Okay, you’ve either got Mike’s Picks pack (say that five times!) or your are thinking about it. So how do you now get the best out of the wines? Here’s our top tips for your new wines!
2022 Estate Verdelho
Verdelho has a rich history in the Hunter Valley as one of the originally planted varieties. The palate is fresh with crisp acidity and rich tropical fruit flavours – like pineapple, lychee and guava. Drink it young and fresh, or pop it away for 2-3 years. Enjoy it alongside chilli Salt & Pepper Squid with fresh lime & aioli. Yum!
2022 Estate Rosé
It’s no secret that we love making (and drinking!) rosé. Cool fermentation preserves the delicate aromatics. Our rosé is a unique blend of shiraz and merlot. This fruit-driven, refreshing style has vibrant strawberries & cream characteristics. We went straight to our winemaker Conor for his perfect pairing on this 2022 Estate Rosé and had us salivating over an aromatic seafood laksa.
2016 Guardian Sparkling Shiraz
First things first, this wine needs to be super chilled and left upright in the fridge. It’s made for pure enjoyment with its bright fruits, slight earthiness and spice, with a dry crisp finish. The perfect match for this sparkling shiraz? Charcuterie for sure! Think salami, jamon, bresaola with pickles and fresh bread. Once you pop, you won’t stop so this wine should be enjoyed now.
2016 Single Vineyard Lucy’s Run Shiraz
A small, single vineyard of shiraz planted about ten minutes away from our winery. It’s deep crimson in appearance with purple fruits, pepper and firm tannins. Well-balanced and aromatic this wine will go perfectly alongside a slow-braised beef cheek, roast lamb or kangaroo. This wine is sitting right in a sweet spot but will develop nicely with a further 5 years of cellaring.
2015 Special Release Touriga Nacional
We are pioneers of Touriga Nacional here in the Hunter. We were the first to plant it on our Lovedale Road Vineyard in 2010. When the conditions are right, we make a very small quantity of Touriga on its own as we normally co-ferment it with Shiraz to make our iconic Shiraz Touriga. The great concentration of blackberry and plum fruits with potpourri aromatics make this savoury style of wine shine. Enjoy with hearty winter foods like shepards pie, stroganoff and roast dinners.
2018 Special Release Merlot
Merlot was one of the first varieties planted on our family Lovedale Road Vineyard. The vines were planted by my dad Joss, my grandad Charlie and I in the early 90’s and has been a family favourite ever since. The wine is medium to full bodied with well-balanced acidity and firm tannins. 2018 was a hot, dry Hunter vintage so you’ll get another 5-10 years out of this wine if you can resist it’s charms.