Great wines begin in the vineyard. Truly splendid wines can only be made from the highest quality fruit, Kirrihill endeavour to craft the best, whatever the pricepoint. An exemplary Cabernet wine from sites across the premier viticultural precincts of Valley Clare, selected on the basis of consistency and pronounced varietal character. Grapes are harvested throughout the cool of night and vinified to a canon of old and new world techniques, capturing the essential brooding black fruits, regional blueberry mint and savoury tannin structure of the finest Clare Cabernet.

$1799each $215DOZEN EACH DOZEN Kirrihill work closely with the most dedicated Clare Valley growers to ensure the fruit meets the standards required to make the highest quality wine. Parcels are all picked and vinified separately in open top fermenters, while being treated to regular pumpovers, followed by a course of drain and returns to maximise the extraction of colour, flavour and tannin from skins. The batches are pressed off into a selection of French and American oak for malolactic and ten months maturation, softening the tannins and enhancing complexity. Parcels are then assembled into the finished wine, the aim being to achieve a balance of terroir, while buiding structure and achieving true elegance.

A vibrant deep red colour. Classic Clare Cabernet characters of blackcurrant and crushed violet on the nose, supported by enticing cedary notes, black bean and hints of hoi sin sauce. The palate is chock full of plum, mulberry and dark cherry. A rich, full bodied wine whose fruit characters are balanced by delicious chocolate oak, velvety tannins and a long, satisfying finish.

Kirrihill process fruit for some of the great names in Australian wine, as well as smaller local boutique producers who are behind Clare Valley's most praiseworthy efforts. Kirrihill retain the pick of crop for their own label. To create a full bodied style, Shiraz grapes are selected from three distinct subregions of Clare Valley, the Edwards family Ballingarry property in Armagh to the northwest of township Clare, the prestigious Tullymore vineyard to the northeast and eminent Schobers Road site at Auburn near the southern end of the Valley.

$1799each $215DOZEN EACH DOZEN Kirrihill work closely with the best growers to ensure that fruit meets the standards required for the highest quality wines. The parcels are all picked and vinified separately in open top fermenters with regular pumpovers and drain and returns to maximise the extraction of colour, flavour and tannins from the skins. The active wines are pressed off for malolactic and a term of age in a mix of French and American oaks to enhance complexity and soften the tannins. Batches are then assembled to achieve a balance of flavour, regional character and sound structure. The objective being to create a wine which can best demonstrate the captivating charm of the finest Clare Valley Shiraz.

Deep red colour with purple hues. An enticing nose, black pepper notes and berry fruit fragrances are complemented by the lithe cedaryness of oak. The palate is chock full of sweet blackberry and plum fruit flavours, hints of chocolate and exotic spice are supported by a length of elegant tannins and framed by a supple scaffold of integrated oak.

Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest, harvested off the splendid Kirrihill Tullymore property in the northeastern foothills. Planted at an elevation of 450 metres, to deep red loam and quartz volcanic rock soils on east facing slopes, Tullymore is one of the most opportune sites in Clare to grow Cabernet, it has been the source of eminent, national wine show winning vintages, ever since inaugural release. A long lived wine with succulent tannins and judicious oak, Kirrihill represents a memorable experience of Cabernet Sauvignon, especially in its youth.

$2499each $299DOZEN EACH DOZEN The state of art Kirrihill operation places an emphasis on environmentally sound practices, recycling waste water and grape marc into organic mulch for the vineyards. Cutting edge trellising technology provides the perfect balance of shade and sunlight. Vines are planted to a north south orientation on red clay loam over limestone soils at 450 metres above sea level. Grapes are cold soaked for five days, warmed up and vinified in open top fermenters with daily pumpovers to maximise extractions. The musts are pressed off and the wine transferred to a selection of seasoned and new French and American oak. Barrels are rigorously selected to ensure that only the best are included in the final assemblage.

A vibrant deep red in the glass. The classic Clare Cabernet characters of blackcurrant, plum, cassis and crushed violets on the nose with enticing cedary notes. Palate features black ripe berries, herb, mulberries and plum with well integrated oak framed by elegant tannins. Impossible to put down, as intense fruit and substantial palate weight continue to a warm, lingering finish.

