Thorn-Clarke – value in experience

Thorn-Clarke are something special. A winegrower of such pedigree, tradition and self-assurance that you are left wondering how on earth they have passed you by, unnoticed, for so long. Though passing like proverbial ships in the night, I am overjoyed to acknowledge they have now registered a sizable ‘blip’ on my radar! My red wine of 2015, from their fair hand, was the exceptional 2012 Shotfire Quartage; a Bordeaux blend with so much to say…

So let me tell you more about this historic grandee of South Australia’s most famous wine region – The Barossa Valley.

Thorn-Clarke’s ancestors were originally drawn to the region by the great Australian gold rush of the late 19th Century. The name Thorn-Clarke derives from the relationship between two long time Barossa families; husband and wife, David and Cheryl Clarke both have (if you’ll pardon the pun) deep family roots in the Barossa. Cheryl Clarke’s family, the Thorns, have a long tradition of grape growing in Barossa whereas David Clarke’s family, became famous in the region through the mining of gold. Together David and Cheryl have established and grown Thorn-Clarke into the successful winery it is today.

Location wise, Thorn-Clarke are in an enviable position. With a firm understanding of the region’s geology though their established mining link, they have over time amassed four prime single vineyards across the Barossa; from Mount Crawford in the cool southern Eden Valley to the dry and warm St Kitts vineyard in northern Barossa.

There is freshness present in the estate’s wines which show pedigree, elegance and an assurance that few growers in the region can match. In the glass their wines deliver the exceptional fruit flavours one would expect from this iconic wine region, however there is also structure, character and exceptional value for money.

The latter point is really Thorn-Clarke’s calling card. I guess the American critic Robert Parker might refer to it as “bang for your buck”. One thing is for certain – these are wines which offer satisfaction on so many levels, from the fresh and vibrant Mount Crawford Riesling, full of zingy lemon and lime notes, right through to the true icons of the range, in the form of William Randell Shiraz and single vineyard Ron Thorne Shiraz, both of which are bold and full of spice plum and black cherry fruit. Capable of long term aging, the 2012 Ron Thorne Shiraz was recently awarded the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s trophy for the world’s best Shiraz/Syrah! With so many accolades over the years and a perpetual reference to the value for money their wines offer the drinker… surely it is time to introduce your palate to the wonderful Thorn-Clarke portfolio?!

Pikes Wines: ‘Best Australian Riesling’ IWC 2017

Pikes Wines can trace the history of the family winery back to 1878, when Henry Pike emigrated from Dorset to South Australia aboard the HMS Oakland. He settled in the Adelaide Hills and in 1886 established Pikes Dorset Brewery, which later changed its name to H. Pike & Co., producing beer, ales, soft drinks and cordials, including its famous Tonic Ale, all of which displayed the Pike fish symbol that Pikes Wines use to this day.

The current winery was established by third generation brothers Andrew and Neil Pike, with their parents Edgar and Merle, in 1984 in the Polish Hill River sub-region of the beautiful Clare Valley in South Australia, due north of Adelaide. The first Pikes wines were released in the spring of 1985, with a focus on aromatic, fresh wines that reflect the region, the vintage season and the varieties grown.

The ideal pairing of Andrew, viticulturist, and Neil, winemaker, have achieved considerable success with their Riesling cuvées, Riesling Traditionale and the Merle Riesling; 2016 Riesling Traditionale has just been awarded the Trophies for Best Clare Valley Riesling and Best Australian Riesling in the 2017 International Wine Challenge – an incredible achievement!

Speaking about the 2016 vintage at the time of harvest, Neil described conditions as being ‘pretty much ideal for achieving concentrated flavours and the sugar levels we require. Good weather for grapes. It will possibly come as no surprise to many that the backbone varieties of Clare such as Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet are showing early promise. Riesling in particular has great flavour, low pH and good levels of natural acidity. While perhaps still too early to start proclaiming it as another “vintage of the century” we are really confident we will produce some terrific wines from 2016.’

On winning the IWC trophies, Pete Bentley, Sales and Marketing Manager, told us: ‘At Pikes we pride ourselves on the consistency, and continuity of our Riesling. The Riesling grape allows for very few, or zero faults, and has a transparency that many other grape varieties don’t have. The genius of our Traditionale Riesling is balance, in both style and rationality. The best free run juice marries with just enough residual sugar, and a wonderful spine of natural acid. The combination of the austere Polish Hill fruit, connecting with a lick of Watervale gives us lemon/lime, orange blossom and talcum powder on the nose, and slippery mandarin flavours on the palate, all cleaned up by crunchy acidity. We love drinking this wine, and we love that the IWC have acknowledged this Clare classic with two trophies. Sometimes it takes 32 years to become an overnight success.’

