2017  Thomson Family

Thomson Family ---- "The Best's Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz 2017 encapsulates the best of Australian shiraz, and at 13.5% abv to boot! Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, selected and sorted. It was first made in 1993, one hundred years after the Thomson family settled in the area. It is produced predominantly from the fifteen rows of vines planted by Henry Best in 1868, recorded as "Hermitage" by Henry in his daily journal. It was elevated to the highest and rarest Langton’s Classification of "Exceptional" in the 2018 Classification VII. It is the only Victorian Shiraz in this category." James Halliday: "Predominantly from the 1868 plantings, with lesser amounts from 1996 and '70, hand-picked and sorted, 50% crushed, 45% whole berry, 5% whole bunch. You'd stand up for royalty, and that's this wine. To use the spit bucket is lese majeste. Just savour it, drop by drop, as it magically finds its way unbidden down your throat. It's got the full rainbow of cool-grown shiraz flavors, a conjunction with a year made for it by Dionysis, and, glory be, comes with a screwcap." - 99 Points JH

2019  Thomson Family

Thomson Family ---- "Best’s remains at the top of its game because of wines like this; wines that hold true to the Thomson family’s winemaking philosophy, celebrating old vines and its distinguished sites. It all comes together beautifully, perfectly, in Thomson Family Shiraz. Tasted 1 year before release and it’s already an elegant and noble wine. Dark berry fruits, hints of sage and cassia bark with gentle leafiness. Oak and tannins, well, they are seamless and supple. A complex life awaits." - 96 points, James Halliday

2016  McIntyre Vyd.

96 Halliday - "From the oldest vines on McIntyre Vineyard. The bouquet is significantly more complex than its siblings, although the vinification remains the same. The palate dutifully follows suit, with more power and a fruit range including Granny Smith apple as an additional, but not dominant, component" 96 Suckling - "A beautiful and intensely flavored white with caramel and toffee, as well as cooked apples and lemons. Full body. Flavorful and pristine. Class and soul in this one. Drink now. Screw cap."

2012  McIntyre Whole Bunch

118 cases produced. This shiraz is 100% from McIntyre Vineyard fruit, 100% whole bunch fermented. The wine is deep crimson in colour and the aromatics are intense and complex. Black pepper spice on ripe dark berry fruit is overlaid with savoury, roasted root vegetable and Campari-like citrus peel characters. These complexities are joined on the palate by an abundance of fine, mouth filling tannins, which together, give this wine beautiful silky texture and palate length.

2013  'The Duc' Chardonnay

'The Duc' Chardonnay -- 150 cases made -- 96pts Halliday - "Strap your hands to the engine, a wild ride is in store. Peach, hazelnut, matchstick, bran, flint & roasted assorted stone fruits. It's not the flavors themselves, it's the combination, the run, the way the flavours ache on and on long after you've swallowed."