From fruit grown to the superlative Tullymore property, just east of Township Clare. Vines are planted on red clay loam over limestone soils at 450 metres above sea level, fruit is harvested as separate parcels according to flavour ripeness. Tullymore has yielded a gazette of award winning vintages ever since inaugural release, one of the most outstanding sites in Valley Clare to grow Shiraz. Two distinct mesoclimes on the east and west end of the property make a wine that's layered with flavour and complexity.

$2499each $299DOZEN EACH DOZEN The majority of components are treated to several days cold soak maceration, concentrating the ripe berry fruit characters, followed by vinification in open top fermenters. The balance is vinified at cooler temperatures to retain aromatic intensity and reduce alcoholic extraction, before being run off for a course of concentration. Regular pumpovers maximize colour, flavour and tannin extraction from skins. Ferments are pressed off to a selection of new and second use French and American oak hogsheads for malolactic and a term of twenty months maturation. Rigorous barrel selection ensures that only the highest quality components are included into the finished wine.

Deep purple in the glass. A nose reminiscent of black and blue berry fruit, mocha and vanillin oak. The seductive palate is rich and intense with plum, black cassis fruit with hints of chocolate, liquorice and earthy exotic spices. Cedary oak is evident but well integrated and the finish is smooth and persistent. Drinks marvelously upon release and will develop handsomely.

Knappstein has been the most conspicuous name in the development of Clare Valley wine since 1895. Originally established by Tim Knappstein as Enterprise Wines, the low yielding Enterprise Vineyard yields some of the region's finest Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibiting bold concentration of flavour, distinctive mint eucalypt flavours, fine, velvety tannins and striking acidity, as derived from the iron rich soils and limestone geology. Replanted in 1969, the calibre and typicity of Enterprise Vineyard has shone consistently throughout the years.

$2499each $299DOZEN EACH DOZEN Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller components Merlot and Cabernet Franc, sourced from the estate's Yertabulti, Enterprise and Ackland vineyards. A couple of carefully selected growers from a little further north in the Clare Valley also contribute grapes. The diverse range of vineyards enhances the rich textures. The wine was made with minimal intervention to preserve fruit purity. Vinified in a combination of static potter and open fermenters for over a fortnight, with gentle extraction of flavours and texture through pumping over and hand plunging four times daily. The skins are then pressed and the wine allowed to settle before transfer to a selection of fine oak barrels for ageing.

Brooding red colour. Displaying the rich textures of Clare valley, lifted cassis and black currants with subtle Clare eucalypt on the nose. The palate reveals ripe blackberries and black currants with integrated oak. A wine of soft, velvety textures, the fine persistence of flavours is balanced by fine, sandy tannins.

A solid regional style by one of Valley Clare cardinal winemakers, a generously proportioned Shiraz that's redolent with violet perfumes and brimming with cherry mint flavours, over a suitably soft palate of exquisite balance and sound structure. The majority of fruit is sourced from the Knappstein Yertabulti Vineyard which sits atop an elevated site just east of township Clare. Vines are planted to Terra rosa soils, naturally very low yielding, delivering harvests of Shiraz exhibiting profound regionality and irresistible varietal charm.

$2499each $299DOZEN EACH DOZEN Knappstein's decision to ungraft some Chardonnay in preference of thirty year old Shiraz rootstock was an unfashionable choice in the 1990s. By allowing the vines to find their natural balance, Knappstein has best been able to understand the quality and characteristics of the different sites. Of these, three 30 year old vineyards have excelled with unique characteristics and calibre for their respective variety. Fermented in static potter and open fermenters, with gentle extraction of flavours and texture through pumping over and hand plunging daily over a fortnight. The skins are pressed and the wine allowed to cold settle before transfer to a selection of fine oak barrels for an extended term of maturation.

Bright scarlet colour. A ripe Shiraz nose of coffee and chocolates, florals and subdued pepper, underlying dark blackberry and plums with an attractive violet lift. The palate displays plum and dark berries. The persistent flavours are balanced by fine sandy tannins and spicey French oak. A Shiraz with great intensity, weight and style.

$5299each $635DOZEN EACH DOZEN

The Knappstein team love a challenge, always consumed by a pursuit to enlighten and to surprise in equal measure. The Insider pushes boundaries to explore new styles, to entice the aspirant and engage the enthusiast. An experimentation of adroit yet avant garde techniques, can yield quantum leaps in winemaking. While the results may be unpredictable, they can also achieve highly individual, personality driven wines. A piquant, complex accord of Malbec and Shiraz with moreish berry flavours and affable bucolic charm.