For the month of July you can receive a 10% discount on Riesling Traditionale and its red blend partner, Los Compañeros Shiraz/Tempranillo. Please enter code PIKE17 at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

Viña Ventisquero V9 Reserva Range

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of Chilean wines from Viña Ventisquero – the V9 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley and the V9 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley.

Nine vineyards are involved in the creation process of the V9 range, giving birth to excellent complex wines.

Viña Ventisquero was founded in 1998 and began winemaking in 2000. Today the winery is led by a young creative team of entrepreneurs whose aim is to create distinctive, high quality wines. True to their philosophy of going “a step beyond”, Viña Ventisquero’s modern, avant-garde wines reflect the sheer perfection of the Chilean wine craft, showing character of balance between fruit and oak.

Viña Ventisquero is completely committed to caring for their environment.   Not only do all of their productive processes involve rigorous quality control; they also comply with the strictest environmental protection standards. Independent auditors have granted Viña Ventisquero “Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile” status, Chile’s first ever certification exclusively for the wine industry.

We are offering an introductory 10% discount on our new Viña Ventisquero V9 Reserva range by entering discount code VVV910 at checkout. This offer is valid until Sunday 1st April 2018 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

 

Belhara Estate Wines from Argentina

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of Argentinean wines from Belhara Estate, a family owned winery with it’s Estate Vineyards located in the high altitudes of the prestigious Uco Valley Of Mendoza, within the premium appellations of Altamira, Gualtallary and Tupungato.

The estate is comprised of 3 estate vineyards with altitudes between 1100 and 1400 meters above sea level. Belhara Estate focuses on crafting artisanal red blends and single vineyard wines with their 180 hectares of planted vineyards, some of which include 80 year old vines for some of their Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Bonarda varietal plantings.

Stephen Huse, Owner and Director of Winemaking received his formal training at the University of Bordeaux obtaining a Diploma of Enology as well as a Master of Science in Winemaking & Viticulture.  Before taking up the reigns at Belhara in 2013. Stephen subsequently worked for wineries such as Chateau Margaux and Mouton Rothschild in France, followed by Harlan Estate and Merryvale Vineyards in the Napa Valley.

We are offering an introductory 10% discount on our new Belhara Estate range of wines by entering discount code BEW10 at checkout. This offer is valid until Wednesday 31st October 2018 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

THE RISE OF QUOIN ROCK: A STELLENBOSCH ICON RETURNS

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of South African wines from acclaimed Stellenbosch estate Quoin Rock, who relaunched their range of premium wines in 2018, six years after the Gaiduk family purchased the 200-hectare farm on the western slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains.

“This region is known as the Napa Valley of South Africa. If you want to create the very best red wine, this is the place to be,” says Denis Gaiduk, Managing Director of Quoin Rock.

When the Gaiduk family took ownership of the estate in 2012 “We could see the enormous potential on the property, all the basics were there,” explains viticulturist Nico Walters, who set to work on three years of intensive rehabilitation across the farm which involved rejuvenating neglected vineyards, uprooting poorly performing blocks, and replanting 11 hectares of vine to introduce new clones and cultivars to the farm. Today, 36 hectares of vineyard are spread across the 200-hectare property, allowing plenty of room for future expansion.

Walters also looks after an additional 11 hectares of vineyards on Boskloof farm, Quoin Rock’s sister-property in the Elim district on the windswept Agulhas Plain. Here the cool climate and extreme coastal terroir create memorable Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with grapes high in acidity and minerality offering the perfect foil to the fruit-forward vineyards of  Stellenbosch.

With premium grapes arriving from two unique vineyard sites, it’s no surprise that Quoin Rock winemaker Jacques Maree likes to take a hands-off approach in the cellar.  “We want to be as true to our terroir as possible. We have a particular style of wine that we want to produce, but that process begins in the vineyard. It’s about respecting the terroir and what the vineyards give us,” says Maree.

