Grove Estate The Cellar Block Shiraz Viognier 2015
Style: Red Wine
Closure: Screwcap
Grove Estate The Cellar Block Shiraz Viognier 2015
Camberwell
Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia
Critic Score: 95
Alcohol: 13.0%
Size: 750 ml
Drink by: 2030
Grove Estate Wines is located just four kilometres out of Young, in the heart of the beautiful Hilltops region of New South Wales. The high altitude vineyard, established in 1989 by Brian and Suellen Mullany, is planted to over 50 hectares of vines. Grove Estate has quietly built an international following for its range of exceptional cool-climate wines made exclusively from estate-grown fruit. Its signature range includes several Italian varieties - Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Barbera - as well as the current flagship, The Cellar Block Shiraz Viognier. The wines, made by Tim Kirk of Clonakilla and Bryan Martin of Ravensworth, have received critical acclaim at many wine shows in Australia and overseas.
"Stylish and spotless, this mouthwatering medium-bodied red has a voluminous, musky and floral perfume of violets, cassis, blackberries and raspberries underpinned by scents of fresh cedar/chocolate oak and backed by earthy, meaty aspects. It's long and gentle, smooth and fine-grained, with a charmingly intense length of pristine black and red fruit flavours and tight-knit oak framed by a fine, crunchy extract and culminating in a refreshing acidity. Wonderfully fully poised and balanced." Jeremy Oliver
"Aromatically expressive and beautifully poised, the 2015 vintage opens with lifted notes of black cherry, blueberry, and ripe plum, subtly laced with hints of white pepper, violet, and a trace of apricot blossom from the co-fermented Viognier. The palate is richly textured and vibrant, showcasing layers of dark forest fruits, red liquorice, and exotic spice. Elegant oak integration adds depth and savoury nuance, while fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide balance and structure. There’s a harmonious tension between generosity and finesse, making for a long, supple, and refined finish. Stylistically reminiscent of the Northern Rhône, this wine offers immediate charm yet promises further complexity with time in bottle. A compelling expression of cool-climate Shiraz with a distinct Hilltops character. Enjoy now or cellar confidently to 2027." Winery Notes
Expert reviews
National Wine Show of Australia 2016 - 95 points
"Very spicy, peppery and slightly forward aromas; fragrant, whole-bunchy, elegant wine with very fine tannins. Violet floral nuances. Lovely elegant style. Drink: 2016–2031." Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 94 points
"Stylish and spotless, this mouthwatering medium-bodied red has a voluminous, musky and floral perfume of violets, cassis, blackberries and raspberries underpinned by scents of fresh cedar/chocolate oak and backed by earthy, meaty aspects. It's long and gentle, smooth and fine-grained, with a charmingly intense length of pristine black and red fruit flavours and tight-knit oak framed by a fine, crunchy extract and culminating in a refreshing acidity. Wonderfully fully poised and balanced. Drink: 2023-2027+." Jeremy Oliver - 94 points
"Includes 4% co-fermented viognier, 12 days on skins, matured for 10 months in French oak (20% new). Has all the joyously juicy red fruits of co-fermented shiraz viognier grown in a cool climate, fine tannins and subtle French oak adding gentle complexity. It doesn't matter whether you drink this medium-bodied wine now or in 10+ years time. Drink by 2029." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 92 points
Awards
Gold Medal - 2016 Australian Small Winemakers Show
About the winery
Grove Estate Wines is located just four kilometres out of Young, in the heart of the beautiful Hilltops region of New South Wales. The vineyard was established in 1989 by Brian and Suellen Mullany, on the site where Croatian settlers first planted vines in 1866, using vine cuttings they brought with them from Dalmatia.
The vineyard’s red volcanic loam over decomposed granite, combined with its elevated position at 550 metres above sea level, creates ideal conditions for growing premium cool-climate grapes. Cool nights encourage slow ripening and the development of refined aromatics and elegant structure in the fruit.
Since 1989, over 50 hectares of vines have been planted on the property, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel, Barbera, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Semillon and Nebbiolo. One of the original pickers’ huts was refurbished as the cellar door in 1999.
In 1997, Grove Estate decided to keep a small parcel of fruit and produce a wine under its own label, the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, Grove Estate has quietly built an international following for its range of exceptional cool-climate wines made exclusively from estate-grown fruit. Its signature range, which speaks clearly of origin, includes several Italian varieties - Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Barbera - as well as the current flagship, The Cellar Block Shiraz Viognier.
Tim Kirk of Clonakilla and Bryan Martin of Ravensworth make the wines and, together with viticulturist Brian Mullany, they have produced a run of notable wines that have received critical acclaim at wine shows in Australia and overseas.
New South Wales
New South Wales is home to more than 500 wineries across 16 wine regions that produce a range of extremely diverse wines. The regions are Canberra District, Cowra, Gundagai, Hastings River, Hilltops, Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Murray Darling, New England, Orange, Perricoota, Riverina, Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven Coast, Swan Hill and Tumbarumba.
Hunter Valley is New South Wales' best known wine region and has long stolen much of the spotlight . It is also Australia’s oldest continuous wine region - the first vineyard at Wyndham Estate was established in 1828 using cuttings supplied by viticulturist James Busby, widely considered the father of Australian wine. Semillon is perhaps the most iconic wine of the Hunter Valley and is among the greatest and most distinctive wines of Australia - if not the world.
New South Wales' wine regions have a wide range of microclimates. The Great Dividing Range has a substantial influence on the climate of many of the viticultural areas. The regions of higher elevation, such as Canberra District, Canberra District, Orange and Tumbarumba have cooler climates with more continental influences. These regions are responsible for some of the State's most enticing chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, riesling and sauvignon blanc. They, together with the Hunter Valley, which by contrast, is very warm, with high humidity and a large amount of rainfall during the growing and harvest season, produce the bulk of the high quality wine in New South Wales.