The Balgownie experience with Shiraz dates back to 1969, when the original vines were established on a carefully selected site at Maiden Gully near Bendigo. A backbone of local and estate grown Shiraz is vinified alongside components from good vineyards in central Victoria and Yarra Valley. The sturdy tannins and powerful ripe fruit flavours of Bendigo are enhanced by the spiced acidity and lighter plum character of vineyards further afield. A dash of Viognier contributes suppleness, alluring perfumes and a touch of apricot sweetness.

$1999each $237DOZEN EACH DOZEN For over forty years, Balgownie have continued to craft big bold Shiraz wines which have been flagships of the Bendigo region. The dedicated team subscribe to the philosophy that the finest quality wines can only be determined in the vineyard. Viticultural management practices aim to achieve a balance between vegetative growth and moderate yields. Healthy vines produce healthy, vibrant grapes which translate into well balanced and flavoursome vines. Balgownie have selected parcels of Shiraz from choice vineyards which can provide harvests of well ripened fruit exhibiting intense flavours and gracious tannins, retaining for inclusion only those which are true to the essential Balgownie style.

Deep rubly colour with opaque purple hues. Lifted bouquet of blackberries and plum fruit characters, a touch of mint with notes of spice and toasty oak. A vibrant, medium to full bodied Shiraz showing rich mocha/ berry/ chocolate flavours, the intense, ripe and plush lined palate expresses fruitcake and blood plum, steeped cherries, pepper and subtly complex spice, balanced by long fine tannins and refreshing acids. A deliciously ripe palate, full and intense, lightly framed by delicate oak, it closes on a long, satisfying finish.

Cabernet grapes, grown to the higher altitudes of good Yarra Valley vineyards enjoy long and favourable growing seasons, brought about by cooler climes. Such slower ripening conditions encourage layers of intense flavours and varietal complexity. This unlabelled Yarra Valley exhibits characters which reflect the influences of the region and skill of the winemaker. Outstanding value in a Cleanskin Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibiting ripe varietal blackberry and cassis flavours, gentle background oak and sleek tannins.

$999each $117DOZEN EACH DOZEN The Yarra Valley has been known to offer idyllic growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon since the middle of the nineteenth century. Vines were first planted in 1838 and viticulture spread rapidly. The earliest wines were so good that they were exported throughout the British Empire and gained much critical acclaim, particularly for Cabernet. The area was rediscovered as terre supérieure for Cabernet Sauvignon in the late 1960s whence the region was replanted. This cleanskin has been crafted by a notable Yarra Valley estate who probably never anticipated releasing it without a label. Oak maturation has enabled the wine to attain finer balance and complexity, whilst softening tannins and enhancing the fruit.

Deep cherry red hue. Aromas of sweet berries dominate the nose, varietal notes of violet and creme de cassis are matched by earth and herbaceousness, whisps of cocoa oak, the leafyness of tobacco and mint. Rich and full palate, it delivers varietal fruit, luscious black currant and cassis, the darkness of boysenberry, cosseted by clove oak and supported by firm tannins. Will compliment ripe hard cheese, rib steaks or game.

From parcels of fruit grown to choice vineyards in the premiere viticultural districts of Victoria. A style of Shiraz that is distinctly Yarra Valley, by a prominent winemaking estate, to surpass all expectations of what can be expected from a bottle without a label. Dominated by bright varietal fruit and lovely soft tannins, a medium bodied red wine with an attractive colour, alluring bouquet and mouthfilling palate. Representing excellent value, having developed complexity after a spell of ageing, its ripe and ready to enjoy today with all good faire.

$999each $117DOZEN EACH DOZEN The earliest pioneers were quick to recognize the Yarra Valley's idyllic winegrowing potential. An immensely satisfying style of wine, the philosophy here was to produce a fine, recognizably Yarra Valley Shiraz, elegant and assertive with good varietal fruit. Much of the work is achieved in the vineyard, by growing the right grapes at the right sites around the Yarra Valley. Then, it's all about attaining balance and texture, allowing the fruit to express itself. A combination of vinification techniques were employed to add complexity. Inoculated and vinified to select yeasts, the parcels were fermented, racked and transferred to barrel for maturation in a combination of tight grained, finely coopered oak barrels.

