 |
 |
|
| The High Trellis paddock has been yielding the most splendid vintages of wine since the late 19th century, so nicknamed as the vines were the first to be trained above knee height following acquisition of the property by dArenberg. For decades, High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon has been released to unanimous critical acclaim by the wine industry press and international cognoscente. dArenberg» |
|
| Lenton Brae can justifiably claim to be one of Margaret River's leading proponents of the ebullient fusion between Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, having claimed multi trophies and gold medals for the style at regional, state and national competitions. The site was chosen after a chance conversation with the owner of Moss Wood who mentioned that the soils were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the eminent vineyard nearby. Lenton Brae» |
|
| Campbell's Topaque is the most wickedly intense, lusciously rich elixir, laden with candied peel flavours, honeycombed fruit and amber complexities. Painstakingly crafted to the old world Solera system, a bespoke tradition of fractional blending and elevage, achieving the most indulgent concentration of flavour through a laborious racking of barrels as the angels take their share. Campbells» |
|
| Mandoon are a Swan Valley operation of great provenance, their homestead vineyard being an ancient block established on the first rural grant in Western Australia, circa 1929 at a property named Sandalford. Always on the lookout for exceptional parcels of fruit, the highly decorated Mandoon team have focused on a northern block of Research Station Vineyard in Margaret River. Mandoon» |
|
| Whole bunches and oak barrel ferments, the costly extravagance of three years tirage on sedimentery yeast lees, each bottle individually riddled by hand, disgorged and sent to cellar for the ultimate indulgence of extra age before release, Pamela is the zenith of the sparkling winemaker's art. Her luxurious effervescence exudes brioche, tarte tatin and French boulangere, her creamy textural mousse unravelling ribbons of rich yeasty autolysis, crème caramel and baked fruits. Wicks» |
|
| The Daisy Hill district thrived throughout the 1850s, due to its location along the main route to and from gold fields. The Amherst property sits atop old alluvial tailings, ancient diggings can still be seen around the property dressed in rich quartz soils. Amherst» |
|
| It was the great Cabernet wines of Bordeaux which inspired Bill Taylor to diversify from imports and retail into the highly fraught pursuit of grape growing. An ardent enthusiast of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Taylor had a keen enough palate and nose to determine that the most auspicious lands for Cabernet Sauvignon were amongst the idyllic rolling pastorals of Valley Clare. Taylors» |
|
| Named for the Chapel district of Lenton in Nottingham, Brae is Scottish for a small hill, which is what the Lenton Brae vineyard is situated on. Fortuitously placed within the very epicenter for superior Margaret River Cabernet, the site was planted after advisement from the proprietors of nearby Moss Wood, with which it shares a similar terroir and microclime. Lenton Brae» |
|
| Excellent Langtons Classification. The legend continues for the stately Katnook of Coonawarra. Katnook» |
|
| Streicker's Bridgeland property yields harvests of the finest Shiraz. Crafted to traditional winemaking techniques, a regimen of old fashioned plungings and open ferments, into a pure, single vineyard Rhone style Syrah. Streicker» |
|
| One of the earliest commercial winemaking operations ever established in Victoria. Heathcote Winery can also boast some of the oldest Australian plantings of Viognier. Heathcote Winery» |
|
| A vineyard of some historical import, Bernoota is the original block, planted to the Follett family homestead along the banks of River Bremer, two decades before federation. A splendid construct of Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet, selected from old vines around the distinguished Follett family vineyard, perennially released to resounding accolades. Lake Breeze» |
|
Bellvale
About Bellvale - the Winery
Bellvale
Established 1998, Bellvale are a family owned winery vineyard operated by principal, winemaker and viticulturalist, John Ellis
Situated along the lush Tarwin River valley of South Gippsland, the area is acknowledged as one of Australia's best Pinot-Noir producing regions. This is reflected in Bellvale's numerous international and national awards over the last decade. The name, Bellvale, is derived from the Ellis family's rich agricultural heritage, which may be traced back to a farm in Nieuw Amsterdam (the New York area), in the late 1600s. The Bellvale label features two majestic oak trees that grace the centre of its vineyard. Exposure to Australian wines sparked an interest in terroir down under. What followed was a lengthy period of research and the selection of South Gippsland's cool climate. John now produces wines that are acknowledged as some of the regions finest, in keeping with the premium producers of the Burgundy region.
John Ellis spent many years on Long Island, in southeast New York, before emigrating to Australia in the 1980s. His abiding passion for fine wine and viticulture stem from extensive free time spent in Europe during a 25 year career as a commercial pilot. To maintain his interest, John followed several agricultural paths during that time, including planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to supply the first vineyard in the Hamptons during the 1970s. Over time came many trips to Burgundy to hone his knowledge of traditional French winemaking methods and traditional viticulture.
Ellis chooses to adhere to the traditional methods of the premium producers in the Burgundy region, where vine density is high and crop load limited to sacrifice quantity for quality. He manages 10 hectares of Pinot Noir and 5 hectares of Chardonnay, a number of clones used for each variety, adding subtlety and complexity.
Bellvale's flavour profiles present the full expression of a vineyard tended the artisan way. Ellis ensures that the vineyard creates the wine, there are no fancy tricks in the winery. The only embellishments are maturation in a combination of new and used French oak barriques for a minimum of 12 months.
Not so long ago, the South Gippsland region along Australia's southeast coast represented brave new territory for Pinot Noir grape growers. It is now acknowledged as one of the country's leading Pinot Noir-producing regions, with Bellvale's own vineyard rated as one of the top two for the region. There are a combination of warm days and cool evenings because of the southwesterly flow off the Southern Ocean, which is beneficial to the ripening process. Irrigation is unnecessary and the vineyard enjoys excellent drainage, a propitious north facing hillside position, large natural terraces, basaltic red clay loam soil of ancient volcanic. These are all conditions which yield exemplary harvests for the crafting of outstanding Victorian wines.
Bellvale's Pinot Noir is elegant and well structured, featuring a powerful palate of rich, ripe black fruits, with a fine oak influence. Her cool climate Chardonnay is crisper, due to higher acidity, tightly structured, with a well defined balance between fruit, secondary characters and integrated oak. The estate's vines have extensive and very deep root systems, which allow the fruit to more effectively express the terroir. John Ellis concurs with the French masters that great wine is made in the vineyard. The knowledge and experience Ellis gained working vintages in Burgundy translate into Australian wines of amazing richness, seamless integration and the most wonderful complexity.
|
|
