Rediscover Australia Wines from the cellar and plenty of bang for your buck! AZAPR18 thewinesociety.com/australia
Great-value sofa stormers to world-class fine wines Of all the offers I put together each year for members, this is my favourite. Why? Because the Aussies don t just make a wide range of wonderful wines, they also have a particular knack of making wines that hit the value-for-money sweet spot of 7 15 a bottle. At these magic numbers, you re not just guaranteed a satisfying bottle but one with real personality too. This is Australia s strength and with such a good hit rate, the only problem for me is narrowing down the output of the whole nation to squeeze into these pages! I have selected a dozen (plus one!) wines below that I feel really showcase the range of styles that are out there to explore, and most importantly, offer huge bang for buck. Paring this down to just 12 wines was incredibly difficult as I was spoilt for choice. So, as any good buyer might do, I renegotiated my quota up to a baker s dozen to sneak just one more in! Next, I have selected some wines that showcase the varieties that are exciting me in Australia right now, including some limited-release wines from our archive stocks. Maybe Australia hasn t been on your buying list for a little while; perhaps you re worried that the wines may be a little OTT or on the predictable side. I can t encourage you strongly enough to try out the the mixed cases and discover for yourself that this is simply not true. Give this vast country and its supertalented winemakers another shot! Sarah Knowles MW Society Buyer My Top 12 Baker s Dozen These are my go-to wines that consistently offer great pleasure, bumped up from a selection of 12 to 13. I ve chosen them to represent classic styles of wines available from Australia s diverse regions, to give a feel of what is out there. Sip on super easy-drinking shiraz, get stuck into a Coonawarra cabernet, relax with a crisp glass of aromatic white wine, or pair a full-on fruity, rich white with some of your favourite food. However you choose to enjoy the wines, there is a great mixed case to demonstrate the enormous variety available. Enjoy! Reds Victory Hotel Australian Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 This is what the Aussies do so well an eminently gluggable red wine with plenty of blackberry fruit flavours, a touch of vanilla, soft, full body and a fruity finish. This would be great all day long with a summer BBQ or a glass would bring a spot of sunshine on a wet Wednesday evening! 14% ref AZ-AU19641 5.95 bottle 71 dozen The Society s Australian Shiraz 2016 Made exclusively for us by Paul Hotker at Bleasdale, in the Langhorne Creek region of South Australia, this is a lovely cherry and blackberryladen shiraz, full-bodied but fresh, with soft tannins. Hints of blackberry-and-apple crumble on the finish! 14% ref AZ-AU20411 7.25 bottle 87 dozen Weirs Lane Parker Estate Limestone Coast Cabernet-Merlot 2015 Year after year this wine packs a punch. Made exclusively for us by Coonawarra heavyweight Parker Estate, the cabernet is from their own terra rossa soils, and the merlot from great vineyards in Wrattonbully. The result is a generous smart red wine, with plenty of cassis, mulberry and cigar-box character, just perfect for the Sunday roast. 14.5% ref AZ-AU20061 7.95 bottle 95 dozen Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz 2016 Wakefield are based in the Clare Valley, a cooler sub region of South Australia, where they have perfected this elegant yet generous style of shiraz. With ripe, blackcurrant and morello cherry aroma and flavour, and rich, velvety tannins, this is delicious. 14% ref AZ-AU20181 7.95 bottle 95 dozen Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Made by Leconfield, this cabernet has great Coonawarra typicity at a snip of the price. Pure cassis and herbal nose with a touch of classic pencil-lead shavings developing on the full-bodied and intense black-fruited palate. A fine partner for lamb or a rich wild mushroom risotto. 