Tony Love – National Wine Editor for taste.com.au and The Advertiser Newspaper, SA.

Wholesome Flavour $12
H by Haselgrove 2009 Cabernet Merlot

With a winery based in McLaren Vale, most of the fruit for this crackingly good wine comes from around the same region, with a decent splash also from the Adelaide Hills and Padthaway.  It’s worth noting its great fruit too, beautifully blackcurranty with a satisfyiung wholeness, good structure and backbone to develop for a few years yet.  A brilliant bargain.

Rating:  4 glasses – A cut above
Value:  Sensational
Food:  Black olive braised beef

Ross Noble – Wine Writer for The Courier Newspaper, Adelaide Hills, SA.

Eighteen top wines for Father’s Day
Salute:  Bella Vigna Shiraz

Haselgrove was acquired by four Italian Australians in 2008.  Greg Clack is chief winemaker.  The Haselgrove Bella Vigna Beautiful Vineyard Shiraz 2009 is sourced from some of McLaren Vale’s best vineayrds and it shows in the depth of flavour.  There are ripe raspberry and blackberry aromas and falvours and well intergrated oak.  It is a rich, and rewarding wine that deserves prime beef or game, or maybe full flavoured cheeses.
$25 – Mail Order

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

Haselgrove is pleased to announce the major wine sponsorship of the South Australian Childhood Cancer Association -  a very worthy cause. 

The Childhood Cancer Association is South Australia’s key organisation, dedicated to providing emotional, practical and financial support to families in need.  Formed in 1982, this commited group was originally run by a group of volunteer parents with children with cancer, but by 1992 the demands on their services outweighed the capacity of the volunteers.  With the support of our many donors and corporate sponsors, the decision was made to embrace a new era of professional operations.  The Association now employs 5 full time and 2 part time staff.

Haselgrove now supplies all wine for their Annual Ball, held this year on 31st July, the fundraising events of the Childhood Cancer Association during the year, along with special prices available to their members.  In addition to the wine sponsorship, Clear Image Labels have donated Primo Taglio Sparkling Wine Labels and OI Glass have donated bottles for the centrepieces at Annual Ball.

We thank our suppliers for their contribution and look forward to a long, happy and successful relationship with CCA in the future.

To make a donation or for further information, please check out - Childhood Cancer Association or contact them on: 08 8239 1444.

First the 2008 Bella Vigna McLaren Vale Shiraz was awarded a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in London.

Then it was awarded 5 stars by Winestate Magazine in their Shiraz Challenge.

Now it is in the running for Winestate’s Shiraz of the Year… only time will tell. 

Look for the results in the September issue of Winestate Magazine, but I’m sure that if we win, you’ll all know about it through the grapevine!

Meanwhile, you can purchase the Bella Vigna Shiraz from The Edinburgh Cellars at Mitcham for around $25 per bottle, or it’s available direct from the winery.  Just let us know if you’d like a case!

A GREAT WINE FOR DRINKS WITH FRIENDS OR SERVE WITH PENNE SALCICCIA.
This fruit driven wine is styled for immediate enjoyment.

COLOUR

Deep plum with purple hues and brilliant clarity.

AROMA

Concentrated dark berries with a touch of mulberry, vanilla and cinnamon spice from the oak.

PALATE

Youthful and intense, the palate displays generous ripe plums and dark berries with good flavour persistence and a fine grain tannin finish. An intense and well-balanced young wine.

ALCOHOL  14.5%

PRICE  $12 per bottle, $144 per dozen

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BEST SERVED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PIZZA OR SPINACH & FETTA PIE.
This fresh fruit driven wine should be enjoyed now.

COLOUR

Ruby red with a purple hue.

AROMA

Lifted blackberry and blueberry aromas with nuances of mocha chocolate and subtle oak complexity.

PALATE

Soft, round and rich with generous blackcurrant, cinnamon and cherry flavours and a lingering finish. A tight tannin structure complemented by subtle nutty oak.

ALCOHOL  13.5%

PRICE  $12 per bottle, $144 per dozen

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BEST SERVED LIGHTLY CHILLED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE SEAFOOD DISH OR TRADITIONAL FISH & CHIPS ON THE BEACH.
This fresh, fruit driven wine should be enjoyed now.

COLOUR

Brilliant very pale straw yellow.

AROMA

Lifted aromas of figs and tropical fruits combine with lime, fresh peach and apricot.

PALATE

An upfront palate of peaches, honey dew melon and fresh apricot which finishes with a hint of residual fruit sweetness.

ALCOHOL  13.0%

PRICE  $12 per bottle, $144 per dozen

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BEST SERVED LIGHTLY CHILLED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE ASIAN DISH OR A CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD.
This fresh, fruit driven wine should be enjoyed in its youth.

COLOUR

Clear and translucent with a youthful green tinge.

AROMA

Showing bright passionfruit and fresh green grass aromas from the Sauvignon Blanc, with depth and citrus lime characters from the Semillon.

PALATE

A zesty palate full of flavour of limes and citrus with a tingle on the tongue.

ALCOHOL  12.0%

PRICE  $12 per bottle, $144 per dozen