James Halliday – "A 52/48% blend of Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale (Blewitt Springs) fruit. The two components are separately fermented but blended soon after the end of fermentation; matured for 16 months in French hogsheads. A fascinating blend, with major synergy, as each component takes centre stage, but the dusty/chocolate/fine/savoury notes prevail. This is a mighty $25 wine." - James Halliday (Halliday Wine Companion)
James Halliday – “Taut. Playful. Fruit-focused and bright. A wine for Friday night pasta and Sunday barbecues. Wild cherries. Classical tones." - Toni Paterson, The Wine Companion
The Wine Front – “Mostly dark fruit with pepper and dark chocolate. Just a hint of vanilla, sage, peppermint and a sweet note of a ripe raspberry. There’s something simple and pure about this wine, it just hits the spot. It’s energetic with bright acidity and a distinctly bitter finish. Bitter like fruit skin and ground coffee. The good bitter. There’s a fair bit of drying powdery tannin, too. Even though it could use a bit more time in bottle, it’s cohesive and entirely pleasant now.” - Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
James Halliday – “Any red wine of the 2021 vintage is by definition better than any offering from ’20, it with no more than a handful of Hunter Valley shiraz wines that dared to make the point. This is a wine with a 20-plus year future, firm, earthy black fruits not requiring a 'thank god' finish.” - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 202
The Wine Front – “It’s meaty and fragrant. Wow, the taste, the mouthfeel is impressive. It’s full in flavour but subtle and it builds it up towards the end. Raspberries, blood, rosemary, sage, dark chocolate with caramel bits and salt flakes. The structure is complete with the front perfume, mid-palate weight and a long finale, it has velvety tannins, firm acidity and plush, fleshy body. So very well made, pure fruit and poise.” - Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
James Halliday – "A single-vineyard shiraz made from the fruit of 53-year-old vines; hand-picked and cold soaked for 48 hours, spending a further 9 days on skins, matured for 16 months in French hogsheads (25% new). Release May ’23 after further maturation in bottle. Lovely hue and depth, the bouquet full of plum and blackberry verging on outright perfume, the palate taking no prisoners with its power and purity, the aftertaste long lasting. Sheer class, and not afraid to flaunt its wares."
- James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2024
James Halliday – "From old vines on the Pokolbin Estate vineyard, the Kiss label is the flagship of Thomas Wines, made simply to focus on the quality of the grapes, albeit with some new oak support. Many of the '17 Hunter Valley shirazes have 'closed, call back later' signs plastered on them - not this wine, it welcomes you to taste it, lips generously open." - James Halliday, Winecompanion.com.au
The Wine Front – “Smells serious. Layers of oak spice, elegant, balancing on savoury and sweet. Violets and cherry blossoms, plums and blackberries. Velvety rose petals. The texture is velvety too with fine building tannins and a bitter fold right after subtle, succulent sweetness. Fresh black pepper spice comes at the end and tingles in the front palate. Very elegant expression that will cellar well and merge all the nuances smoothly with more time.” - Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
James Halliday – “A blend of Kiss and Sweetwater Shiraz taken from selected barrels of each wine, and matured in French hogsheads (35% new). Excellent colour, with a savoury/spicy edge to the fruit. Its palate drives the core of the wine, with purple and black fruits before a return of some savoury notes to the finish. Decades of life for a very high-quality wine. Aspires to and achieves elegance.” - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au
James Suckling – “A very complex shiraz with sweet green tobacco, green olives and plums on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit, fine tannins and bright acidity. Vivid and focused. Very Cote-Rotie inspired here. Fine and vivid. Drink or hold.”- James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Hunter Valley stands as a testament to Australia's wine heritage, boasting a wine-making history that spans over 180 years. This picturesque region, adorned with rolling hills and meandering vineyards, lies north of Sydney, making it an accessible paradise for wine enthusiasts. Its unique climate, characterized by warm, humid summers and cool winters, contributes to the distinctive flavors found in its wines. Semillon, the region's flagship varietal, ages gracefully, evolving from zesty lemon-lime notes to rich honeyed textures over time. Meanwhile, its Shiraz wines, though less famous than their South Australian counterparts, offer a delectable balance of fruit and spice. Beyond these, Chardonnay and Verdelho also have a strong presence, showcasing the diversity and adaptability of this iconic region.
Hunter Valley is situated in the southeastern part of Australia, more specifically in New South Wales. Just a couple of hours' drive to the north of Sydney, it's perfectly positioned for both locals and tourists alike, offering a scenic getaway that's not too far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its fertile lands stretch across a vast expanse, with the Brokenback Range mountains providing a majestic backdrop. The region's geography, coupled with its climate, crafts an ideal environment for viticulture. The Hunter River, from which the valley gets its name, winds its way through the region, giving life to the rich soils that have been the foundation for wine-making endeavors for nearly two centuries.
Absolutely! Hunter Valley is renowned for producing high-quality wines, many of which are internationally recognized. Thanks to its diverse microclimates, the region can produce a wide array of varietals. While some premium wines, particularly aged Semillons or limited edition releases, can command higher prices, there are plenty of mid-range and entry-level options that offer exceptional value for their cost. This balance of quality and affordability makes Hunter Valley wines a favorite among both connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers.
Hunter Valley's distinction lies in its rich wine-making heritage, its unique climatic conditions, and its commitment to innovation. It's one of Australia's oldest wine regions, and its traditions are deeply rooted, with some vineyards tracing their lineage back to the 1800s. The terroir here is truly unique: the combination of loamy soils, warm summers, and the cooling influence of the coastal breezes lead to wines that are expressive and characteristic of the region. Additionally, while Hunter Valley embraces its history, it's not bound by it. Winemakers in the region continually experiment, pushing boundaries to create fresh and innovative wines.
Hunter Valley is best known for its Semillon, a grape varietal that produces wines noted for their longevity, evolving flavor profiles, and remarkable freshness. Young Hunter Valley Semillons often present lively citrus notes, but as they age, they develop rich, honeyed flavors that are highly sought after. The region's Semillons are often considered benchmarks for the varietal globally. However, Hunter Valley isn't a one-trick pony. It also produces commendable Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Verdelho wines, each with their unique expressions.
Identifying the "best" wines from Hunter Valley can be subjective, as it often depends on individual palates. However, some universally recognized standouts include the aged Semillons, which garner praise for their transformation from zesty and crisp wines to deep, complex offerings over time. The region's Shiraz wines, characterized by their balanced fruit and spice profiles, are also lauded. Many estates and wineries have received awards and accolades over the years. Some notable names include Tyrrell's, Brokenwood, and McWilliam's, among others. Each of these offers a range of wines that showcase the very best of what Hunter Valley has to offer.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.