In commemoration of the year Samual McWilliams planted his first vines, 1877 is a national flagship, crafted from the best fruit of vintage. The choicest parcels of estate grown Shiraz are sourced from superior mature vines on the original McWilliams plantings at Barwang among the Hilltops. Since inaugural release, 1877 has accumulated a breathtaking list of wine show trophy wins and countless gold medals. A wine of immense power and drive, its refined line of tannin holding it all together in an act of balance and precision.

$7499each $899DOZEN EACH DOZEN McWilliams 1877 represents a no expenses spared approach by one of the nation's most accomplished and enduring winemakers. Grapes are all picked by hand throughout the cool of early morning. Small parcels of the best and boldest Shiraz are crushed and cold soaked in open top fermenters for three days, a third are included as whole bunches. Batches gently warm before inoculation to choice yeasts, hand plunged on skins over the course of a fortnight. Upon completion, batches are gently pressed and racked to a high proportion of new French oak puncheons and hogsheads for ten months maturation on fine lees. Components are assembled in January and treated to a light fining prior to bottling.

Vibrant red purple hues. Bright fruits of dark cherry, pepper and charcuturie, coupled with lifted florals and fresh toasty nutmeg oak. Medium bodied, brightly lit acidity and fine slatey tannins, perfumed fruits and meatiness continue to evolve. An immense, powerful palate in complete balance and harmony, judicious oak matches the boldness of fruit, before a long plush finish.

Peter Robertson was a Lancaster gunner during World War II. Over the course of thirty missions, he was introduced to wine by his pilot, John Seppelt of Great Western. Robertson turned to farming after the war and planted the Hilltops first vines in 1969. Robertson's Barwang property has since produced some of the most memorable vintages. Parcels from two elite blocks are vinified into a richly concentrated, classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon, showing great length of black fruit flavours, olives, currants and eucalypt, over a structure of elegant oak and sound tannins, a wine of opulence and grace.

$3999each $477DOZEN EACH DOZEN

$3999each $479DOZEN EACH DOZEN

$2699each $323DOZEN EACH DOZEN

$6499each $779DOZEN EACH DOZEN

$2699each $323DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Moppity have claimed many conspicuous accolades at national wine shows and international competitions. Their property sits at the highest elevation of the Hilltops region, its distinguished vines are among the eldest in the area, the source of fruit for many memorable vintages including the 2009 Jimmy Watson winner. Lock & Key is Moppity's entry level effort, a pure single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from mature, low yielding vines, fashioned to be approachable and satisfying for early drinking.

$1899each $227DOZEN EACH DOZEN The Hilltops climate is cool to moderate, Moppity's vines are planted to dark red volcanic granitic clays, impregnated with basalt. Summer rainfall is low such that vine vigour can be readily controlled to optimise the quality of fruit. A long, even ripening period supports flavour development and underpins the intensity of the wines. Although early spring frost is an issue in the district, Moppity Vineyard is sited on undulating terrain, ensuring adequate frost drainage. Cabernet grapes are treated to a cold soak for the extraction of flavours, colour and tannin, followed by a fortnight of fermentation and a term of maturation in a selection of seasoned and new, French oak hogsheads and barriques.

Vibrant purple colour. Lifted dark berries with hints of mint and dried herbs. Palate displays a varietal integrity which belies its pricepoint. Packed with blackcurrant, cedar and forest fruits and a tannin structure that elevates it from the plethora of early drinking Cabernets. A very generous and stylish wine with beautiful balance that delivers incredible value for money, pair it off with lamb, oregano and roast vegetables.

Moppity are all about good wine from good fruit, selection of site is paramount and uncompromising standards of viticulture are essential. Lock & Key have embarrassed some pretty big names at conspicuous national wine show competitions, establishing Hilltops as the rising star growing appellation for Australian Shiraz. A rich, totally mouth filling wine with a deep, dark colour that's characteristic of Hilltops Shiraz. The palate is intense and concentrated, with loads of ripe dark berry, pepper and spiced cherry plum flavours.

$1899each $227DOZEN EACH DOZEN Moppity Vineyard is a noteworthy producer of superfine Hilltops Shiraz and contributed fruit for the 2009 Jimmy Watson winner. Moppity's 170 acre property sits at the highest elevation in the Hilltops region and it's vines are among the eldest. There are multiple clones of each variety, including five clones of Shiraz, all featuring their own distinct characteristics. The advantage is a tremendous diversity in wine style depending on site, aspect, soil type and clone. Shiraz grapes are treated to a cold soak for the extraction of tannin, colours and flavour, followed by several days of ferment and a term of maturation in a selection of seasoned French oak hogsheads and barriques.

Deep, dark purple/ red in colour. Aromatic, perfumed, spicy with sweet red berry and cherry nuances. A soft and seamless, medium bodied, savoury expression of graphite and dark cherry, blackberry and a little briar, the palate is followed by fine acidity and drive, the freshness of fruit being a standout trait of this stylish, eminently drinkable Shiraz.

$2399each $287DOZEN EACH DOZEN

$2399each $287DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Indentifiably Hunter Valley Shiraz from a number of well sheltered, higher altitude paddocks under the lee of Brokenback ranges. Fruit is destemmed into traditional open top fermenters for a fortnight's vinification, pressed into a mix of seasoned and new larger format French oak barrels and aged for fifteen months. A subtley structured style of elegant dark licorice fruit characters, seasoned by cinnamon and varietal black pepper, its silky mouthfeel, balance and length are supported by soft velvety tannins and framed by a delicacy of gentle nutmeg, carob oak.

$3399each $407DOZEN EACH DOZEN

Maurice O'Shea Shiraz is made from vines over a hundred and twenty years of age, planted by the estate's original proprietor, Charles King. A smaller portion is sourced from eighty years old rootstock on the adjoining Old Paddock Vineyard, planted by legendary winemaker Maurice O'Shea, who recognised the special characteristics and longevity of Hunter Valley wines. One of the nation's great wines, Maurice O'Shea once outscored Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace to be the highest rating Shiraz in the Halliday Wine Companion.

$23599each $2831DOZEN EACH DOZEN Hand picked grapes are crushed and cold soaked over twenty four hours to extract maximum colour and flavour. The juices are inoculated with a neutral yeast to initiate vinification, which takes place in open fermentation tanks. Half way through fermentation the cap was headed down to achieve maximum extraction. The wine was then pressed to finish primary and malolactic fermentation in barrel. Once complete, Maurice O'Shea is aged in a selection of the finest quality, exclusively French oak barriques for up to eighteen months. During maturation the wine is racked and returned twice to build complexity in the middle palate, mellow the tannins and allow the sweet berry fruit to emerge.

A medium intensity red with bright crimson hues. Generous primary fruit aromas of plums, raisin and raspberries with complex nuances of paprika, pepper and smoky chocolate oak. A medium weight palate dominated by a melange of ripe red raspberry and plums. Maurice O'Shea is dense with sweet fruits and ripe fruit tannin, generous, fine grained vanillin oak and hints of spicy paprika, forming layers of complexity. A fine, elegantly structured, classic Hunter Shiraz.