A deep crimson colour. Lifted aromas of plum and cherry, blackcurrant and cassis, cigarbox and spice. Scents of fresh ground pepper, violet and thyme precede a full, fleshy mouthfeel with ripe but yielding tannins. Characters of blueberry and plum, espresso and peppercorn line the plush, velvetine palate. Careful use of oak has added complexity and infused cocoa/ vanilla/ spice characters without dominating the vibrant fruit. The winemaker has captured the splendour of synergy between Shiraz and the Yarra Valley. A wine of balance and integration to accompany all cuisine, can be cellared for further development, but is ideally served today with meats and game, pizza and pasta or tasty cheese.

Coldstream Hills is the quintessential Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, gentle, complex and developed. A gamey, earthy proposition displaying all the requisite varietal characters, a stylish wine of varietal intensity, fine textures and great length of slowly ripened characters.

$2699each $321DOZEN EACH DOZEN Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by James and Suzanne Halliday. From its initial vintage of 450 cases it has grown to become one of Australia's leading small wineries with a reputation that belies its size. Situated in the cool Yarra Valley, its steep, closely planted vineyards have become a signature of the region. So too have its wines, most notably a Pinot Noir which reflects a clime cooler than Bordeaux and warmer than Burgundy. Hand picked grapes from low yielding vineyards in the Lower and Upper Yarra Valley are vinified to a variety of burgundian handling techniques, including whole bunch fermentation. Matured nine months in a selection of new and seasoned French oak barrels. Approx 14.0%

Medium red with vibrant purple hue. Fragrant cherry and blueberry fruit aromas with underlying gaminess and spice. Toasty oak adds further complexity to the wine's bouquet, but does not dominate. Vibrant fruit characters of cherry, strawberry and blueberry persisit on the juicy palate alongside stalky savoury notes of game, leaf and spice. An elegant medium bodied style with silky tannins and fine length to accompany, venison, hare and duck.

An overture of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the oldest De Bortoli vines in Yarra Valley. Fruit is sourced from two estate vineyards named Old Hill and Old Back, both planted in 1971. A rich red accord of seductive Cabernet Merlot aromas and supple leafy flavours over fine integrated tannins. Like her eponymous opera star, Melba is conspicuous for her alluring perfumes, exceptional taste and intense crescendo before an exquisite, memorable finish.

$3999each $477DOZEN EACH DOZEN Vines are cane pruned to twenty bunches each and shoot thinned at the ten to fifteen centimetre stage so that there are no more than fifteen per planting. Grapes are hand picked into 8kg buckets and transported to the winery. Fruit is destemmed, crushed and tipped into six tonnes open fermenters. The must undergoes a natural fermentation on skins at a minimum temperature of 25ºC, followed by a spell of twenty days maceration. The wine is pressed, settled overnight and gravity filled to new and used casks where it matures at 16º C over fourteen months. Alcohol 13.9%

Bright crimson red with traces of garnet. Fragrant seductive varietal aromas with a nuance of cigar box and leaf, rich and complex nose, leafiness and blueberry over a background of sweet earth and cedary oak. Full fleshy texture, sweet black and red fruit flavours with complex notes of dusty earth, leaf and dried herbs, fine grain, well integrated tannins before a long harmonious finish. Enjoy alongside roast pork or lamb.

A superb construct of Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted from three estate parcels of fully mature, low yielding vines, planted 1987, 1988 and 1991 at Dixon's Creek. A highly regional expression of Cabernet exhibiting profound varietal definition. The Victorian Cabernet of choice to accompany dry aged sirloin with truffled mash and greens.

