Winemaker Corey Ryan may be Australian born and bred but he has a strong Kiwi connection, having been chief winemaker at Villa Maria for about a decade, before returning home to the Barossa to make superlative wines such as this great spicy red. This brand is a collaboration between Ryan and Nicholas Crampton, who collectively aim to make great value wines that over deliver and shine a new light on classic styles. This 100% Shiraz and comes from a blend of two regions, 80% Langhorne Creek, south of Adelaide, and 20% Barossa Valley. It's bright, full bodied, dry and fruity with complexity coming from Shiraz' spicy notes. A fab Aussie red.

Tasting Notes

Made using Zoncello Limoncello and sparkling wine, this is a vibrant limoncello spritz with notes of lemon sherbet and is reminiscent of ice cold sorbet in a glass. Fresh and bright with a gentle fizz. Perfect for sunny days and friends. This is a refreshing drop best served chilled over ice.

Process

The Limoncello has been handmade from locally sourced lemons, steeped in alcohol for two months to extract all the wonderful citrus aromas.

Sugar was then added and allowed to rest for another two months.

Sparkling wine was then added to the Limoncello and the sugar levels reduced.

Citric acid was then added to ensure the final product was fresh and zingy.

Pirramimma is a family run winery with a history dating back to1892 and today comprises over 100 hectares of prime McLaren Vale fruit.

The 2019 Cabernet Merlot displays a bouquet of red cherry, blackberry and violets with hints of spicy oak. On the palate there are ripe blackcurrant, plum, quince and chocolate notes which are complemented by hints of pomegranate and subtle toasty oak. 

Drink now and over the next three years with rich meaty fare, stews and hard cheeses.

The bouquet is exquisitely perfumed, with lifted aromas of citrus blossom entwined with the exotic spice of galangal and the zesty vibrancy of Kaffir lime leaf. A core of pristine primary fruit—lime, lemon pith, and crisp Granny Smith apple—unfolds gracefully, underpinned by subtle flinty nuances and earthy, spice-laden undertones.

On the palate, the wine is delicate yet poised, revealing a finely calibrated structure and tightly wound tension. A vibrant interplay of lemon and lime flavours dominates, supported by an expansive mid-palate that offers both clarity and depth. Seamless natural acidity provides precision and vitality, tapering into a long, mineral-laced finish with a refined chalky texture and exceptional persistence.

Concentrated mulberries, boynesberries and black pastille fruits dominate the nose with subtle fennel frond nuances. Subtle oak complexities of black cardamom, nutmeg and lifted violets are well positioned in the background.

The palate is rich and layered with dark cherries, plums and raspberries. Integrated structural dark chocolate tannins scroll to the back palate with subtle hints of anise, which is balanced with an elegant and buoyant acid line.

Bold, rich and dry with powerfully fruity aromas and depths of deliciousness. This wine is a super intensely purple hued red made from Alicante Bouchet, a red fleshed grape, which ripens to surprisingly low sugar levels and lends itself to having a modest level of alcohol with stacks of flavour intensity. Alicante is a cross of Petit Bouschet (itself a cross of Teinturier du Cher and Aramon) with Grenache. It makes wine that tastes of cherries and spice.

We love the interesting different take on light red vs rose that this wine offers. A must try in summer. Serve chilled.

Rockford Wines' legacy

Rockford Wines is an icon itself and a relatively new one, established in 1971 by Robert O'Callaghan, who has forged a reputation for preserving winemaking tradition and saving many of the world's oldest grape vines from being pulled up in the Australian Government's vine pull schemes of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Rockford vintage shed houses equipment from 50 to 100 years ago, which was discarded by other wineries as modernisation took over.

This wine was fermented using only indigenous yeasts, natural to the vineyard, allowing for excellent terroir expression. Lees ageing and regular batonnage for 10 months has increased the complexity and creaminess of the wine and further heightened the palate weight.

The nose shows apricot, honeysuckle and orange zest aromas. The palate offers a long, luscious texture and notes of orange zest, with a touch of honey and toast. A long, rich and luscious palate finishes with a citrussy freshness.

