GROVE ESTATE NEWS AND EVENTS

The critics view of the 2006 Grove Shiraz Viognier Reserve:
"...fragrant and stone-fruit scented: there's apricot , fruitcake and some new kid leatheriness. Has flesh and juice and smoke in the mouth: stone-fruit tangy with forest berry pips. Lean, chewy and dry with raisin sourdough to close. Has juice and raisin at the back. This is smart. 95/100. Buy it now."
Tim White, The Australian Financial Review, August 4, 2007

THE PENGUIN GOOD AUSTRALIAN WINE GUIDE 2009 by Nick Stock:
2007 Grove Estate The Cellar Block Shiraz Viognier - Score 94
"This fragrant Shiraz Viognier shows visions and insight in its making. Very complex fine spice and pepper aromas, some whole bunch dark chocolate notes and dark cherry fruit. Savoury tannins back intense fruit presence, the palate's really focused and driven. Complex texture, dark minerals and meaty ferment characters; very young, dense and Cornas-like. Terrific."

2006 Grove Estate Reserve Nebbiolo - Score 93
"The Grove Estate folks reckon that this Italian varietal is a shoe-in for the Hilltops region. This reserve bottling from2006 is all they need to show to convince any sceptics: Musk and rose petals, rich cherry fruits and fine dense array of chewy delicious tannin. Finishes long and fades slowly. Superb."

2007 Grove Estate The Wombat Way Viognier - Score 90
"The first Viognier release from this Hilltops producer is a waxy, soft stone fruit affair, with cooler ginger at the edges and attractive apricot fruits. The palate heads straight down the middle line of richness and balance, some grippy phenolics through the finish and plenty of savoury complexity."

CELLAR PRESS by David Cumming:
"VIOGNIER is a relatively new variety in Australia. It is mostly planted in the Rhone region of France, where it almost became extinct - in 1965 there was less than 10 acres known to be planted.

This has since changed and many Australian winemakers now have viognier in their vineyards. They use it to make a straight white varietal, as well as co-ferment a small amount in shiraz, in order to soften the wine and add an extra dimension to the bouquet.

The Grove Estate 'Wombat Way' Viognier 2007 is a dry white, with grapefruit, citrus and spice aromas complemented by subtle lees and oak characters. The palate is quite grippy, with some tartness and viscosity. A good food wine."

Chris Shanahan's Top Drops: Sunday Canberra Times 24/8/2008
"The light, fresh and lovely semillon's my favourite of the whites - but there's also a handy oak-fermented chardonnay and the exotic, dry Wombat Way Viognier, sourced, as the name suggests, from a vineyard near the village of Wombat...

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS with Kerry Skinner: Illawarra Mercury 3/9/2008
"You'll go a long way to find a better example of this classic Italian variety than a Grove Estate Reserve Nebbiolo 2006, which can be traced back to the 13th century. The fruit was sourced from the cool climate Hilltops region of NSW where the variety thrives.

It's brimming with upfront cherry and black berry fruit, integrated savoury characters and its traditional bold tannins. Drink it with beef casserole.