Along with a dedication to rejuvenating the farm’s unique vineyards, Quoin Rock has seen major investment in updating to the latest cellar technology. Quoin Rock’s modern cellar facilities allow Maree enormous freedom to experiment, with individual vineyard blocks harvested at optimal ripeness and each vinified separately to provide a complex palate of blending components. While the new technology ultimately makes the winemaking process easier, “in the end it’s all about improving the quality of the wines,” says Maree.

That certainly shows in the flagship release, the Quoin Rock Red Blend 2015. A three-way Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Cabernet Franc (19%) and Merlot (15%), it’s a fruit-forward wine with firm tannins, and a luscious combination of dark berries, leather, cassis and cranberry notes.

There’s similar intensity in the Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015, with fruit sourced from its Stellenbosch vineyards.  “It’s a layered wine,” says Maree. “There are plenty of dark fruits, but it still has some white pepper spice and floral jasmine notes. On the palate it’s a bold wine without being flabby.  The acidity cuts neatly through the density of the wine, giving a lengthy finish.”

While this corner of the Simonsberg is notable for producing world-class red wines, Quoin Rock’s unique terroir ensures its white varietals are equally superb.  The Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2017 is crafted from a blend of vineyards, marrying the riper tropical flavours of Stellenbosch fruit with the citrus and lime character of the Elim vineyards.  The Elim grapes are fermented in egg shaped concrete and wooden vessels to preserve freshness, followed by 10 months of maturation in barrel before blending and bottling. The result?  “A fresh style of Chardonnay that still has good body. There’s a creamy mid-palate, but with good acidity,” says Maree. “I like to bottle my white wines a little earlier to capture the fresh fruit components.”

For the Quoin Rock White Blend 2017, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (85%) and Semillon (15%), Maree and Walters work with fruit from both Stellenbosch and Elim to create a layered, complex white wine in the Bordeaux tradition.  The Sauvignon Blanc is predominantly sourced from Stellenbosch vineyards planted high on the property, the altitude ensuring a cooling ocean effect. To add further complexity a small component of Sauvignon Blanc from Elim is included in the blend, introducing acidity and minerality to the tropical notes of the Stellenbosch fruit.

An enticing addition to the portfolio is the inclusion of a dessert wine; the Quoin Rock Vine-Dried Sauvignon Blanc 2017.  Unlike a Noble Late Harvest, which requires the spontaneous formation of noble rot, Quoin Rock’s skilled viticultural team work carefully in the vineyards to produce a sweet wine high in acidity and intense in flavour.  This is achieved by crimping the vine stems in the last weeks of harvest. By stemming the flow of water and nutrients to the grapes, “you hit the pause button on the grape’s development,” explains Walters. But with the grape still exposed to the sun and winds of Stellenbosch in the hot harvest season, the bunches begin to shrivel and dry out, intensifying the flavours and sugars in the grape. After careful vinification the result is a sweet wine in perfect balance, the high acidity off-setting the sweetness and intensity of tropical fruit notes.  Made in the style of iconic French cellar Château d’Yquem, “I suggest that it is served ice cold,”  says Maree. “That helps the acidity cut through the viscosity of the sugar.”

Alongside the flagship Quoin Rock portfolio is the premium Namysto range, a pair of more accessible wines made for earlier enjoyment.  Namysto means ‘necklace’ in Ukrainian, and the label artwork highlights the cultural link between Africa and the Ukraine, the home country of the Gaiduk family.  “The Namysto wines are made in a different style to our Quoin Rock range,” explains Maree.  “We have really focused on the drinkability of the wine, working towards ripe and juicy fruit notes with softer tannin structures.”

The Namysto Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 blend is a fine example of this approach, blending the structure and tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon with the fruit forward character of Shiraz.

Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2019 International Wine Challenge, the Namysto Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2017 does the same for the Bordeaux cultivars of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with a perfect balance of vibrant tropical fruit and  freshness.

Last, but certainly not least, is the launch of the Quoin Rock Méthode Cap Classique 2013.  A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the current release spent a remarkable 52 months in bottle, maturing on the lees, resulting in a memorable bubbly of crisp minerality on the nose, and a palate brimming with green apple, honey-oats and lime. The perfect wine to celebrate the rebirth of Quoin Rock!

Bremerton – Langhorne Creek defined

Bremerton isn’t just another Aussie winery; it is the pulse and heartbeat of South Australia’s Langhorne Creek. Owned and run by the Willson family since its inception in 1988, Bremerton has forged an enviable reputation for quality and value whilst at the same time supporting development into new varietal plantings and figure-heading innovation within the region.

