a wine that does not really excite. In the press release this wine is referred to as a game changer and an eye opener. For me it [...]

Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling 2011 $32.95 11% The one Penfolds white in the Bin Range and they hedged their bets on an Eden Valley Riesling which was probably a wise decision considering the 2011 vintage. Ahh, slatey minerals or limey pavers to be precise, a touch of lemon dappled with honey. Tastes minerally [...]

There’s really not much I can say in terms of introductions. McWilliam’s continues to be one of the most prolific family owned wineries in Australia celebrating a history of 135 years winemaking in 2012. Most of the famous table wines are made at Mount Pleasant in the Hunter and thanks to the legendary Maurice O’Shea, [...]

Grant Burge Thorn Eden Valley Riesling 2011 12.5% $16.99 Grant Burge has been sourcing fruit from the Thorn Vineyard in the Eden Valley since he began in 1988, if there’s one thing Burge knows, it’s his vineyard sites as this is just one of the precious resources he utilises from the sub regions of the [...]

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011$14.95 13.5% The Y Series have had a face lift and now come with natty little illustrations. I often wonder who buys Viognier, it  can’t be the bottle shops best seller but look at the interest you get here for under $15 and I think people are mad not to mix [...]

This release from Yalumba is a scorching example of a recent Pewsey Vale one of Australia’s most hallowed sites and still such a bargain. It’s a downright festival of lime and apple blossom, some chalky and wet  pavers with flowers growing through the cracks.  The palate is all lemon and lime intensity, some mandarin skin [...]

I’ve said it a few times this year but as a commentator and more importantly as a drinker Australian wine has never been more groundbreaking, innovative and exciting. I’ve been exposed to regions and styles that have left me giddy at the experimentation and the pursuit of something much more admirable than just technically well [...]

The Henschke vineyards are located in an idyllic part of the upper Eden and the Julius is dedicated to one of the many ancestors of the clan. I’m beginning to wonder where all the bad wines from 2011 are? Having said that, it will be a while before we see the reds of that vintage, [...]

Nice plot of soil this, planted in 1912 and looked after for the last 66 years by Colin Kroehn. Elena Brooks has distilled the essence of the vineyard and made another cracking wine with high levels of natural acidity. Fresh off the bottling line and showing a crystalline freshness, the Dandy is on form in [...]

Phew, the title is almost as much as a mouthful as the wine. This is the flagship in the Dandelion range and displays rich, red and black fruits with some characteristic Eden Valley spice. There’s a vibrancy of black cherry, chocolate, cinnamon and even a touch of vanillin oak. Immense power on the palate delivering [...]

Elena Brooks. Remember that name as you’ll be seeing at lot more of her award-winning wines in years to come. This year she has been nominated for the Young Gun winemaker of the year amidst a line up of some very cool and capable grape-pushers. Whether she wins or looses is hardly the point, as [...]

I think everyone is familiar with the Henschke name. Even if you don’t  drink the stuff, you’ve heard the name, or seen the branded bottles that are so recognisable. For me it started in the U.K. when I was working in wine retail on some dodgy off license in South London. A case of 1990 [...]

Peter Lehmann Dry Riesling 2010 11.5% $18 A burst of Eden in every sniff, the Peter Lehmann bargain range continues to punch above their weight. This Rizza offers up citrus, appleblossom a touch of musk. The palate delivers fresh apple, a lemon citrus intensity some slatey minerality, talc and a slight sour, dry finish. Peter [...]

The launch of the St. Hallett Old Block 2008 was a celebration of one of the country’s most prestigious single vineyard Shiraz. However this was a tasting with a difference, before the unveiling of the new vintage wines, the winemakers Stuart Blackwell and Toby Barlow wanted to illustrate what made the terroirs of the Barossa [...]

Pewsey Vale Gewutztraminer 2008 Pewsey are known for their Rieslings but this is equally impressive, it’s got a lift of candied ginger and cumquat, honeysuckle, orange blossom and spice.Texturally it’s generous in the mouth, clean fruit profile of apricot and limes and a nice acid thrust with a little persistent spice on the finish. Region:Eden [...]

I love a good GSM because you always know that in the good examples you should expect, great fruit, great structure and a savoury aspect. This wine with Grenache fruit sourced from the Eden and the rest of the blend from the Barossa ticks all the aforementioned boxes. It’s the brainchild of Brendan Hilferty of the [...]

This shows no real desire to age yet which is amazing after 6yrs in the bottle. It’s got aromas of baked key lime pie with scorched shortcrust pastry that’s been infused with marmalade. On the palate there’s a touch of wild honey and some developed Kerosene characters, a hint of wet flagstone minerals, but it’s [...]

Can it get any better? I doubt it. PV continues to stun me with its drinkability and affordability so, well-done Yalumba for such extreme consistency. Beautifully lifted nose of sherbet and limejuice and some slate like minerals. A nicely balanced limey palate with a lovely crunchy, acid finish. Region: Eden Valley, Australia Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: [...]

I came to love this wine over three nights, each appearance unveiled a different layer. I loved its nose of lemon and stone floors with a touch of floral notes. I loved its palate weight, at once sweet like the most divine lemon curd with creamy persistence and then a magical acid drive that stops [...]

Pewsey Gewurtztraminer has aromatic notes of lychee, apricot, lemon rind, sherbert and honeysuckle. It’s a rounded palate of tropical flavours with delicious texture and spice, a touch of candied ginger and a viscous, dry mouthfeel with real persistence and defined acids. Region: Eden Valley, Australia Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 12% Source: Sample Price: $26

Ah it’s like Eden on the nose, that’s because it actually is. the unmistakable imprint of Pewsey with glorious lime and abundant floral characters with a dash of lemon rind. A really zingy palate that bursts forth with citrus and a really linear length that’s held together by austere acids. Put this one away as [...]

The Heggies Vineyard in the untamed Eden Valley S.A. produces some of Australia’s finest Rieslings. Winemaker Peter Gambretta has a deft touch in the vineyard as this  dessert wine shows. Entrancing aromas in the glass; everything from apricot, mango, tinned peaches, cumquat and honey and even a touch of Riesling minerality. The palate continues the [...]

Lehmann produce the goods at a variety of price points and this Riesling has it all in spades. Aromas of honeysuckle, lavender, citrus and white peach. Dominant Riesling palate with crisp lime, zesty acidity and great length. Region: Eden Valley, Australia Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 11% Source: Sample Price: $15

The Schist Rock refers to what’s under the soil in the Mount McKensie sub-region of the Eden Valley. Whatever it is, Winemaker Domenic Torzi captures the true essence of a cool climate classic. It’s got deliciously spicy aromas of white pepper, with intense stewed fruits particularly raspberry and damson. The palate is smooth,luscious and incredibly [...]