$2499each $297DOZEN EACH DOZEN Vines are all cane pruned to twenty five bunches per vine, further shoot thinned at the 10-15cm stage to eighteen bunches per vine. The hand picked berries are placed in 8kg buckets and transported promptly to the De Bortoli wineworks. Bunches are destemmed, crushed and tipped into fourteen tonnes fermenters. Upon completion of ferments, batches are kept at a minimum of 25°C and left on skins for twenty days. Components are pressed, settled overnight and gravity filled to a selection of oak casks for a year's maturation at 16°C. The wine is then racked and gently aerated throughout the ageing every three to four months. Alcohol 12.5%

Deep vibrant red with purple hues. Complex aromas with tobacco and macerated pommace like fruit. Aromas of blueberry and bramble with underlying clove and leather characters. A fine, detailed, full bodied wine, plump and flavoursome with blackcurrant and spicy oak flavours, meaty mid-palate fruit flavours, fine grained tannins, structure, balance and excellent length of flavour.

From the exclusive Dixon's Creek vineyards, by the most progressive maker of Pinot Noir in Australia. Pinot Noir is tricky to handle. De Bortoli specialise in the development of flavour within the Pinot grape, whilst attaining balanced alcohol levels. A richly textured, elegant medium bodied wine with ripe aromas of red currants, red cherries and ripe raspberry.

$2799each $333DOZEN EACH DOZEN All fruit is harvested from four elite estate vineyards that are managed without the use of synthetic chemicals. Grapes are hand sorted before being destemmed and transferred by gravity into open fermenters. A natural inoculation ensues without the introduction of yeasts. After twenty one days ferment and maceration, batches are carefully drained to tank and allowed to rest for twenty four hours. The clear wine is then racked via gravity into a combination of new and prior use French oak casks where it is treated to ten months maturation. Alcohol 13.0%

Vibrant red with garnet hues. Elegant Pinot fruit aroma with red currants, cherry and raspberry over subtle spice and forest floor. Medium bodied, building weight across the palate, richly textured, long and fine with gentle but obvious tannin. A treat alongside European inspired recipes and all things duck.

There are no greater proponents of Yarra Valley Shiraz Viognier than De Bortoli. The winemaking team are passionate about this style of wine and their estate vineyards are trained to yield harvests of the finest fruit.

$2999each $357DOZEN EACH DOZEN Fruit is sourced from three estate vineyards planted in 1987, 1990 and 1994. Vines are cane pruned to eighteen bunches and shoot thinned so that there are no more than fifteen per vine. Grapes are hand picked into eight kilograms buckets and hand sorted. A combination of whole bunches, whole berries and crushed fruit is gravity tipped to open fermenters. Viognier is sorted and gravity tipped. The fruit is allowed to ferment naturally through indigenous yeast. Hand and foot plunging are employed to gently extract colour and flavour over a period of twenty days. The grapes are pressed and settled for twenty four hours before racking to cask for malolactic and ten months maturation. Alcohol 13.0%

Bright red in colour with purple edges. Fragrant and aromatic with strong graphite and white pepper characters. Rich spicy fruit with dark berries on the palate. Integrated ripe tannins, well structured with a supple feel and exotic complexity.

Pinot without peers, crafted from the most outstanding parcels of Yarra Valley fruit, grown to the superlative Dixon's Creek Vineyard. Smart handling techniques and a long natural fermentation on skins develop a palate of deep, sweet fruit which harmonises with acid intensity, moderate alcohol and the smoothest tannins.

$4599each $549DOZEN EACH DOZEN Fruit is hand picked from De Bortoli's oldest Pinot Noir vineyard, planted in 1971 and managed without the use of synthetic fungicides, pest or herbicides. The grapes are all hand sorted and destemmed before gravity transfer to open fermenters. Inoculation occurs naturally without the addition of yeast or use of temperature control. Following twenty one days maceration and fermentation the juices are drained to tank for a day of rest. The clear wine is then gravity racked to barrel for a course of malolatic which lasts up to five months. Treated to maturation in a combination of new and seasoned French oak casks before a gravity fed racking and bottling without filtration or fining.

Medium red with vibrant hue. Quite intense aromas of red currant, cherry and forest floor. Rich textured palate of medium weight and balanced tannins. Beautifully balanced and very fine, with a finish that fans out dryly in the most enticing manner. This is the perfect Pinot Noir to mate with that very French recipe of rabbit or escargot.

