I am sure that there are readers here who have drunk certain wines from a particular producer year after year and somehow felt a deep connection with the land and producer, and enjoyed the wines even in lesser vintages. This type of connection is almost spiritual and there are certain estates towards which I feel the same way.
My newest discovery is Grove Estate from NSW’s Hilltops wine region. When I first tasted their Shiraz-Viognier I knew immediately that something was up. From the award winning 2008 to the lesser 2011 I enjoyed them so much that there is a soft spot and a guaranteed place for them in my heart.
I also happen to love the benchmark Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier (the 2012 is astonishingly good and precise) and it gives me comfort that all of the above Grove Estate wines were made by Tim Kirk. There is nothing wrong with thinking that the Grove Estate wines are super mini Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier bargains considering that they cost less than $30. My short notes:
2008 Grove Estate ‘The Cellar Block’ Shiraz Viognier
Great nose with spices and dark cherry preserve. Exquisite palate with seamless sweet fruit and fine length. So much class and smoothness here. Dangerously easy to drink. Looking fabulous at 5 years of age so open one if you own any. Delicious!
93 points
2009 Grove Estate ‘The Cellar Block’ Shiraz Viognier
High expectations were met. Beautifully fragrant, impeccably balanced silky smooth red with superbly ripe tannin structure and an amazingly long finish. With a nod to Clonakilla, this is an easy bargain. Medium bodied with excellent depth, it is fine drinking now or cellar 5 years. Absolutely delicious blend with great presence.
93+ points
2010 Grove Estate ‘The Cellar Block’ Shiraz Viognier
From a hail reduced vintage. The darkest and heaviest red in this line up. Black cherry spice on the nose. Quite full bodied with dark cherries and plums. There is a slight bitterness on the finish and a firm grip. Most definitely a food wine. Cellar another 5 years.
90 points
2011 Grove Estate ‘The Cellar Block’ Shiraz Viognier
I love an honest back label with words such as this: “The 2011 Vintage was one of our most difficult since we began winemaking over 20 years ago.†Beautifully fragrant, with the Viognier more pronounced at this stage. Silky smooth, medium bodied palate with gentle fruit flavours. Once again. the Clonakilla roots are obvious. Great balance and very Burgundian structure. Delicious drinking now. I appreciate it, great job in a difficult vintage.
91 points
Must say, can’t wait or the 2012 SV to be released!
I will finish with another absolute lovely wine from this estate. It is a positively Nebbiolo surprise.
2010 Grove Estate ‘Sommita’ Nebbiolo
Sommita means summit in Italian. Grapes picked at perfect ripeness, wine aged in oak for 20 months. Winemaker: Richard Parker.
Reserved nose with red berries. Great and smooth palate with the most delicious sweet fruit flavours. Perfect harmony and balance. An extremely satisfying red that was made in a superb estate style. As for Nebbiolo, most certainly not in the Italian style. Good length on the finish with fine fruit bitterness. If you can find it, buy it. Superb drinking now.
93 points
I am looking forward to my first visit to this estate in December.
Cheers,
Attila
