In 2008 the business was acquired by four Italian-Australian wine stalwarts:  Don Totino, Don Luca, Tony Carrocci and Steve Maglieri.  The wines are released in four ranges:  at the top, the Il Padrone The Boss Series; next the Bella Vigna (Beautiful Vineyard) Series; then the Primo Taglio First Cut Series; and at the entry level, the ‘H’ by Haselgrove Series.  Exports to Europe and Asia.

Four Glasses out of Five

Bella Vigna McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008

Right in the mainstream of McLaren Vale style; sumptuous blackfruits, dark chocolate and cedar are intertwined with ripe tannins; good length and balance.  Screwcap.  14.5% alc.  Rating 93.  To 2020.  $25

Il Padrone The Boss McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007

Some colour development; the complex bouquet of blackfruits, mocha oak and dark chocolate leads into a medium- to full-bodied palate with more of the same; a barrel selection, but all new French oak, made only in exceptional vintages – curious, because ‘07 was certainly not exceptional, rather the reverse.  However, hyperbole to one side, this is a very good wine.  Screwcap.  14.5% alc.  Rating 93.  To 2027.  $48

Bella Vigna Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Light straw-green; a thoroughly appealing mix of citrus/lime and tropical fruits; the finish lingering and long in the mouth.  Screwcap.  12% alc.  Rating 90.  To 2012.  $20

Advertiser Newspaper – 24th November 2009 – Alexandra Economou

McLaren Vale’s Haselgrove Wines will expand its production and storage facilities, as the winery shifts its focus to small-batch premium winemaking.

The expansion plans were part of a review of Haselgrove’s operations, which began last year after BankWest sold the winery to a group of businessmen.  The new owners included Festival City Wines managing director Don Totino.

Haselgrove general manager Gordon Grant said a number of the winery’s facilities needed “fine-tuning” to ensure it could meet the requirements of small-batch premium winemaking,” Mr Grant said.

“We have a number of small makers from the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale who make their wine here.”  Haselgrove will install 40 refridgerated storage tanks, ranging in size from 2000 litres to 20,000 litres.  It has also increased its wine cooling capacity.

Mr Grant said changes had been made to Haselgrove’s regional portfolio, which now included a new range of varietals.  Among them was the H by Haselgrove range which was aimed at 25-to-35-year-olds.

“We are really focusing very much domestically to get the Haselgrove name out and about in the hands of domestic consumers,” Mr Grant said.  “We are really being selective about our export markets.  “As the world slowly begins to emerge from recession, we see planty of opportunities for premium Australian wines, particularly in Scandinavia and Europe.”

The expansion meant Haselgrove would have the capacity to store almost four millon litres of wine.

SERVE THIS WINE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, DELICIOUS WITH RACK OF LAMB, STUFFED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS AND FRESH GREEN BEANS.
Enjoy now or cellar for up to ten years to enhance complexity.

REGION

McLaren Vale

COLOUR

Deep plum with a plum red hue.

AROMA

The aroma displays mulberries and plums with nuances of cigar box and cedar.

PALATE

Mulberry, blackcurrant, plums and hints of blackberry compbine with chestnuts and cashew.  Matured in a combination of new and seasoned French & American oak barriques for 18 months, this Shiraz was selected by barrel classification and has a smooth tannin finish with great length.

ALCOHOL  14.5%

PRICE  $25 per bottle, $300 per dozen

PERFECT WITH A MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAGINE & COUS COUS.

Enjoy now or cellar for up to five years.  Serve this wine at room temperature.

REGION

McLaren Vale

COLOUR

Ruby red with a ruby red to pink purple hue.

AROMA

The nose displays perfumed fresh raspberries, blueberry and boysenberry supported by marshmallow, sweet vanilla spice and a dusty earthiness.

PALATE

The raspberry and blueberry aromas follow onto the palate with cooked rhubarb and a hint of sour cherry.  Matured in seasoned French and American oak, the wine displays fine grain tannins.

ALCOHOL

14.5%

Price $25 per bottle, $300 per dozen

SERVE WITH WINE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE WITH ROAST DUCK OR MUSHROOM RAGU WITH POLENTA.
Enjoy now or cellar for up to five years to enhance complexity.

VINEYARD

Sourced from the Battunga Vineyard, a single vineyard at the southern end of the Adelaide Hills.

COLOUR

Medium cherry with a vibrant red hue.

AROMA

The aroma displays bright sweet raspberries with pretty notes of violet, perfume and vanilla.

PALATE

Fresh dark cherries and plums are balanced by touches of light oak, silky tannins and spice.

ALCOHOL 13.0%

$25 per bottle, $300 per dozen

SERVE THIS WINE SLIGHTLY CHILLED WITH SALMON GRAVLAX, CAPER BERRIES AND HERB CREME FRAICHE

REGION

Single vineyard in Kuitpo, Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brillian light green straw with a vibrant green hue.

AROMA

Fragrant and lifted aromas of peach, rockmelon, lime juice and hints of green apple supported by a subtle creaminess and hints of toast and cashew nuts.

PALATE

Voluptuous and round, the aroma characteristics follow onto the palate.  The supporting oak with extended lees contact adds texture and generous savoury length to the wine, which balances well with the crisp acid backbone.

ALCOHOL

13.0%

Price $20 per bottle, $240 per dozen

SERVE WITH FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS, KINGFISH SASHIMI & SEARED SCALLOPS
This fresh, fruit driven wine should be enjoyed now and is best served lightly chilled.

REGION

Paracombe, Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brilliant, very pale straw yellow.

AROMA

Nectarine, Nashi pear, white peach, hints of honey and orange blossom.

PALATE

Juicy, tropical, crisp pear, apple fruits wih mild fruit sweetness and balanced acidity.

PRICE  $16 per bottle, $192 per dozen