- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
Sips to Savour this Autumn
The Hunter Valley is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. Still, Autumn has that special magical something – mountain and vineyard landscapes with hues of brown and red, cooler days and nights in front of warm, open fires, cosy restaurants and cafes serving up hearty dishes, welcoming cellar doors, and of course, the wine. What could be better?
Change is everywhere at the start of Autumn and as the seasons change, so do many of our drinking habits. For many of us, the changing seasons come with changing preferences in wine. It might even be an excellent time to try something new.
The cooler weather may be here, but that does not mean you need to stop sipping on a glass of your favourite Rosé. As a fantastic food wine, the versatility of Rosé is its standout feature as it can be paired with a wide variety of foods and flavours and handles spices and heat very well.
Those lighter-style reds you have been enjoying in the warmer weather remain an optimal choice for the cooler moments of Autumn; however, now is the time to enjoy your Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, Grenache, Cabernet blends and medium-bodied Shiraz at room temperature.
Most Chardonnay lovers will drink Chardonnay regardless of the season, but it is the perfect choice for Autumn. The style that has emerged today is all about letting the fruit take centre stage, with other elements such as oak taking a supportive role. As a result, it is one of the best Autumn wines and suits the more decadent style of food the season is famed for.
Autumn Top Drops
WINMARK WINES
Winmark 2021 Single Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay
Following the heart-breaking abandonment of the smoked ruined 2020 vintage our expert team responded with commitment and passion. We enjoyed perfect harvesting conditions and picked immaculate fruit for the 2021 Single Vineyard Chardonnay. Winmark is proud to present the highly
anticipated release of this impressive wine.
TASTING The wine is pure and inviting, from the wonderful lemon colour to the fine and persistent finish. The youthful flavours of white stone fruits and nashi pear supported with soft spices are a delight. However the journey is only beginning as the wine will evolve beautifully to reveal layers of toastiness, richness and depth.
FOOD MATCH Best enjoyed with good food and good company.
CELLARING Enjoy now or cellar with confidence for 8-10 years
PRICE $55
IRON GATE ESTATE
2021 Primera Shiraz
A lovely blend of Hilltops and Hunter Valley fruit
TASTING This wine is a mid-deep, blood-red colour in the glass. It possesses inviting aromas of prune, spice, pepper and mocha notes from oak maturation. The palate is medium bodied, with rounded berry, cherry and chocolate flavours and a soft tannin finish.
FOOD MATCH A great accompaniment with lamb or beef dishes, but also terrific with roasted vegetables and pizza. It can also be enjoyed by itself simply alongside your favourite cheese as well
CELLARING Cellar for 1–5 years
PRICE $35
HUNGERFORD HILL WINES
2013 Single Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon, Blackberry Vineyard
Hungerford Hill's Blackberry Vineyard is home to 35-year-old dry-grown Semillon vines known for producing intensely flavoured fruit. This wine features classic regional lime-juice aromas along with lemon and jasmine, while the palate is spicy and flavoursome. You can expect rich complexity and exceptional body and weight, all of which will have you wanting a second glass before you've finished your first. Described as a 'glorious, semi-mature Hunter Semillon' by Huon Hooke, who also awarded it 95 points, the '13 Blackberry Semillon is drinking like a dream.
TASTING Bright acidity, still holding strong with time to go still. The light lychee and apple on the nose gives way to white peach flavours. Soft to start with a long lemon zest finish.
FOOD MATCH Perfect with a poached salmon, or chicken Caesar salad. For vegetarian preferences a quinoa pesto salad.
CELLARING Drink now or cellar for 3 years
PRICE $55
MOUNT PLEASANT WINES
Rosehill Shiraz
Rosehill is quintessential Hunter Valley Shiraz. Medium bodied and red fruited, the Rosehill vineyard provides wines of brilliant interest and wonderful ageing ability. This vineyard has produced fruit exclusively for Mount Pleasant since it was established in 1946 and will continue to do so for many years to come.
TASTING Intense red berries coupled with lovely spice and pepper. The palate is medium bodied with a beautiful fine tannin structure, powerful flavours and exhilarating length.
FOOD MATCH Pairs perfectly with roast lamb.
CELLARING With the knowledge of history on our side this wine has proven to age gracefully for 25 years and more
PRICE $55
PETERSONS WINES
2018 Shiraz – Mount View, Hunter Valley
Although 2018 was a tough vintage, we were able to pick a small amount of exceptional fruit off our most famous red wine vines “ Back Block “. These were planted back in 1971.
TASTING Colour: Vibrant ruby red in colour with bright crimson and cerise hues. Nose: Wonderfully lifted, floral, ripe and soft. The upfront fruit aromas are of lifted and stewed red fruits of raspberry and cherry. This is supported by floral and herbal nuances of potpourri and mixed dried herbs. There are also gamey and savoury nuances and an underlying
earthiness. The palate is mid weight, elegant, savoury, soft and dry. The upfront fruit flavours are of plum and juicy red apple. The mid palate is broad with spicy flavours and a slight smokiness. The back palate is elegant and clean with persistent natural acidity.
FOOD MATCH Slow cooked cajun beef ribs, barbequed pork belly, aged Gouda cheese.
CELLARING Cellar for 3–8 years
PRICE $60
SADDLER’S CREEK WINES
2019 Alessandro Reserve Shiraz
Rich in concentrated fruit flavours, this Shiraz is crafted in small batch. Handpicked, fermented in open vats, hand plunged and finally basket pressed prior to maturation, preserving the delicate essence of this regional hero. Pristine fruit, a gentle hand and the finest oak give finesse, flavour and longevity.
TASTING Our winemakers mature this exceptional Hunter Valley Shiraz in French and American barrels for 18 months. The fine grain of French oak has subtle influence of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and exotic, savory spices with firm, but silky tannins to harmonious balance the elegant fruit flavours. The use of seasoned American oak barrels contributes additional texture and complexity to the wine.
FOOD MATCH Slow cooked duck Maryland, three texture pumpkin, baby spinach salad
CELLARING Cellar for 8–10 years
PRICE $75
TAMBURLAINE ORGANIC WINES
2021 Wine Lovers No Added Sulphur Shiraz
The 2021 Wine Lovers No Added Sulphur Shiraz’s vintage is cool, slow ripening, picked in the last week of March. Made with no added sulphur, from grape to bottle. The grapes are grown in the cool climate vineyards of Hilltops, NSW. This wine is vegan-friendly with an alcohol of 13.9%.
TASTING Perfumed violets and five spice on the nose. The palate is vibrant red plum with a touch of cinnamon and spice, and gentle tannins.
FOOD MATCH For lunch or dinner, always a crowd-pleaser.
CELLARING Cellar for 5+ years
PRICE $14-$24
