Little Gems ~ distinguished single vineyard Hunter Valley wines. 

94 points - Patrick Eckel, The Wine Reviewer
93 points - Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
93 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
91 Points - Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review
92 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

2018 was the second in a trifecta of fantastic Hunter vintages. The fruit comes from the Riverbank vineyard in the Broke-Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley. In 2018 the vineyard was selectively hand-harvested on the 11th of February with only the ripest bunches harvested. This attention to flavour maturity in the vineyard has resulted in a stellar wine.   

WINEMAKING NOTES
The fruit was partially crushed to open fermenters and cold soaked for 24 hours prior to fermentation. The wine was transferred to French oak puncheons and matured for 20 months. The longer maturation time has ensured the fruit and oak are beautifully integrated.

TASTING NOTES
The intensity of the fruit is apparent on the nose, with aromas of blackcurrant and spice. The palate is seamless and silky with voluptuous layers of fruit and oak flavours. The core of cassis and berry flavour underpins the entire structure of this wine allowing for long term cellaringThe fruit comes from the Riverbank vineyard in the Broke-Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley. The vineyard was selectively hand-harvested with only the ripest bunches harvested, the remaining fruit was left to ripen for another three weeks. This attention to flavour maturity in the vineyard resulted in a stellar wine. After 14 months oak maturation the best barrels were selected for the Little Gem blend. The wine was taken out of oak, blended and returned to barrels for a further 12 months ensuring a perfect integration of oak and fruit flavours.