14.5% ref AZ-AU19911 Madfish Western Australian Pinot Noir 2016 Bright, light and perfumed Australian pinot noir. Modern in style with plenty of redcurrant and raspberry flavours, this is a very elegant fruitdriven expression of pinot. Don t be afraid to serve slightly chilled for extra refreshment! Try with pulled pork wraps or Halloumi kebabs with a spicy dip. 13.5% The 2017 follows. ref AZ-AU20011 d Arenberg McLaren Vale Red Ochre 2015 d Arenberg s everyday red, this classic Australian blend of grenache, syrah and mataro is a juicy bramble-scented soft, rich, easy-drinking wine. Named after the Ochre cliffs, on the coast near McLaren Vale, significant in Aboriginal ancestry for their use for body painting by local tribes. The ochre was later exported to England where the paint was used on London s original red pillar boxes! 14.4% ref AZ-AU20291 Whites Victory Hotel Australian Chardonnay- Semillon 2017 Dry, crisp, unoaked white, with scents of apple and melon from the chardonnay and notes of lime and lemongrass from the small but significant helping of semillon in the blend. Lovely fridge-door wine at a snip of a price. 14% ref AZ-AU20641 5.95 bottle 71 dozen The Society s Australian Chardonnay 2017 This crisp and elegant chardonnay is from the cooler Adelaide region within South Australia. Wonderfully easy to drink, with plenty of lemon and apple flavours, and a mouthwateringly fresh, dry style. Not at all like the golden honeyed chardonnays of the 1990s, and much more drinkable for it! Made exclusively for us by the excellent team at Wirra Wirra. 12.5% ref AZ-AU20201 7.25 bottle 87 dozen Order online at thewinesociety.com/australia or call 01438 741177
Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2017 Do you ever just need a glass of chilled aromatic white wine? This is my go-to wine after a tough day. Crisp and dry with plenty of citrus and tropical fruit on the nose and lasting well on the refreshing palate. A real pick-me-up from an inspired blend of grapes. 12% ref AZ-AU20401 7.75 bottle 93 dozen The Society s Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 Made exclusively for us by established Hunter Valley experts Brokenwood, this is a new addition to our Society-label selection. With mouthwatering lemon and lime flavours, a light body, crisp touch and refreshing finish, this is a wine to be enjoyed with or without food and particularly good with Asian-style cooking. 11% ref AZ-AU20161 d Arenberg McLaren Vale White Ochre 2017 This curious blend of riesling, sauvignon blanc, marsanne and roussanne really works! Wonderfully fruity, with lemon, apricot and peach on the nose and a soft, dry palate, this is a perfect easy-drinking unoaked Aussie white. 12% ref AZ-AU20301 Blind Spot Clare Valley Riesling 2017 A stunning example of dry, lime-scented, mineral-backed riesling from Clare Valley, the region renowned for its top-quality wines from this grape. It comes at a steal of a price because Mac Forbes, our man on the ground, managed to bagsy this tank for us early from a friend. An elegant aperitif or partner for fine-flavoured fish dishes. 12% ref AZ-AU20321 9.50 bottle 114 dozen Know Your Shiraz Australia s leading red grape variety is now being made in an even greater range of styles, from the riper, softer, sweeter Barossa style to the tighter, more herbal Victoria examples. Often these wines will age wonderfully too and I have released a small amount of our museumbin stock so that you can try these complex wines now, perfectly aged in our cellars. Peter Lehmann H&V Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 H&V stands for Hill and Valley, reflecting the fact that this Barossa shiraz is made using grapes from both cooler elevated hillsides and warmer, deep and ancient valley floor soils. The result? A delicious, robust but balanced shiraz showcasing the blueberry and plum notes of the Barossa, with just a hint of chocolate coming from 12 months ageing in large oak hogsheads. Very smart indeed. Now to 2020. 14.5% ref AZ-AU20821 11.95 bottle 143 dozen The Society s Exhibition Victoria Shiraz 2014 Mount Langi make this medium-bodied, perfumed shiraz exclusively for us from small parcels of grapes grown across their idyllic mountainous estate. A vibrant blackcurrant and mulberry nose, with bramble fruits on the palate, plenty of black-pepper spice, silky tannins and wonderful herbal freshness on the finish. Now to 2023. 