Château Tanunda releases its 2024 collection
On Wednesday, Drinks Trade attended the launch event of the Château Tanunda 2024 collection. The new range features 12 unique expressions of the Barossa valley, subdivided into its Single Vineyard, Terroirs of the Barossa, Old Vine Expressions, and Everest ranges.
Upon the launch, Château Tanunda’s Managing Director Michelle Geber said, ‘’I’m incredibly proud to present this year’s Collection release. These wines are a testament to the lifelong dedication of my family, particularly my father, who has poured his heart into rebuilding the Château and shaping it into the Australian wine icon it is today.”
New to the Château Tanunda collection for 2024 is the 150 Year Old Vines Grenache 2019.
“The wines featured in this year’s Collection are truly exceptional and I am thrilled to introduce for the first time our 150 Years Old Grenache, a wine of remarkable distinction that perfectly embodies our heritage and commitment to excellence,’’ said Michelle Geber.
The Grenache spent 18 months in mostly-used French oak (20% new) prior to time spent ageing in bottle prior to release. According to Chief Winemaker Neville Rowe, the Eden Valley plot the grapes were source from is “one of the most unique single vineyard sites in the world.
“Fruit for our 150 Year Old Vines Grenache comes from the Stonegarden Vineyard in the Eden Valley. These vineyards were planted in 1858 and are the Noah’s ark of vineyard plantings in Australia.”
Another point of discussion at the tasting was in relation to the diversity of Barossa Valley’s wine production. Estate Manager Mitch McKenzie commented that, if the Barossa Valley hadn’t earned a reputation for Shiraz it would’ve likely earned a reputation for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Château Tanunda’s 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 and Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 stood as testament to this.
The final wine of the tasting was the latest vintage release of Château Tanunda’s flagship, The Everest Shiraz 2020.
A dense and powerful styled wine, expect ripe dark fruit and cocoa notes atop spicy oak. Château Tanunda says to drink its flagship expression from 2025 up to 2050.
Reflecting on the release, Managing Director Michelle Geber said, “since its inaugural vintage of 2005 was crowned the ‘Best Shiraz in the World’ [at the IWSC 2010], The Everest is truly the pinnacle of winemaking at Château Tanunda.”
Proprietor John Geber added, “these rare, collectible wines are highly sought after from vineyards that have been continually producing exceptional wines for 50, 100 and 150 years.”
For more information read this Drinks Trade article.
Old Fat Unicorn reveals two ex-whisky barrel-aged reds
Old Fat Unicorn, a wine brand owned by Endeavour Group’s Pinnacle Drinks, has announced two new products to its line-up, both of which have been aged in former whisky barrels prior to bottling. The use of whisky barrels for at least 25% of the blend imparts distinctive notes of vanilla and caramel to the final wines.
The release, which includes a Barossa Shiraz and a Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, is being bottled as part of Old Fat Unicorn’s Golden Horn range.
According to Winemaker Brittany John, “this Old Fat Unicorn wine includes portions finished in used whisky barrels giving the wine an interesting flavour twist. The old whisky barrels impart nuances of caramel and malt with a hint of aromatic spice, adding another dimension to these rich and textured wines.”
The Golden Horn Whisky Barrel Barossa Shiraz 2022 and the Golden Horn Whisky Barrel Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 are available now from BWS for $24 and Dan Murphy’s for $18.99. For more information, click here.
Read more in this Drinks Trade article.
Taylors Wines launches Aromatiques collection
Taylors Wines has launched a new collection of premium South Australian wines in bottles designed with deliberate fashion appeal. Included in the range is the Aromantiques GSM, Rosé, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.
The four wines were made by Taylor’s Chief Winemaker Adam Eggins, who described the approach to crafting the wine as slightly different to normal.
“It’s both a visual and sensory-driven journey when you experience a glass of The Aromantiques,” he said.
Self-described as ‘artisan crafted aromatic wines,’ the four new offerings in the range feature sleek bottles with glass corks that command significant shelf presence. All four wines are also vegan friendly.
