Henty is not exactly top-of-the-mind when it comes to naming wine regions in Victoria. It’s 300+ kms west of Melbourne in the far SW corner of Victoria. Hardly on a major wine tourist route then. Importantly though, the Henty Wine Region includes the town and surrounds of Portland on the coast, and it’s near Portland that the Henty brothers planted Victoria’s first vineyard.

Yes, I thought that might come as a surprise.

Another surprise might be that the vines came from Tasmania…Launceston to be precise.

These days, you might be familiar with Crawford River, Henty Estate, and Hentyfarm from the region.

Halliday gives the 2015 Regional Selection pinot 97 points with Ballarat and Geelong at 96. I have them all if you’d like to compare. The others are:

2015 Regional Series Ballarat – $62 – Halliday 96 – 2030
2015 Regional Series Geelong – $62 – Halliday 96 – 2035

All in Melbourne.

Cheers!

David Boxall

Here’s another wine that’s been quietly gathering some age in my Australian coolroom. I originally purchased 4 cases from Michael Hall in February 2016 and promoted it by email shortly afterwards, selling about half. There’s still just short of 2 cases left so here it is again, and now nicely in its drinking window of 2017-2027 if you follow Campbell Mattinson, or nudging up to 2020 if you follow James Suckling.

A quick look on winesearcher.com shows an auction price of A$58 now rather than the release price of A$48.

There’s 2 bottles in Singapore that can be delivered now and another 17 bottles in Melbourne that can come up 3rd week of March if ordered. As usual, no minimum purhase and free delivery.

Other Michael Hall reds you might want to try:

2012 “Stone Well” Barossa Valley Shiraz – S$63 – Halliday 95, Australian Financial Review Top 20 Wines of 2015
2013 “Sang de Pigeon” Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir – S$51 – Halliday 95
2014 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir – S$67 – Halliday 95

This is the latest release of the flagship wine of the Jackson Family Wines owned Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard.

Retails in Australia at A$175, but the Singapore tax model works in your favour at this price level, so only S$152 here.

Have a look at the ratings in the attachment…98 from Huon Hooke “a wonderful glass of red wine”, 96 from Halliday “its best days are ahead of it” and 96 from James Suckling “blended to perfection, a brilliant wine”. Campbell Mattinson of The Wine Front also writes:

“…it would want to be [the peak] given the asking price but the quality here is quite superb. It’s an accountant’s dream; strong in volume, balanced in nature, its forward estimates bright. Cloves, tar, blackcurrant/red currant and choc-mint, a swoosh of smoky oak. It displays both presence and decorum. You can bank on this maturing well. Drink 2024-2035+, 95 points.”

Back in the mid 1990s, Henschke Hill of Grace 1990 (and later 1991) was on sale at our local Harry Heaths in Glen Waverley at A$49 a bottle, limit of two per customer. That was lot of money for an Australian wine then. I’d go back every day and buy 2 bottles and now 20+ years later I’ve still got some and I’ve never regretted maxxing the credit card to get those HoGs. Now, I’m not saying that The Peake will perform like Hill of Grace (and who should care) but I do think you’ll look back in 20+ years time and recognise this as a real bargain. I don’t have to worry much as by then I’ll be pushing 90!

In stock and ready for delivery, this vintage is under cork.

You might also like to try these vintages of The Peake:

2012 – $155 – Halliday 97
2013 – $155 – Halliday 98
2014 – $155 – Huon Hooke 97
2015 – $159 – Robert Parker 97

Enjoy!

David Boxall

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NEW ARRIVALS IN MELBOURNE

MEADOWBANK VINEYARD
Derwent Valley, Tasmania

2018 Riesling – $50 – NYR (not yet rated)
2017 Chardonnay – $66 – Halliday 95
2018 Gamay – $64 – NYR
2017 Pinot Noir – $70 – Halliday 97

PRESSING MATTERS
Coal River Valley, Tasmania

2014 Pinot Noir – $66 – Gold Royal Hobart Wine Show
2015 Pinot Noir – $66 – Halliday 93
2017 “R0” Riesling – $51 – Halliday 95
2016 “R9” Riesling – $50 – Halliday 92
2016 “R69” Riesling – $49 – Halliday 96
2016 “R139” Riesling – $39 – Halliday 94

Another cracker from Stuart Dudine who delivers Rhone style wines from the Yarra Valley and beyond.

Here’s what Mike Bennie (of The Wine Front) had to say, writing for Wine Business Magazine:

“Alkimi is a relatively new producer for me but the wines are speaking my language. I like the dried herb and pepper overtones in this wine, and the more medium weight and savouriness to taste. It’s lively, vibrant shiraz (syrah!) with cranberry accented fruit character. Get amongst it,” – 93 points.

Stuart suggests matching this wine with protein rich dishes such as warm Cassoulet or a T-bone beef steak (Stuart’s obviously used to beef prices in Australia) and reckons “the wine is built to go the distance and will continue to drink well for 15 or more years”.

Enjoy.

David Boxall

The 2016 Syrah from the Warramunda Vineyard is also available although it’s not yet been rated – $52

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LAST CHANCE FOR DELIVERIES – 16 DAYS TO GO
I’ll be heading downunder from 15th December to 6th January inclusive to spend time with friends and relatives over the festive season. I’ll still be checking emails and orders can be placed but there will be no deliveries in Singapore during this period. Thanks for your understanding!