I was lucky enough to visit Bremerton last year and had a rare opportunity to meet the Willson family. What I found was a group of people committed to promoting the fruits of their labour, with drive and ambition but at the same time a humble appreciation of their unique terroir in Langhorne Creek. It is unquestionable that winemaker Bec Willson and her sister Lucy steer the Bremerton ship under the guiding eyes of father Craig and mother Mignonne. It really is a family affair combined with genuine pride of place.

Langhorne Creek is south east of Adelaide, not far from the famed vineyards of McLaren Vale. It is a unique region as it sits on the rich soil of the Bremer River flood plain. Fresh cool evening breezes from Lake Alexandrina provide a micro climate of mild to warm summer days and cool evenings, perfect for the long ripening of the grapes. The resultant harvest produces intense and sought after cool climate flavours in the Bremerton wines, which are very much on-trend and beautifully suited to the palates of many modern wine drinkers. The predominant varieties grown are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, with plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

The winemaking team, headed by family winemaker Rebecca ‘Bec’ Willson has taken the quality of the Bremerton portfolio to new highs. Bec seeks the finest possible estate-grown fruit to craft traditional, full-bodied, full-flavoured, mouth-filling wines that show a consistency of style whilst encouraging the true varietal characteristics to be expressed.

In the cellar, the winery has invested heavily in a premium French and American oak programme using 220 litre barriques to ensure subtle and complementary oak influences. The winery utilises traditional open top fermenters, made from stainless steel and a purpose-built barrel cellar for maturation.

Bec and her Marketing Manager sister Lucy, have focused the family’s wine range on high quality and individual wines. They have given Bremerton a strong foothold in the highly competitive Aussie wine market, with Rebecca’s first label at age 25 (the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon) winning a trophy and rated Third Best Cabernet in Australia by Winestate magazine. Since then the Willson sisters have worked tirelessly to anchor Bremerton as Langhorne Creek’s strongest force – with exceptional quality Malbec and Fiano coming through the ranks, there is no suggestion they plan to put their feet up any time soon!

Bremerton – Langhorne Creek defined

Bremerton isn’t just another Aussie winery; it is the pulse and heartbeat of South Australia’s Langhorne Creek. Owned and run by the Willson family since its inception in 1988, Bremerton has forged an enviable reputation for quality and value whilst at the same time supporting development into new varietal plantings and figure-heading innovation within the region.

I was lucky enough to visit Bremerton last year and had a rare opportunity to meet the Willson family. What I found was a group of people committed to promoting the fruits of their labour, with drive and ambition but at the same time a humble appreciation of their unique terroir in Langhorne Creek. It is unquestionable that winemaker Bec Willson and her sister Lucy steer the Bremerton ship under the guiding eyes of father Craig and mother Mignonne. It really is a family affair combined with genuine pride of place.

Langhorne Creek is south east of Adelaide, not far from the famed vineyards of McLaren Vale. It is a unique region as it sits on the rich soil of the Bremer River flood plain. Fresh cool evening breezes from Lake Alexandrina provide a micro climate of mild to warm summer days and cool evenings, perfect for the long ripening of the grapes. The resultant harvest produces intense and sought after cool climate flavours in the Bremerton wines, which are very much on-trend and beautifully suited to the palates of many modern wine drinkers. The predominant varieties grown are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, with plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

The winemaking team, headed by family winemaker Rebecca ‘Bec’ Willson has taken the quality of the Bremerton portfolio to new highs. Bec seeks the finest possible estate-grown fruit to craft traditional, full-bodied, full-flavoured, mouth-filling wines that show a consistency of style whilst encouraging the true varietal characteristics to be expressed.

In the cellar, the winery has invested heavily in a premium French and American oak programme using 220 litre barriques to ensure subtle and complementary oak influences. The winery utilises traditional open top fermenters, made from stainless steel and a purpose-built barrel cellar for maturation.

Bec and her Marketing Manager sister Lucy, have focused the family’s wine range on high quality and individual wines. They have given Bremerton a strong foothold in the highly competitive Aussie wine market, with Rebecca’s first label at age 25 (the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon) winning a trophy and rated Third Best Cabernet in Australia by Winestate magazine. Since then the Willson sisters have worked tirelessly to anchor Bremerton as Langhorne Creek’s strongest force – with exceptional quality Malbec and Fiano coming through the ranks, there is no suggestion they plan to put their feet up any time soon!

