Seppelt Unveils 2019 Luxury Collection Release
Jun 12, 2019
On Wednesday 5th June, Seppelt releases The 2019 Luxury Collection – an annual showcase of the celebrated styles and quality Seppelt is renowned for.
Ten wines make up this year’s release, each exemplary of their vintage, region and style. Led by the flagship 2017 St Peters Grampians Shiraz, the Collection also includes the sought-after Drumborg Vineyard releases and the anticipated formal release of 2008 Show Sparkling Shiraz – a noteworthy vintage, displaying remarkable cellarability and style.
“The 2019 Seppelt Luxury Collection wines are a testament to the diversity and quality of our vineyards,” says Adam Carnaby, Seppelt Winemaker. “Sourced from an array of Victoria’s most renowned winemaking regions, these wines are crafted to truly reflect their regional nuances - unique characteristics which are quintessentially Seppelt in style.”
“In particular, the 2017 St Peters Shiraz is a real tribute to what the Grampians region can deliver. Utterly distinctive in style, this year’s release was again sourced from the finest, most intense fruit – resulting in a powerful wine – equally displaying great finesse that will continue to evolve with age.”
Delivering a promising vintage, 2019 also marks a number of significant milestones for Seppelt, namely; 55 years since the forerunner to St Peters Shiraz, ‘Great Western Hermitage’, was first crafted and the renowned Drumborg Vineyard was planted in 1964. Additionally, it’s been 20 years since the first bottling of Jaluka Chardonnay – a wine made to be enjoyed on release but equally known for its ability to age gracefully, with the 2018 vintage no exception.
“2018 was a magic year across our regions and 2017 in the Grampians resulted in elegant expressions that are complete and well balanced. Together with the return of Mount Ida and the awaited 2008 Show Sparkling, myself and the team continue to be proud of what this Collection delivers.”
This is the second year Seppelt’s premier wines are released in unison, helping provide consumer clarity around the winery’s leading expressions and guidance for vintage release timing. The Collection will continue to release annually, with the wines included being vintage dependant.
Seppelt Luxury Collection 2019 Release
2017 St Peters Grampians Shiraz
Select parcels from the Great Western Vineyard were fermented on skins in open fermenters for 10-12 days, followed by maturation for 14 months.
The complex, perfumed nose shows aromas of blueberries and redcurrants laced with sweet spice, violets and charcuterie notes.
The medium-bodied palate shows sweet mulberry fruit and spice combined with savoury elements and graphite-like mineral characters over a subtle toasty oak background.
This is a powerful, seductive wine of great finesse.
2008 Show Sparkling Shiraz
Whole berry fermentation in small stainless tanks with gentle handling followed by 14 months maturation in seasoned French oak.
Produced by the Méthode Traditionelle this wine has had 8 years aging in bottle on lees followed by individual bottle disgorgement.
Fragrant blackberry fruit with complex spicy, meaty notes and a hint of cigar box.
Fine and long, the palate shows rich mulberry fruit combined with black olive tapenade and charcuterie finishing with rich, dark chocolatey tannins and delicately balanced sweetness.
2017 Mount Ida Heathcote Shiraz
Hand-picked fruit from the Mt Ida Vineyard was de-stemmed with no crushing, then fermented on skins in open fermenters for 10 days with gentle hand-plunging, followed by maturation for 14 months.
The nose displays aromas of dark plums and chocolate with earthy spice and meaty elements in the background.
The palate has bright, crunchy blackberry fruit combined with savoury, earthy characters. Fine powdery tannins, fleshy texture and well integrated cedary oak add complexity.
2018 Drumborg Vineyard Henty Pinot Noir
7-10 days’ fermentation on skins, followed by partial barrel fermentation and 9 months maturation.
The perfumed nose shows complex aromas of cherry and redcurrants.
The palate shows sour cherry fruit and charcuteries notes combined with fine tannins and a backbone of toasty French oak.
2019 Drumborg Vineyard Henty Riesling
Following hand-picking, three parcels were crushed and pressed then partially clarified with some solids included.
The perfumed nose has aromas of lime and white flowers with a touch of aniseed.
The palate shows an innate purity with concentrated lime fruit and lemon sorbet supported with textural elements and a backbone of fine, chalky acid producing a powerful wine with balance and length
2018 Drumborg Vineyard Henty Chardonnay
Whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented with full solids included and no MLF.
Aromas of spiced pear, lemon zest and white flowers combined with complex flinty notes.
The palate shows fresh pear and citrus flavours combined with subtle toasty oak and crisp, mineral acidity.
A delicate, yet powerful wine.
2018 Drumborg Vineyard Henty Pinot Meunier
The fruit was destemmed into small open fermenters with a proportion of whole bunches included.
The perfumed nose shows complex aromas of strawberry, redcurrants and sweet spice combined with gunflint notes.
On the palate flavours of redcurrants and spiced cherries combine with velvety tannins and subtle, well integrated oak.
2013 Salinger Henty Vintage Pinot Noir Chardonnay
36 months in bottle on secondary fermentation lees before disgorgement in the Méthode Traditionelle.
The nose shows citrus and green apple aromas with brioche and nutty characters derived from ageing on lees.
The palate combines delicate citrus fruits with toasted brioche and creamy lees characters supported by a fine mineral acid structure.
2017 Chalambar Grampians and Heathcote Shiraz
Made from premium fruit parcels from the Grampians and Heathcote regions, the Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz is fermented on skins for an average of 8 days then matured in a combination of oak.
The perfumed nose shows bright raspberry and blueberry fruits while the palate is soft and plush with mulberry and blueberry fruits combined with complex spice flavours supported by fine, velvety tannins.
2018 Jaluka Henty Chardonnay
100% barrel fermented with solids included and only a small amount of MLF.
The nose shows aromas of white peach, citrus blossom and nutty barrel ferment characters.
On the palate, white peach flavours combine with citrus notes and subtle spicy oak characters.