14% ref AZ-AU19441 16 bottle 192 dozen NEW Robert Oatley Finisterre Great Southern Syrah 2014 Western Australia s Great Southern wines often have a salty freshness to them, which I feel this has. On the nose there s just a hint of saline tang to the plum and cherry notes at its heart. Full-bodied, but with elegant acidity, the black-fruit flavours are concentrated and will develop with time in glass, decanter or cellar. Now to 2029. 13.5% Available end April. ref AZ-AU20941 20 bottle 240 dozen d Arenberg Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009 A standard-bearing McLaren Vale shiraz from one of the best vintages of the decade. Polished, concentrated and boldly flavoured, this spice-laden and exotically fruity wine manages to balance power with refinement the hallmarks of this great producer. Would continue to develop for another 10 years, but would be great now with a thick-cut steak rubbed with garlic. Now to 2028. 14.5% Low stock. ref AZ-AU15891 27 bottle 324 dozen NEW Clonakilla Canberra District Shiraz-Viognier 2010 Clonakilla sells out on release each year, with very little making it to the UK at all. This is their famous shiraz (with 5% viognier) that eight years on is singing! Lovely perfumed and spicy nose redolent of violets and blackcurrant, elegant medium body, with fine tannins supporting appetising tart red and blackberry fruit with leather and spice box on the finish. Wonderful now and the perfect bottle for a simple roast lamb joint; best decanted an hour before serving. Now to 2020. 14% ref AZ-AU15551 60 bottle 720 dozen
Grenache & Pinot Noir It s no surprise that sun-loving grenache does so well in Australia where it s increasingly crafted into rich, ripe but sophisticated and juicy wines rather than out-and-out blockbusters. Perhaps more of a revelation is the success of the notoriously pernickety pinot which the Aussies have lovingly tended in its cooler regions to make for wines with a lighter touch these modern pinots are hard to beat. The Society s Exhibition McLaren Vale GSM 2015 Made by Chester Osborn at d Arenberg solely for us, this is a classic grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre (mataro) blend. Perfumed strawberry and spice on the nose, a generous full-bodied palate, with soft tannins and refreshing redcurrant and wild strawberry flavours that last on the bright finish. Lovely with a top-quality rib-eye or full-on spicy veggie tagine. Now to 2022. 14.5% ref AZ-AU19671 13.95 bottle 167 dozen Tamar Ridge Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2014 This pinot has wonderful perfume tart redcurrants, cranberries and white-pepper spice tantalise the nose. Fine tannins and bright acidity hold the delicate red-berry flavours well and a touch of vanilla on the finish makes the wine a seriously delicious whole. Now to 2024. 13% ref AZ-AU20671 20 bottle 240 dozen S C Pannell Grenache-Shiraz-Touriga 2016 Steve Pannell is one of Australia s best winemakers winning the coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy twice! This is a full-bodied, fruit-driven pure Australian big red. However, for all the concentration of strawberry and blackcurrant flavours, Steve has retained great freshness and with only minimal oak used to great effect. Now to 2026. 14% ref AZ-AU20961 27 bottle 324 dozen Kooyong Estate Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2015 Kooyong produces some of Australia s best pinot noir, and this, their Estate wine, really showcases the Mornington Peninsula style. It offers a gorgeous sappy redcurrant nose, with cherry, spice and cranberry on the complex but light-bodied palate. A delightful wine with a delicate touch, fine tannins and a perfumed finish. Now to 2022. 13% ref AZ-AU19961 28 bottle 336 dozen Free UK Delivery minimum purchase applies thewinesociety.com/delivery Cabernet Class Australia has proven it has form with this noble grape and continues to take it to another level. Take your pick from this collection of complex cabernets from classic regions in Australia for this grape, freshly dusted off from our own cellars to show how well they keep and now ready to drink, or to keep further in yours! Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 The Coonawarra region is famous for producing wonderfully distinctive cabernet from its deep red (terra rossa) soils. This glorious example shows typical blackberry, coffee and eucalypt aromas with firm tannins and concentrated black-fruit flavours on the palate. Great now (and a natural with roast beef), but this will age well too. Now to 2028. 14.5% ref AZ-AU20781 17 bottle 204 dozen Cullen Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot 2014 This is Classic Cullen an elegant Western Australian Bordeaux blend that is fresh and fruit driven now, but which will age beautifully for ten years too. Plum and iron filings on the nose and a complex, herbal palate with fine but grippy tannins and a long finish. Now to 2026. 13.5% ref AZ-AU18961 21 bottle 252 dozen Yalumba The Menzies, Coonawarra 2004 Classic Coonawarra nose which, even 15 years on, still displays youthful cassis and strawberry notes, but now underpinned by deep, earthy leather and spice flavours. A fine wine and a fine example of its type that is deceptively youthful and poised, very enjoyable now. Now to 2024. 14% ref AZ-AU10761 30 bottle 360 dozen Anaperenna, Barossa 2009 Despite nearly 10 years in our cellars, this cabernet-shiraz blend from the Barossa is still a baby. Enticing, generous, blackcurrant and mocha aromas and blackberry and sweet damson flavours with soft, full body. Classy oak and spice develop on the finish and would evolve further with cellaring. Enjoy now, after decanting, with a rib of beef. Now to 2025. 14.5% ref AZ-AU13601 38 bottle 456 dozen Coonawarra is famous for producing wonderfully distinctive cabernet from its deep red (terra rossa) soils
Aussie Aromatics: Riesling & Semillon At a recent tasting of Australian rieslings, I was blown away by the consistency and high quality on show and feature below two of my personal favourites. The two older semillon releases really show the potential for this uniquely Australian style of wine to compete on a global fine-wine stage. Peter Lehmann Margaret Barossa Semillon 2010 Harvested early and made without any oak, Peter Lehmann s Margaret bottling is a beautiful example of Aussie semillon. Lovely, lemony, light in alcohol but rich in body, this is now showing some of the complex candle-wax notes that come with a little maturity. Now to 2020. 11%. The 2011 follows. ref AZ-AU17961 13.50 bottle 162 dozen ABC: Absolutely Brilliant Chardonnay! Even chardon-nay sayers are changing their tune when it comes to this classic grape. The pendulum has well and truly swung back the other way and no wonder given the quality and diversity now coming out of Oz. This clutch of chardonnays offers a great insight into the fresh new modern styles that are gaining accolades around the world. Do try. Bleasdale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016 One of the best-value chardonnays I taste each year. Made by South Australian expert Paul Hotker from cool-climate Adelaide Hills fruit, the 2016 has just a touch of flint on the nose, with crisp lemon and green-apple flavours and a subtle hint of toasty French oak just noticeable on the refreshing finish. A really versatile foodie wine that would be lovely with a mild Thai fish or tofu curry. Now to 2021. 12.5% ref AZ-AU19741 10.95 bottle 131 dozen NEW Tyrrell s Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2016 A full-bodied yet refreshing Aussie chardonnay from this outstanding producer, offering plenty of green-apple and stone-fruit flavours, supported by smart French oak, plus a touch of flint, lemon and wax on the long finish. Now to 2021. 12% ref AZ-AU20251 13.95 bottle 167 dozen See the back page for four mixed cases The Society s Exhibition Tasmanian Chardonnay 2016 Made exclusively for The Society by Claudio Radenti of Freycinet, this has great elegance typical of Tasmania. Lovely balance and freshness to the juicy citrus flavours with attractive texture and mineral notes on the finish. Serious chardonnay. Now to 2022. 13.5% ref AZ-AU20141 16 bottle 192 dozen Paringa Peninsula Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2016 A classic style of Mornington chardonnay, with a vibrant perfume of baked apples and baking spice, pear and stone-fruit on the mediumbodied palate and a touch of brioche on the finish. Elegant and fine. Now to 2020. 