Product Information:
Drawing inspiration from Hunter Valley winemaking legends Maurice O’Shea and Murray Tyrrell, the DJV Shiraz Pinot Noir, is a modern spin on the traditional blends of days gone by. The name “DJV” refers to the feeling of déja vu that you may well experience when tasting this wine, and is Andrew Thomas' tribute to the traditional “Hunter River Burgundy” style.
The intriguing blend 56% Shiraz and 44% Pinot Noir. The Shiraz portion comes from Fordwich Hill and Vanessa Vale vineyards, and the Pinot Noir from the original Terrace Vale (now Hunters Dream) plantings. There was 20% whole bunch inclusion during the fermentation of the Pinot Noir which was followed by 10 months maturation in four-year-old French oak 300L hogsheads.
The two varietals are interlaced and offer an immediately inviting palate with a silky texture from fine-grained tannins. Nose it and you'll uncover enticing flowers, red and black berries with hints of pink pepper and warm herbs within a vivid pale purple colour. Flavours of ripe cherry, red plum and black raspberry follow. An alluring and moreish number.
Maker:
Given Andrew's family background, it seemed fated he would work in wine. Early inspiration came from my father, Wayne Thomas who had a distinguished career making wine where Andrew was raised in McLaren Vale. During Andrew's formative winemaking years, despite being groomed for a possible winemaking career in South Australia, he developed a deep passion for finesse, and the more subtle and savoury structured wines of the Hunter Valley . After graduating with a degree in Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, Andrew set off on his winemaking journey at Tyrrell’s Vineyards. During 13 years of guidance under the legendary Murray Tyrrell at Tyrrells Wines, he gained a great respect for, and understanding of the two signature varieties of the Hunter Valley – you guessed it, semillon and shiraz. The thirst for more knowledge and winemaking experience was quenched with vintages in Sonoma, Tuscany, Piedmont and Provence; but the desire to make world class wines under his own label could no longer be denied, with realisation it was time for Andrew Thomas to pave his own path. Thomas Wines was established in 1997, with a clear and focused objective to specialise in single vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz. Over the years Andrew has formed close and collaborative alliances with an impressive folio of local growers. These growers own and operate arguably some of the Hunter Valley’s most distinguished sites, producing world class, uniquely regional styles. Each wine is destined to showcase its unique vineyard signature and express a real sense of place.
Philosophy:
Whilst Andrew has always applied a no compromise, attention to detail approach to my winemaking, he truly believes that 90% of the quality lies in the vineyard. Andrew says "The key to great wine is ‘keeping it simple’ to preserve that potential quality from the vine through to the bottle."
Stylistically speaking, the modern style of Hunter Shiraz is a far cry from the wines of yesteryear. The contemporary style displays an aromatic fruit purity and vibrancy, all framed within a regional, medium bodied structure. This, together with a more ‘hands-off’ approach to our winemaking, has allowed the true character of each vineyard to shine through - just the way wine should be.
The fruit comes from two vineyards, Shiraz (56%) from the Fordwich Hill and Vanessa Vale vineyards, and Pinot Noir (44%) from the original Terrace Vale (now Hunters Dream) plantings on the alluvial flats of Deaseys Road. There was 20% whole bunch inclusion during the fermentation of the Pinot Noir which was followed by 10 months maturation in four-year-old French oak 300L hogsheads. During the final blending process, the Fordwich Hill Shiraz parcel was selected for its bright red fruited aromatics, whilst the Vanessa Vale Shiraz added some punchy weight and tannin structure to the final blend.
Nose - Pink Pepper Corns, Blackberries, Woody Spices
Attractive perfume of woody spices, dark cherry, red plum, turned earth and pepper.
Palate - Sappy, Ripe Cherry, Silky
Inviting palate with a silky texture from fine-grained tannins. Flavours of ripe cherry, red plum and black raspberry follow, alongside hints of violet, cassia and ruby chocolate.
Finish - Turned Earth, Chocolate, Refreshing
There is an excellent length of palate. Feels quite serious, tightly wound yet refreshing. Tannin quality is great here. Refreshing.
Shiraz and pinot noir! This shiraz was previously spiked with verjus and semillon, now finds a companion in pinot noir. This is 55% shiraz and 45% pinot noir, approximately. First release under this guise.
Attractive perfume of woody spices, dark cherry, red plum, turned earth and pepper. The palate lighter weight in its feel, gently sappy, a tightening corkscrew of graphite-laced tannins. Structured, you could say. Feels quite serious, tightly wound yet refreshing. Tannin quality is great here. The brightness too. - Mike Bennie, The Wine front, 93 points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz 56%, Pinot Noir 44%
Country - Australia
Region - Hunter Valley, NSW
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.2%
Closure - Screw Cap
