Best of Halliday's Choices & Bonus Book Offer

Last week saw the release of the 2009 edition of James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion. Each year this book is highly anticipated by wine lovers and winemakers and widely recognised as the definitive guide to the Australian wine industry. Such is James Halliday's influence, wineries that receive favourable reviews can quickly become household names and sell out their wines within days.

This edition of AMA (SA) Wine Society newsletter features wines that have received exceptional reviews in Halliday's 2009 edition of his Australian Wine Companion. Many of the wines featured are extremely limited and available on a first-in, best-dressed basis.

As a special offer for AMA(SA) members, purchase any dozen bottles of featured wines in this edition and receive a free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition. These books have a RRP of $34.90 and are an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in the Australian wine industry.

We hope you enjoy this edition,

The AMA (SA) Wine Society.

Ph - 1800 088 022

Forest Hill Block 1 Riesling 2007 - $33.90

Forest Hill was the site of the first vineyard plantings in the Great Southern region of Western Australia back in 1965. Over the next forty years the region has become recognised as an outstanding region for cool climate varietals, including Riesling. Forest Hill's Block 1 Riesling has firmly established itself as one of Australia's flagship Riesling and the 2007 is once again a stunning example.  

"96 Points. Pale and bright, with flowery aromas; an elegant, precisely focused mix of lime, lime zest, spice and mineral; great length and perfect acidity. Screwcap. 12.8% alc. To 2017" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines purchased.

Voyager Est Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 - $19.90

Voyager Estate is widely regarded as Australia’s leading Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, a blend that Margaret River has made its own. This is a crisp, refreshing, perfectly balanced wine, making it the perfect Summer white wine.

“95 Points. A fragrant, delicate bouquet ranging through tropical to passionfruit to citrus; a long and fine palate, fruit speaking all the way through to the finish. Screwcap. 12.8% alc. To 2011” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Yering Station Chardonnay 2006 - $19.90

Yering Station continues to cement their position as one of Australia’s best value Chardonnays. This wine has a level of complexity rarely found at this price, a great drinking Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

“95 Points. A complex wine, bringing together strong stone fruit, melon and citrus cool-climate characters augmented by barrel ferment oak and lees inputs. Bargain. Screwcap. 13% alc. To 2011” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines purchased. 

The Story Grampians Shiraz 2005 - $19.90

Whilst ‘The Story’ is a relatively new label on the Australian wine landscape it has already made quite impression including a few outstanding reviews by James Halliday. Winemaker and owner Rory Lane sources high quality fruit from vineyards in the Grampians and produces his wine in a small factory complete with basket press, open fermenters and French oak barrels. Whilst a somewhat unconventional method the result is a delicious and highly drinkable Grampians Shiraz. Only very limited stocks of this wine are available so get in quick before it is all gone.  

"95 Points. Lusciously dense and rich, a velvet cascade of black fruit flavours supported by a fine net of ripe tannins and well-handled oak; will age superbly. Screwcap. 14.1% alc. To 2026" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Hewitson Ned & Henrys Shiraz 2006 - $23.90

Dean Hewitson departed Petaluma is 1996 and established his own vineyard which has quickly become one of the country’s leading red wine producers. The Ned and Henrys is a luscious Barossa Shiraz which has deliberately been made in an approachable, drink young style. It is rich, lively and vibrant with some lively spice, chocolate and savouriness. The value on offer here is exceptional.

“95 Points. A stylish, medium-bodied wine with excellent length and balance; fresh plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavours; fine tannins, subtle oak. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2020” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Pierro LTCF Cabernet Merlot 2005 - $32.90

During his first vintage in Margaret River in 1979, Pierro's Mike Peterkin introduced two wine style which have become the mainstay of winemaking in the areas. These were the first Australian Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend and the first wines with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Pierro's LTCF, or 'little touch of cabernet franc' is a recognition of Pierro's innovative past, and the suitability of the Margaret River region to producing high quality 'Bordeaux' varietals.  

"95 Points. Not only has a touch of cabernet franc, but also petit verdot and malbec. It is a great example of regional Cabernet Merlot in the fullest and best style of the Margaret River, marrying intensity with grace; almost lilting red and black fruits, and very fine tannins on the long finish. Great value. Cork. 14.5% alc. To 2020" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines purchased.  

SC Pannell Shiraz 2005 - $56.90

In his latest book James Halliday describes SC Pannell as “a label which is well on its way to icon status”. Whilst this seems quite a statement, the impact that Steve Pannell has made since establishing his own label in 2004 has been remarkable. This Shiraz is simply outstanding with all the power, finesse and balance you would expect from a top line McLaren Vale Shiraz.  

"96 Points. A fine wine from the first whiff through to the finish and aftertaste; has intense black and red fruit flavours with no alcohol heat; perfectly integrated and balanced French oak. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2025" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009. 

Balnaves The Tally Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $79.90

The Tally is the flagship wine from Balnaves of Coonawarra, a winery that Halliday proclaimed as ‘The Winery of the Year’ in his 2008 edition his Australian Wine Companion. Balnaves deservedly have established ‘The Tally’ as one of Australia’s benchmark examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. The newly released 2006 is an incredibly powerful and expressive wine that will cellar for many years to come. Only very limited quantites are available.

“96 Points. Beautifully crafted and delineated cassis fruit, framed by gently toasty oak and some floral notes; the palate is rich, deep, fine and very long; the brightness of fruit at the core is the essence of this wine. ProCork. To 2030” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Free copy of Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition with any dozen bottles of featured wines purchased.