Yalumba's organic collection
In line with organic month, Yalumba has released five certified-organic wines under the new label, Yalumba GEN.
Jessica Hill-Smith, sixth-gen family member and Yalumba marketing manager, says the collection follows the less is more approach. The resulting wines are full of character, texture and a true reflection of the vineyards. "This collection shines a light on our sustainable processes every step of the way, from vineyard to bottle."
Yalumba has been practicing sustainable winemaking for 172 years, and released its first organic collection in 2005.
The Yalumba GEN range is $22 per bottle, and the collection includes the Yalumba GEN Organic Shiraz 2020, Organic Pinot Grigio 2022, Organic Chardonnay 2022, Organic Viognier 2022, and Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2022.
For more information visit yalumba.com.
New look Heidsieck & Co Monopole
Calling all Champagne connoisseurs – the iconic house of Heidsieck & Co Monopole has released a new look collection inspired by the 1920s.
NV Blue Top Brut
Pale yellow in colour with brilliant reflections and strong notes of fruits, peaches, cherry plums and oranges, both fresh and candied. Freshness, elegance and delicacy emerge gently throughout the entire tasting. RRP $59.99.
NV Rosé Top Brut
New to the Australian market the Rosé Top is beautifully pale pink in colour. Wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrant dominate throughout, exhibiting a delightful freshness with a slightly tart finish. RRP $74.99.
2012 Gold Top Vintage
The heart of the Heidsieck & Co Monopole style. Pale yellow in colour, with reflections that provide its brilliance. Flavours of grilled almonds provide great length and freshness. The power of this vintage asserts itself. RRP $85.99.
Each cuvée is paired with a limited edition gift box, which pays homage to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Gatsby. The Brut and Brut Rosé Top are available now from independent bottle shops. The 2012 Gold Top will be released in November.
St Leonards Vineyard release 2022 Marsie
Rutherglen’s St Leonards Vineyard has released its first Pilot Project wine. The 2022 Marsie is a small-batch, dry skin-contact blend.
In true Rutherglen style the Marsie is 25 per cent muscat and 75 per cent marsanne.
The Marsie displays the vibrant aromatics and drinkability that St Leonards Vineyard wines are known for. It is slightly pink in colour which comes from the muscat and is cloudy due to no fining and filtration. The wine has vibrant aromatics – apricot, white peach, rose petal – and an enticingly dry and textural palate. Marsie was also 30 per cent partially barrel aged for three months in seasoned French puncheons.
Winemaker Nick Brown says the Marsie is the perfect drink leading into the warmer months. "The Marsie is the first of its kind by St Leonards – shining a new light on the signature, iconic varieties from the Rutherglen region."
Pair the Marsie with Asian dishes, Indian cuisine, or earthy flavours.
The 2022 St Leonards Vineyard Marsie is $32 per bottle. For more information visit stleonardswine.com.au.
Ten years of Tolpuddle
In 2011 Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW purchased Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. In celebration of their 10th vintage, the 2021 chardonnay and pinot noir (made by Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz) will be released on September 15.
2021 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay
A very exciting vintage. Quite expressive on the nose with some lemon peel and quince notes. On the palate there is some breadth and power and a sense that this will be a long living wine. The touch of opulence is reined in by the classic Tolpuddle Vineyard seam of acidity, bringing the palate into its customary focused line. The grapes were hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak. The wine spent nine months in barrel with gentle stirring as required, then rested in tank on lees.RRP $96 | Drink to 2034
2021 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir
This wine is true to the Tolpuddle Vineyard style. It has intense red and dark berry fruit, as well as some wild fennel and rhubarb notes on the nose. On the palate there is a lot of concentrated fruit, balanced by fresh acidity and some fine tannins. Cherry and raspberry notes through to darker blueberry and boysenberry give complexity to a palate that flows seamlessly, and some Chinese five spice characters give a hint of more savoury notes to come with time. The grapes were hand-picked and fermented as a combination of whole berries and whole bunches, in open fermenters, with gentle plunging. The wine was aged in French oak for nine months, of which about one third was new.RRP $96 | Drink to 2034
For more information visit tolpuddlevineyard.com.
Tasmanian trio
Here are three new releases from the Brown Family Wine Group.
2011 Pirie Late Disgorged
Ten years on lees has led to Pirie Late Disgorged – a rare and exquisite cuvée showcasing outstanding complexity and depth from Tasmania's infamous 2011 vintage. This premium Australian sparkling wine showcases golden colours with a lovely freshly baked sourdough bread smell and a prominent lemon curd freshness. The palate is powerful and the cool-climate Tasmanian acidity kicks in to leave the perfect balance. This wine is ready to drink now and will continue to develop nicely over the next three years.RRP $145 | Drink to 2025 | tamarridge.com.au
2020 Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir
The Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir is only made in the best years from exceptional vintages. This wine showcases the depth of pinot noir from the Tamar Valley. The fruit is taken from select blocks allowing richness, length and structure. Strong aromas of raspberry and blueberry dominate against a background layer of cinnamon and some savoury characters that will develop over time. Ready to drink now, or will develop more complex and savoury characters over time in the bottle.RRP $65 | Drink to 2032 | tamarridge.com.au
2020 Devil's Corner Mt Dove Pinot Syrah
Part of Devil's Corner's premium Hazards range (named after the Hazards Mountain Range), the Mt Dove Pinot Syrach is made from 70 per cent pinot noir and 30 per cent syrah. The Mt Dove is deep magenta in colour, combining a rich and concentrated palate with vibrant aromas of pink peppercorn, bright berries and green olives.RRP $65 | devilscorner.com.au
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