Thorn-Clarke – value in experience

Thorn-Clarke are something special. A winegrower of such pedigree, tradition and self-assurance that you are left wondering how on earth they have passed you by, unnoticed, for so long. Though passing like proverbial ships in the night, I am overjoyed to acknowledge they have now registered a sizable ‘blip’ on my radar! My red wine of 2015, from their fair hand, was the exceptional 2012 Shotfire Quartage; a Bordeaux blend with so much to say…

So let me tell you more about this historic grandee of South Australia’s most famous wine region – The Barossa Valley.

Thorn-Clarke’s ancestors were originally drawn to the region by the great Australian gold rush of the late 19th Century. The name Thorn-Clarke derives from the relationship between two long time Barossa families; husband and wife, David and Cheryl Clarke both have (if you’ll pardon the pun) deep family roots in the Barossa. Cheryl Clarke’s family, the Thorns, have a long tradition of grape growing in Barossa whereas David Clarke’s family, became famous in the region through the mining of gold. Together David and Cheryl have established and grown Thorn-Clarke into the successful winery it is today.

Location wise, Thorn-Clarke are in an enviable position. With a firm understanding of the region’s geology though their established mining link, they have over time amassed four prime single vineyards across the Barossa; from Mount Crawford in the cool southern Eden Valley to the dry and warm St Kitts vineyard in northern Barossa.

There is freshness present in the estate’s wines which show pedigree, elegance and an assurance that few growers in the region can match. In the glass their wines deliver the exceptional fruit flavours one would expect from this iconic wine region, however there is also structure, character and exceptional value for money.

The latter point is really Thorn-Clarke’s calling card. I guess the American critic Robert Parker might refer to it as “bang for your buck”. One thing is for certain – these are wines which offer satisfaction on so many levels, from the fresh and vibrant Mount Crawford Riesling, full of zingy lemon and lime notes, right through to the true icons of the range, in the form of William Randell Shiraz and single vineyard Ron Thorne Shiraz, both of which are bold and full of spice plum and black cherry fruit. Capable of long term aging, the 2012 Ron Thorne Shiraz was recently awarded the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s trophy for the world’s best Shiraz/Syrah! With so many accolades over the years and a perpetual reference to the value for money their wines offer the drinker… surely it is time to introduce your palate to the wonderful Thorn-Clarke portfolio?!

Pikes Wines: ‘Best Australian Riesling’ IWC 2017

Pikes Wines can trace the history of the family winery back to 1878, when Henry Pike emigrated from Dorset to South Australia aboard the HMS Oakland. He settled in the Adelaide Hills and in 1886 established Pikes Dorset Brewery, which later changed its name to H. Pike & Co., producing beer, ales, soft drinks and cordials, including its famous Tonic Ale, all of which displayed the Pike fish symbol that Pikes Wines use to this day.

The current winery was established by third generation brothers Andrew and Neil Pike, with their parents Edgar and Merle, in 1984 in the Polish Hill River sub-region of the beautiful Clare Valley in South Australia, due north of Adelaide. The first Pikes wines were released in the spring of 1985, with a focus on aromatic, fresh wines that reflect the region, the vintage season and the varieties grown.

The ideal pairing of Andrew, viticulturist, and Neil, winemaker, have achieved considerable success with their Riesling cuvées, Riesling Traditionale and the Merle Riesling; 2016 Riesling Traditionale has just been awarded the Trophies for Best Clare Valley Riesling and Best Australian Riesling in the 2017 International Wine Challenge – an incredible achievement!

Speaking about the 2016 vintage at the time of harvest, Neil described conditions as being ‘pretty much ideal for achieving concentrated flavours and the sugar levels we require. Good weather for grapes. It will possibly come as no surprise to many that the backbone varieties of Clare such as Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet are showing early promise. Riesling in particular has great flavour, low pH and good levels of natural acidity. While perhaps still too early to start proclaiming it as another “vintage of the century” we are really confident we will produce some terrific wines from 2016.’

