Four Pillars Bloody Pinot Noir Gin 2024
Four Pillars has announced the return of its Bloody Pinot Noir gin for 2024 after the debut vintage 2023 release sold out within a week.
“When we had some early rain in the season, we weren’t quite sure we’d be able to pull it off, but lo and behold, 2024 is pretty bloody good Pinot,” said Cameron Mackenzie, Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Four Pillars.
“It also helps we don’t just get grapes from one place. We source from a couple of vineyards and use multiple clones to get a more complex gin at the end. The only downside is we can only get so much of it!”
Bloody Pinot Noir 2024 is also the first expression of Four Pillars red wine gin including partial whole-bunches. The grapes were then left to steep in high-proof Rare Dry Gin for around seven weeks.
Limited numbers of Bloody Pinot Noir 2024 will be made available to the public from 13 August at $84 per bottle.
Read more in this Drinks Trade article.
Great Northern Long Run Premium Lager
Carlton & United Breweries has announced a new addition to its Great Northern Brewing Co portfolio: the Great Northern Long Run Premium Lager.
The new beer, which has been launched exclusively to the Queensland market, seeks to cater to customer demand for premium alternatives.
“Lots of Great Northern drinkers have told us they are keen for a premium beer, so we’re looking forward to bringing Long Run to pubs and clubs across Queensland and seeing customers raising this soon-to-be iconic bottle,” said Ian Giles, QLD State Manager of Carlton & United Breweries.
“The premium beer market is growing as drinkers’ preferences change so the launch of Long Run is perfectly timed to meet the needs of Queenslanders looking to celebrate in style.”
The new beer is available statewide in Queensland now at an RRP of $25 per 6-pack and $67 per case of 24.
Golden Bickie Australian Whisky Liqueur
NED Australian Whisky, the whisky brand produced by Top Shelf International, has announced a new whisky liqueur: Golden Bickie presented by NED.
“We wanted to create a whisky liqueur that was truly Australian in character,” said Trent Fraser, CEO at Top Shelf International.
“Golden Bickie captures the essence of Aussie comfort – sunshine, good company, and a touch of indulgence. It’s fitting of our mission statement to create world class spirits with an Australian accent and playfulness.”
More information can be found in this Drinks Trade article.
Fourth Wave Wine launches In the Middle, a premium mid-strength wine brand
Fourth Wave Wine – the group responsible for leading wine brands such as Tread Softly, Little Giant, Elephant in the Room, Fram Hand, Plus & Minus, and The Hero – has launched In The Middle, a premium mid-strength wine brand that seeks to cater to the growing proportion of wine consumers looking to moderate their alcohol intake.
The five wine release includes the In the Middle Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Chardonnay, all of which have an abv of between 6% and 7%.
According to Fourth Wave Wine’s Marketing Manager Indeya Passfield, “the mid-strength wine category is going from strength to strength, and In the Middle allows consumers to enjoy a wine at lunch or other occasions with confidence in a lighter choice.”
All of the In The Middle wines are available nationwide now for $16.
Tasted: Riddoch Coonawarra’s 2024 Collection
Drinks Trade staff had the chance to trial the four wines in Riddoch’s 2024 collection.
release. This is what the team thought about the wines:
Riddoch The Author Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($65)
“The flagship in the lineup, and it drinks like it. Real journey across the palate, starts with fresh blackberry blueberry, then morphs into plum and oak, dried cassis, spice, florals, cedar. Concentrated and powerful. Full bodied but still with some restraint.”
Riddoch The Author Shiraz 2021 ($65)
“Starts with a heavy dose of fresh berry fruit on nose and palate – high acid blackberry, blueberry, raspberry – though this hollows and mellows onto the mid palate. Spice, vanilla and florals overlayed and developing throughout. Strong acid backbone, with surprising freshness.”
Riddoch Vocation The Investor Merlot 2022 ($40)
“Loads of cherry, rounded plum, supported by berry fruit, dark choc, and subtle oak. Medium bodied, fresh and supple. A real approach and versatile wine.”
Riddoch Vocation The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($40)
“Manages to maintain a real elegance for what is quite a big and powerful cabernet. Fresh black and blue berry focus, overlaid with plum and subtle wood notes, spice, and slight cocoa. Great freshness from the acid vein.”
Reflecting on the Collection, Chief Winemaker Tim Heath said: “The Author Cabernet and Shiraz are made from old vine fruit deemed the best of the vintage. They are our peak expression of these top Coonawarra styles and will reward heavily those patient enough to cellar them. With The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon and The Investor Merlot, we’ve had a lot of fun invoking the varietal and regional personality through blending,”