Killerman’s Run Shiraz is comprised of selected parcels of fruit from the Clare Valley. The result is a layered, concentrated red with great depth, spice and red fruit flavours. Subtle smoky and liquorice notes add complexity to the long finish.

Bouquet: Bright blackcurrants and blackberries with a touch of nettle and a hint of earthiness. 

Palate: Generous and robust. Ripe black fruits and subtle oak balanced with supple tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. 

About the winery...

Six generations have nurtured some of the most historic vineyards in Australia.
In 1839 William Formby arrived in Australia from the United Kingdom and it was in 1882, after four decades pioneering South Australia, he purchased the now historic Metala estate.

In 1891 William and his son, Arthur, planted 21 rows of Shiraz, and 14 rows of
what are now the oldest family-owned Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world.
In 1894 a further 5.4 acres of Shiraz were planted. After almost five decades making Metala wine in a purpose-built winery on the estate, the winemaking was transferred to Arthur’s Brother-in-Law, at Stonyfell Cellars. The wines continued to be made here until management shifted to various holdings beginning with Dalgety Wine Estate in the early 1970’s.

In 1981, 5th Generation Guy Adams took over the management of the mixed farm estate. With a sincere appreciation and respect of viticulture and to family legacy, Guy, together with his wife Liz, began a 20-year long battle to return Metala to its original home. In 2022 the dream became a reality and Metala came home to Langhorne Creek and the family who planted and have nurtured the vines for more than 130 years.

Bouquet: Bright and vibrant with ripe fruits, primarily dark plums and blackcurrants, with a hint of raspberry coulis and coffee mocha oak.

Palate: Rich blackcurrant and raspberries. Crisp, clean acidity and delightful tannin structure leading to a lingering finish.

About the winery...

Six generations have nurtured some of the most historic vineyards in Australia.
In 1839 William Formby arrived in Australia from the United Kingdom and it was in 1882, after four decades pioneering South Australia, he purchased the now historic Metala estate.

In 1891 William and his son, Arthur, planted 21 rows of Shiraz, and 14 rows of
what are now the oldest family-owned Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world.
In 1894 a further 5.4 acres of Shiraz were planted. After almost five decades making Metala wine in a purpose-built winery on the estate, the winemaking was transferred to Arthur’s Brother-in-Law, at Stonyfell Cellars. The wines continued to be made here until management shifted to various holdings beginning with Dalgety Wine Estate in the early 1970’s.

In 1981, 5th Generation Guy Adams took over the management of the mixed farm estate. With a sincere appreciation and respect of viticulture and to family legacy, Guy, together with his wife Liz, began a 20-year long battle to return Metala to its original home. In 2022 the dream became a reality and Metala came home to Langhorne Creek and the family who planted and have nurtured the vines for more than 130 years.

Winery Notes: 

This Shiraz which comes from the Paisley estate vineyard, is deep red with purple hues. The nose has wonderful lift of raspberry fruits, floral notes, choc mint and a herbal, menthol note. The medium to full bodied palate has juicy red fruits, blackcurrant, earthy, savoury notes and black olives. The oak has introduced a cedary, roasted meat character. Soft silky tannins define the mid palate and complement the vibrant and juicy fruit. It finishes long with berry fruit, fine tannins and cedary oak. Drink young while it is vibrant and fresh but will age in the medium term for up to ten years.

Fabric Series
This range of wines, named after fashionable fabrics, feature the iconic paisley design for which the company is named. The pattern became synonymous with the Scottish town of Paisley situated close to Glasgow and was the birthplace of Kirsten's great-great grandfather, who emigrated to Adelaide in 1839.

Tasting Note

The colour is mid red. The perfumed nose exhibits lifted raspberry, wild strawberry fruit, potpourri, with thyme and sweet spice notes. The medium bodied palate has plump and juicy sweet fruit predominately strawberry jam, pomegranate, mint, hints of liquorice and an earthy note. The old vines ensure weight and depth on the palate and the fleshy and supple tannins add to the mouthfeel of the wine with a mineral edge. The wine is balanced through the palate and the juicy berry flavours linger nicely. This wine drinks beautifully now but will cellar forup to seven years.

Food Pairing

Derek and Kirsten suggest this wine would be an excellant chilled red for summer drinking with pizza, tomato based pastas or barbequed meats.