On winning the IWC trophies, Pete Bentley, Sales and Marketing Manager, told us: ‘At Pikes we pride ourselves on the consistency, and continuity of our Riesling. The Riesling grape allows for very few, or zero faults, and has a transparency that many other grape varieties don’t have. The genius of our Traditionale Riesling is balance, in both style and rationality. The best free run juice marries with just enough residual sugar, and a wonderful spine of natural acid. The combination of the austere Polish Hill fruit, connecting with a lick of Watervale gives us lemon/lime, orange blossom and talcum powder on the nose, and slippery mandarin flavours on the palate, all cleaned up by crunchy acidity. We love drinking this wine, and we love that the IWC have acknowledged this Clare classic with two trophies. Sometimes it takes 32 years to become an overnight success.’

For the month of July you can receive a 10% discount on Riesling Traditionale and its red blend partner, Los Compañeros Shiraz/Tempranillo. Please enter code PIKE17 at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

Viña Ventisquero V9 Reserva Range

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of Chilean wines from Viña Ventisquero – the V9 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley and the V9 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley.

Nine vineyards are involved in the creation process of the V9 range, giving birth to excellent complex wines.

Viña Ventisquero was founded in 1998 and began winemaking in 2000. Today the winery is led by a young creative team of entrepreneurs whose aim is to create distinctive, high quality wines. True to their philosophy of going “a step beyond”, Viña Ventisquero’s modern, avant-garde wines reflect the sheer perfection of the Chilean wine craft, showing character of balance between fruit and oak.

Viña Ventisquero is completely committed to caring for their environment.   Not only do all of their productive processes involve rigorous quality control; they also comply with the strictest environmental protection standards. Independent auditors have granted Viña Ventisquero “Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile” status, Chile’s first ever certification exclusively for the wine industry.

We are offering an introductory 10% discount on our new Viña Ventisquero V9 Reserva range by entering discount code VVV910 at checkout. This offer is valid until Sunday 1st April 2018 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

 

Belhara Estate Wines from Argentina

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of Argentinean wines from Belhara Estate, a family owned winery with it’s Estate Vineyards located in the high altitudes of the prestigious Uco Valley Of Mendoza, within the premium appellations of Altamira, Gualtallary and Tupungato.

The estate is comprised of 3 estate vineyards with altitudes between 1100 and 1400 meters above sea level. Belhara Estate focuses on crafting artisanal red blends and single vineyard wines with their 180 hectares of planted vineyards, some of which include 80 year old vines for some of their Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Bonarda varietal plantings.

Stephen Huse, Owner and Director of Winemaking received his formal training at the University of Bordeaux obtaining a Diploma of Enology as well as a Master of Science in Winemaking & Viticulture.  Before taking up the reigns at Belhara in 2013. Stephen subsequently worked for wineries such as Chateau Margaux and Mouton Rothschild in France, followed by Harlan Estate and Merryvale Vineyards in the Napa Valley.

We are offering an introductory 10% discount on our new Belhara Estate range of wines by entering discount code BEW10 at checkout. This offer is valid until Wednesday 31st October 2018 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

THE RISE OF QUOIN ROCK: A STELLENBOSCH ICON RETURNS

Frontier Fine Wines are delighted to be stocking a new range of South African wines from acclaimed Stellenbosch estate Quoin Rock, who relaunched their range of premium wines in 2018, six years after the Gaiduk family purchased the 200-hectare farm on the western slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains.

“This region is known as the Napa Valley of South Africa. If you want to create the very best red wine, this is the place to be,” says Denis Gaiduk, Managing Director of Quoin Rock.

When the Gaiduk family took ownership of the estate in 2012 “We could see the enormous potential on the property, all the basics were there,” explains viticulturist Nico Walters, who set to work on three years of intensive rehabilitation across the farm which involved rejuvenating neglected vineyards, uprooting poorly performing blocks, and replanting 11 hectares of vine to introduce new clones and cultivars to the farm. Today, 36 hectares of vineyard are spread across the 200-hectare property, allowing plenty of room for future expansion.

Walters also looks after an additional 11 hectares of vineyards on Boskloof farm, Quoin Rock’s sister-property in the Elim district on the windswept Agulhas Plain. Here the cool climate and extreme coastal terroir create memorable Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with grapes high in acidity and minerality offering the perfect foil to the fruit-forward vineyards of  Stellenbosch.

With premium grapes arriving from two unique vineyard sites, it’s no surprise that Quoin Rock winemaker Jacques Maree likes to take a hands-off approach in the cellar.  “We want to be as true to our terroir as possible. We have a particular style of wine that we want to produce, but that process begins in the vineyard. It’s about respecting the terroir and what the vineyards give us,” says Maree.