Parcels of the best Cabernet Sauvignon to be found anywhere in the Yarra Valley have been vinified alongside an equivalent component of fine Merlot.

$2199each $261DOZEN EACH DOZEN Great focus has been placed on the varied sub-soils and microclimates which are at the source of the wine. Choice vineyard parcels planted to river flats and terraces, some to the steepest altitudes along the Yarra Valley. From the more precipitous slopes, aspect is of great importance, those inclined to face the north are Diamond Valley's preferred sites. The salubrious soils on the northern side of the select blocks are blessed with magnificent Merlot growing conditions, loamy sand to clay loam in consistency with red brown clay subsoils, frequently impregnated with rock. Treated to maturation under small French oak casks and extended ageing under the Diamond Valley cellars. Approx 14.5%

A densely coloured wine. Classic aromas of berries and plum, cedar and liquorice, blackberry and mint, leather, tobacco and earth. The virulent bouquets develop into winegum characters on the palate, flavours of mulberries and cherry, plum pudding, cocoa and allspice. Drinking beautifully now after a spell of bottle development, and representing superior value, to accompany burgundy styled beef casserole or ripe, hard cheeses.

A consistently splendid Pinot Noir from a family operated Yarra Valley winery which continues to chalk up the most coveted accolades and awards. The staple Pinot on winelists aound Victoria's better restaurants for decades, a superb effort even by the estate's own exacting standards, it exhibits what pinotphiles refer to as the proverbial iron fist in velvet glove. Silken in texture, in bucolic Burgundian styling, a wonderfully food oriented red that mates so well with everything from gorgonzola to game sausage. Complex and exciting, it evolves in the glass.

$2499each $297DOZEN EACH DOZEN Since the early 1980s, Diamond Valley has enjoyed outstanding success with its Pinot Noir, whilst remaining one of Australia's smaller wineries. Their vineyards on the hillsides of Yarra Valley are blessed with pure air, are bathed in sunlight and are a haven for kangaroos and native birds. The Lance family tend their vines by hand to produce beautifully ripe grapes which they craft into elegant and distinctive wines of the finest quality. Blue Label is the estate's second tier, widely acclaimed as one of Australia's best value Pinot Noir, fashioned from a backbone of fine estate grown fruit. Made without filtration and minimally handled, Blue Label is crafted to be enjoyable upon release.

Middle red in colour. Delightfully perfumed with plum and exotic spice, Diamond Valley shows lifted aromas of cherries and red berry, sage infused lamb and dried fruit. Raspberry and wood characters are set against a background of dark cherry and earthy hillside complexity. Meaty and intense, flavours of red cherries and plum are backed by sweet cedar/ vanilla oak and earthy, lightly toasted undertones. The palate is fleshy and full, offering succulence and velvety tannins.

A harvest of fine, estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Dominique Portet vineyards in the Yarra Valley, a relatively cool climate zone allowing for longer ripening, is vinified alongside a component of Shiraz from the slightly warmer, drier climes at Heathcote, where vines are planted to the most salubrious, ferrous Terra rossa soils.

$1999each $237DOZEN EACH DOZEN Dominique Portet did his training at some of the world's most illustrious red winemaking estates. He qualified at the Montpellier University of Oenology and during a compulsory one year military service was the Legion's wine purchasing adviser. Portet spent vintages in the Medoc, Rhone Valley, Provence and with Moet et Chandon. Following vintages in the Napa Valley, the founding of Taltarni and Clover Hill, vintage 2000 would see the establishment of the Dominique Portet label. Bunches of Cabernet and Shiraz are hand picked, destemmed and gently crushed. Parcels are treated to a three day cold soak, vinified and left on skins for two to three weeks before maturation, mostly in a selection of French oak barrels.

Bright red/ purple in the glass. Juicy dark fruit aromas and flavours that focus on blackberry, plums and red cherry with a floral lift. A wine of supple texture and intense fruit, clear crisp acidity makes the flavours evolve over lovely soft tannins, making this elegant red blend so very easy to drink right now, ideally alongside pink butterfly lamb, Coq au vin or egg ribbon pasta with veal meatballs.