14% ref AZ-AU20111 22 bottle 264 dozen Leeuwin Prelude Margaret River Chardonnay 2016 Classic and classy, fine Australian chardonnay which possesses power, harmony and some of the country s most skilful winemaking. Aged carefully in high-quality French oak, this has great green-apple and lemon flavours with a well-balanced touch of toast on the bright finish. Now to 2025. 13.5% ref AZ-AU20831 26.50 bottle 318 dozen Mac Forbes RS13 Strathbogie Ranges Riesling 2016 Excellent riesling from Victoria with a pure lemon-and-lime perfume and great concentration on the palate. Just off-dry, but well balanced by the bright acidity and mineral complexity that develops on the finish. Now to 2022. 10.5% ref AZ-AU19841 16.50 bottle 198 dozen Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2017 A world-class riesling, fresh, bone-dry and concentrated with lemon-peel and flint flavours that last on the long elegant finish. A wine with real tension that will cellar excellently, although it can be enjoyed young. Now to 2033. 12.7% ref AZ-AU20491 26 bottle 312 dozen Tyrrell s Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon 2011 The 2011 growing season was marked by a cool spring that allowed the grapes for this great wine to retain superb natural freshness and develop delicate aromas. A dry and warm end to harvest brought the grapes on well, resulting in a vintage that is delicious now, but which has all the hallmarks to age well too. An intense wine with plenty of lemon notes and candle-wax complexity and a long finish. Now to 2025. 11.5% ref AZ-AU18821 29 bottle 348 dozen In 2011 the Hunter Valley saw a cool spring allowing the grapes to retain superb natural freshness
MIXED CASES FREE UK DELIVERY Bankable Aussie 95 Reds Case A crowd and palate-pleasing collection of a variety of styles and grapes showcasing this country s strengths A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following wines: The Society s Australian Shiraz 2016 Weirs Lane Parker Estate Limestone Coast Cabernet-Merlot 2015 Victory Hotel Australian Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 d Arenberg McLaren Vale Red Ochre 2015 Madfish Western Australian Pinot Noir 2016/2017 ref AZ-MX1897 Bankable Aussie 95 Whites Case Refreshing fridge-door favourites and uniquely Australian gifts to the wine world, this case gives you plenty of options for the warmer days ahead. A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following wines: The Society s Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 Victory Hotel Australian Chardonnay-Semillon 2017 The Society s Australian Chardonnay 2017 Blind Spot Clare Valley Riesling 2017 d Arenberg McLaren Vale White Ochre 2017 Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2017 ref AZ-MX1898 Key - bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap new vintage Australian Top Dozen 89 SAVE 6.35 Try one of each of my top picks from across this great wineproducing nation. A 12-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following wines: The Society s Australian Shiraz 2016 Weirs Lane Parker Estate Limestone Coast Cabernet-Merlot 2015 Victory Hotel Australian Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz 2016 Madfish Western Australian Pinot Noir 2016/2017 The Society s Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 Victory Hotel Australian Chardonnay-Semillon 2017 The Society s Australian Chardonnay 2017 Blind Spot Clare Valley Riesling 2017 d Arenberg McLaren Vale White Ochre 2017 Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2017 ref AZ-MX1899 Australian Classics 115 A collection of six of the best from my travels, tastings and our archive stocks to savour now or watch develop further. A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following wines: Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Tamar Ridge Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2014 Peter Lehmann H & V Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 The Society s Exhibition McLaren Vale GSM 2015 Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2017 Leeuwin Prelude Margaret River Chardonnay 2016 ref AZ-MX18100 This offer is available until Sunday 6th May, 2018 while stocks last. Uncork with confidence The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise To order thewinesociety.com/australia 01438 741177 OF THE YEAR 2017