Along with a dedication to rejuvenating the farm’s unique vineyards, Quoin Rock has seen major investment in updating to the latest cellar technology. Quoin Rock’s modern cellar facilities allow Maree enormous freedom to experiment, with individual vineyard blocks harvested at optimal ripeness and each vinified separately to provide a complex palate of blending components. While the new technology ultimately makes the winemaking process easier, “in the end it’s all about improving the quality of the wines,” says Maree.

That certainly shows in the flagship release, the Quoin Rock Red Blend 2015. A three-way Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Cabernet Franc (19%) and Merlot (15%), it’s a fruit-forward wine with firm tannins, and a luscious combination of dark berries, leather, cassis and cranberry notes.

There’s similar intensity in the Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015, with fruit sourced from its Stellenbosch vineyards.  “It’s a layered wine,” says Maree. “There are plenty of dark fruits, but it still has some white pepper spice and floral jasmine notes. On the palate it’s a bold wine without being flabby.  The acidity cuts neatly through the density of the wine, giving a lengthy finish.”

While this corner of the Simonsberg is notable for producing world-class red wines, Quoin Rock’s unique terroir ensures its white varietals are equally superb.  The Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2017 is crafted from a blend of vineyards, marrying the riper tropical flavours of Stellenbosch fruit with the citrus and lime character of the Elim vineyards.  The Elim grapes are fermented in egg shaped concrete and wooden vessels to preserve freshness, followed by 10 months of maturation in barrel before blending and bottling. The result?  “A fresh style of Chardonnay that still has good body. There’s a creamy mid-palate, but with good acidity,” says Maree. “I like to bottle my white wines a little earlier to capture the fresh fruit components.”

For the Quoin Rock White Blend 2017, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (85%) and Semillon (15%), Maree and Walters work with fruit from both Stellenbosch and Elim to create a layered, complex white wine in the Bordeaux tradition.  The Sauvignon Blanc is predominantly sourced from Stellenbosch vineyards planted high on the property, the altitude ensuring a cooling ocean effect. To add further complexity a small component of Sauvignon Blanc from Elim is included in the blend, introducing acidity and minerality to the tropical notes of the Stellenbosch fruit.

An enticing addition to the portfolio is the inclusion of a dessert wine; the Quoin Rock Vine-Dried Sauvignon Blanc 2017.  Unlike a Noble Late Harvest, which requires the spontaneous formation of noble rot, Quoin Rock’s skilled viticultural team work carefully in the vineyards to produce a sweet wine high in acidity and intense in flavour.  This is achieved by crimping the vine stems in the last weeks of harvest. By stemming the flow of water and nutrients to the grapes, “you hit the pause button on the grape’s development,” explains Walters. But with the grape still exposed to the sun and winds of Stellenbosch in the hot harvest season, the bunches begin to shrivel and dry out, intensifying the flavours and sugars in the grape. After careful vinification the result is a sweet wine in perfect balance, the high acidity off-setting the sweetness and intensity of tropical fruit notes.  Made in the style of iconic French cellar Château d’Yquem, “I suggest that it is served ice cold,”  says Maree. “That helps the acidity cut through the viscosity of the sugar.”

Alongside the flagship Quoin Rock portfolio is the premium Namysto range, a pair of more accessible wines made for earlier enjoyment.  Namysto means ‘necklace’ in Ukrainian, and the label artwork highlights the cultural link between Africa and the Ukraine, the home country of the Gaiduk family.  “The Namysto wines are made in a different style to our Quoin Rock range,” explains Maree.  “We have really focused on the drinkability of the wine, working towards ripe and juicy fruit notes with softer tannin structures.”

The Namysto Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 blend is a fine example of this approach, blending the structure and tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon with the fruit forward character of Shiraz.

Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2019 International Wine Challenge, the Namysto Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2017 does the same for the Bordeaux cultivars of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with a perfect balance of vibrant tropical fruit and  freshness.

Last, but certainly not least, is the launch of the Quoin Rock Méthode Cap Classique 2013.  A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the current release spent a remarkable 52 months in bottle, maturing on the lees, resulting in a memorable bubbly of crisp minerality on the nose, and a palate brimming with green apple, honey-oats and lime. The perfect wine to celebrate the rebirth of Quoin Rock!