Each new edition of Halliday Wine Companion showcases the best of Australian wine, and it also introduces some of the best new wineries in the country. It's important to note that a winery classified as new might not be new to the world but it is the first time the winery has submitted to the Companion.
Below, we get to know Notes Wines, Drury Lane Estate, and Winmark Wines, their flagship drops and how best to enjoy them.
NV Notes Wine Spirited Viognier
A spiritous take on a classic variety – this wine captures the essence of the viognier grape, which is known for its generous stone-fruit characters and subtle spice. Matured for 36 months in small seasoned oak barrels, allowing time for the spirit to mellow while maintaining freshness and vitality. The result is a truly special wine which encapsulates the lovely rich flavours and natural sweetness of late-picked viognier. On the nose, orange blossom, apricot, iced tea, pear, fresh dates, with hints of Christmas cake spice. The palate is smooth and luscious with notes of orange zest and butterscotch.Winemaker Tom Shanahan says: The Spirited Viognier exudes a toasty warmth and gives you that ‘Christmassy’ feeling all year round. It also makes the perfect night cap wine.
H. What can you tell us about Notes Wine?
TS. We make small-batch, hand-crafted wines that are immensely drinkable.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
TS. Our Spirited Viognier pairs perfectly with blue cheese. You can also serve it over vanilla ice cream (a team favourite at Notes!), drink it neat or over ice, or use it in cocktails. Yum!
RRP $45 | Drink to 2031 | noteswine.com.au
2022 Drury Lane Estate Semillon
Pithy lemon and talc carried by a subtle crispness, allowing for approachability and length, with a citrus-y aroma of freshly picked lemons and limes and a bright aquamarine hue.Co-founder Alexandra Scott says: Deliciously clean, fresh and moreish, this 2022 Semillon is our most awarded wine. Made from 30-year-old vines atop a limestone base, with a very reasonable price tag, this is a perfect drink now wine, but will cellar for up to 10 years with ease.
H. What can you tell us about Drury Lane Estate?
AS. Drury Lane Estate produces honest, authentic wines that are meticulously grown and made to drink with the people you love. Planted 30 years ago, our award-winning old vines cultivate not only Hunter Valley pride, but also abundant and flavourful wines that are easy to drink and impossible to forget.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
AS. Being a modern semillon, this wine pairs well with Asian cuisine, seafood, chicken dishes, and pasta with white-based sauce. It's a great wine for all year round.
RRP $30 | Drink 2032 | drurylane.com.au
2021 Winmark Wines Single Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay
Night-harvested and pressed to French oak for fermentation and 11 months maturation with extended lees contact. As with all the Winmark wines, there is attention to detail: here, and with its sibling 7 2 Chardonnay 2021, oak does play a significant role, joining the white peach and cashew on the long palate. – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion.Owner Karin Adcock says: The sibling to our flagship Icon 72 Chardonnay – this is our go to wine right now. Rated 95 points, this wine is drinking superbly yet way ahead of its peak. The cashew and white peach characters are just beginning to shine.
H. What can you tell us about Winmark Wines?
KA. Winmark, which is Danish for 'field of wines', is a nod to the remarkable revival of the historical Poole’s Rock Vineyard, the restoration of the 130-acre Hunter Valley property and my Danish Heritage. For half a century, the vineyard has grown exceptional fruit with a proud history of producing highly acclaimed chardonnay. We have devoted the entire estate to chardonnay.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
KA. Our Single Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay is ideally enjoyed at Winmark’s chardonnay long lunch, which is held each May at our vineyard in Broke. At the annual long lunch, our wines are shared with friends and superb food. If you can't make it, of course drinking the 2021 now at home is a great alternative as it's drinking superbly.
RRP $55 | Drink to 2030 | winmarkwines.com.au
