Paul Selects! Wine of the Week.
Back in 2004 to 2005 I ran a luxury resort in Margaret River, the neighbouring property was the Vineyards of Wills Domain, this weeks Wine of the Week.
Select Cellars has been working with and selling Wills Domain Wines wine from Margaret River since its inception of 2007 - a partnership of 13 years.
5 years ago we went back to Margaret River for a 10 day visit, on the wish list was a lunch at the Award Winning Wills Domain Restaurant at their cellar door. WOW what a lunch, still talking about that lunch amongst our family years later. One of those moments in life we will never forget………………………………. Has to be on your bucket list!!!
I have used their wines at 2 of my children’s Weddings, 5 Wine Dinner Events and my go to wine when I am at home, trust me they are very good quality and well worth having a mix at home.
The 3 Wines I have chosen this week are
- 2018 Wills Domain Eightfold’ Shiraz
- 2017 Wills Domain ‘Single Vineyard’ Semillon
- 2018 Wills Domain ‘Elsies Cane Cut’ Semillon 375ml
Some information on each other wines below.
2018 Wills Domain Eightfold’ Shiraz
COLOUR: Deep brick red cherry.
NOSE: Bristling aromas of eastern spices, black cherries and cocoa descend into a darker foundation of freshly cracked pepper and plums.
PALATE: A vibrant entry of crunchy acidity and fine powdered tannin leads to an ensemble of red fruits dotted with hints of freshly ground coffee, rosewater and allspice. A persistent finish of yet more primal red fruits and citrus blossom. Drink now or be rewarded with cellaring.
WINEMAKING: Shiraz fruit is picked and gently destemmed as whole berries to fermenters. The fruit is cool fermented at 22°C to retain fruit freshness and allow for gentle extraction of tannin and flavour. After 10 days on skin with twice daily pump-overs the wine was gently separated from the skin and transferred to French Oak barriques, 33% of which were new, to complete fermentation. The wine is then aged in French Oak for 12 months before being blended, lightly fined and filtered.
FOOD PAIRING: Duck breast, chargrilled pork chops.
2017 Wills Domain ‘Single Vineyard’ Semillon
COLOUR: Pale straw.
NOSE: Lemon curd, wet slate and freshly cut grass on the nose.
PALATE: Balanced with flavours of white pears and nectarines. Quenching yet coating acidity and texture throughout, brought together by yet more citrus and creamy oak tones on the finish
WINEMAKING: Hand picked in the cool of the morning. Whole clusters of fruit are tipped, crushed and destemmed and then pressed into tank with around 15% of the juice finding its way to 2nd year (softened) French oak barriques for fermentation and subtle oak integration. The various dry parcels are then blended, to capture its vibrancy and freshness.
FOOD PAIRING: Soft Cheese, Seafood.
2018 Wills Domain ‘Elsies Cane Cut’ Semillon 375ml
COLOUR: Lovely straw colour with tinges of green.
NOSE: The nose shows attractive concentrated aromas of apricot, banana and lemon meringue.
PALATE: Rich luscious and generous with a complexity of marmalade, apricots and lime flavours, with a balanced refreshing crisp acidity.
WINEMAKING: The wine is immediately appealing on the nose showing brightly fruited notes of lemon peel, white fleshy nectarine and grapefruit with a subtle touch of sweet basil leaves. It is juicy and vibrant on the palate with youthful fruit intensity together with crisp acidity, finishing long and mouth-watering. At its best: now to 2024.
FOOD PAIRING: Deserts featuring coconut, guava and peaches.