$2899each $347DOZEN EACH DOZEN Fruit is harvested in two separate parcels off the Hanlin Hill Vineyard in Valley Clare. Shiraz is drawn from Block C, originally planted in 1963 but with a chequered past of being grafted to Chardonnay in 1983 and chain sawed back to the original Shiraz plantings in 1997. Malbec is picked off Block I, established 1969. Perfect phenolic ripeness determines a whole bunch fermentation. Components of Malbec and Shiraz are treated to a regimen of fully oxidative handling and inoculation to wild, unruly yeasts. The finished wine is assembled into a forward drinking, yet cellarable style of great interest, substance and structure. Alcohol 13.2%

Deep dark red colour. The nose delivers an array of red fruits, raspberry and morello cherry are layered with sweet five-spice and earthy beetroot notes. A brooding explosion of anise, cherry and mulberry flavours is pulled together by velvety whole bunch tannins. A challenging and thoughtful wine that keeps you going back to your glass for the next sip.

$5299each $635DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Perched atop the spectacular boulder strewn hills of the Great Dividing Range, the Granite Hills property lies to the northern extremity of the Macedon Ranges, along a route taken by Burke and Wills on their fateful journey. At 550 metres, it is one of the highest elevation vineyards in Australia. Established in 1970, a small block of Merlot thrives under the cool ripening climes. A backbone of limited yield, estate growm Merlot is vinified alongside choice parcels, hand selected from good vineyards at Heathcote.

$2599each $311DOZEN EACH DOZEN Granite Hills can lay claim to the oldest vines on the Macedon Ranges, their roots have reached well down into the old, granitic sandy loam soils. It's the excellent drainage and low fertility attributes of the soils at Granite Hills that are so beneficial to the balance of the vine, keeping the yields low and quality of grapes high. This clean vineyard theme is reinforced by exposure to the prevailing winds, which tends to lower any humidity and disease pressures while naturally limiting yields. Hand pruning, meticulous vineyard management and selective hand picking is employed to ensure only the fully ripened grapes ever enter the winery. Matured in a selection of seasoned French and American oak barrels for a year.

Ruby purple colour. Warm toasty oak aromas are supported by ripe Merlot fruit, chocolates and cassis. The palate is full but soft, showing sweet spice and a supple tannin structure. Made to be enjoyed immediately upon release yet will continue to evolve nicely in the medium term. Perfect with lamb and a treat alongside your favourite recipe of shepherd's pie.

Koltz, winner of the Small Vignerons Award, is a small fifty tonne winery located within the elite Blewitt Springs appellation of McLaren Vale. All wines are estate grown and crafted, the operation is very much hands on. Shiraz was the estate's first effort, produced in small volumes, from fruit grown to a small but very special block of vine. Characterized by blueberry and earth characters, elegant with velvety tannins and superb length. Extended maceration contributes to the complexity, the aim being to construct a Shiraz which reflects the excellence of site.

$2799each $335DOZEN EACH DOZEN Koltz is a very small producer of hand crafted wines, made to traditional methods, fermented in open vats, basket pressed and matured under finely grained oaks. Koltz try to make wines that are individual and reflect the estate's philosophy that wines should be a pleasure to drink at every stage of their evolution. Vintage at Blewitt Springs is generally two to four weeks later than most of McLaren Vale. The sandy soils over ironstone make distinctive wines. Shiraz is open fermented and basket pressed, portions are treated to an extended maceration for up to fifty days, depending on season and ripeness. The finished wine is matured in a selection of seasoned and new French oak barrels for up to twenty months.

Deep vibrant dark purple colour. Lovely berry fruit pastille characters with a touch of spice supported by subtle cedary oak. A middle weight wine with a soft generous mid palate finishing over nice firm tannins. Mouthfilling, a lift of spicey fruit carries through from the nose. Excellent value for the Koltz entry point wine, there's plenty to appreciate in this pure and ripe, well crafted, concentrated Shiraz.

Konrad Hengstler discovered Marlborough while traveling through New Zealand in 1987 and was immediately attracted to the generosity of the wines. Today Konrad excels at viticuture and loves everything about the land, his estate wineworks are located in Waihopai Valley at the very heart of Marlborough, it enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Treated to a course of wild indigenous yeast ferments, hand plunged and pressed into seasoned French oak barriques for ten months maturation, a delicious single vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir in full bloom.

$3199each $383DOZEN EACH DOZEN