Author: Vic Hills

DRY RED

by Vic Hills, posted in DRY RED

Screen Shot 2016-08-18 at 10.36.13 AM

One of the mystiques of wine is why one vintage differs from another.

A heavier crop harvested slightly earlier than usual contributed to the structure of this wine. Lighter in body and with a lower alcohol level of 13 %, though our distinctive Shiraz character still shines through. Garnet red with plum and berry flavours, backed by black pepper, spice and sweet vanilla flavours.

Good to drink when released but will continue to improve over 6 – 8 years.

Currently Available:

  • Dry Red 2013
  • Dry Red 2016

Platter’s Ratings:

Dry Red 2011 – 3 stars

Dry Red 2013 – 3½ stars –  Platter’s Hidden Gem

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

by Vic Hills, posted in CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Screen Shot 2016-08-18 at 10.36.13 AM

The Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

We have three Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards of approximately 0.75 hectare each. The vineyards are established on deep, well drained weathered granite soils and are generally located on north-east facing slopes. The vineyards are trellised and the canopy managed throughout the season to ensure optimum phenolic ripeness of the grapes. Supplementary drip irrigation is applied. The crop is reduced to between 6 and 8 tons per hectare by suckering soon after bud burst. This contributes to high quality fruit. Grapes are picked by hand.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon       100%

Winemaking: Fermented with selected yeasts in semi-open fermentation vats. Made in a classic, low intervention manner without extended maceration. Matured for 24 months in new, second and third fill French Oak barrels, racked at intervals as necessary. Lightly polished ahead of bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Deep red with bright purple rim.

Aroma: Immediate blackcurrant and chocolate aromas on the nose. Hints of cedar and cigar box from the French Oak back these up.

Palate: The blackcurrant flavours with cassis and plum notes contribute to a fruit driven palate within a structure of smooth, muscular tannins that continue to soften.

Good to drink when released but will continue to improve over the next 6 – 8 years.

Currently available:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Awards:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 –  WineStyle People’s Choice – Silver Award
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – WineStyle People’s Choice – Silver Award

Platter’s Ratings: 

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – 3 stars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – 3 stars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – 3½ stars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – 3 stars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 – 3 stars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – 3½ stars

PINOT NOIR

by Vic Hills, posted in PINOT NOIR

Screen Shot 2016-08-18 at 10.36.13 AM

The Hills Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is Burgundy’s most famous Noble grape. It has the reputation of being a fickle grape that demands optimum growing conditions but is well suited to our terroir and warm days followed by cool evenings.

We have three Pinot Noir vineyards of approximately 0.75 hectare each. The vineyards are established on deep, well drained weathered granite soils and are generally located on north-east facing slopes. The vineyards are trellised and the canopy managed throughout the season to ensure optimum phenolic ripeness of the grapes. Supplementary drip irrigation is applied. The crop is reduced to between 6 and 8 tons per hectare by suckering soon after bud burst. This contributes to high quality fruit. Grapes are picked by hand.

Blend: Pinot Noir  100%

Winemaking: Fermented with selected yeasts in semi-open fermentation vats. Made in a classic, low intervention manner without extended maceration. The fermented must is lightly pressed and the wine aged for 12 months in old French Oak barrels to minimize overpowering the delicate wine with wood characters. The 2018 and later vintages relied on natural yeast for fermentation and the wine was not filtered before bottling. A light cloudiness may be observed in certain bottles.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Bright plum skin.

Aroma: Floral cherry and berry aromas supported by delicate forest floor aromas.

Palate: Fresh red fruit flavours with light tannins and subtle earthiness on the finish.

Good to drink when released but will continue to improve over the next 3 – 5 years.

Currently available:

  • Pinot Noir 2013
  • Pinot Noir 2015 (sorry sold out)
  • Pinot Noir 2018

Platter’s ratings:

Pinot Noir 2010 – 3 stars

Pinot Noir 2013 – 3 stars

Pinot Noir 2015 – 3½ stars

ENSEMBLE

by Vic Hills, posted in ENSEMBLE

Screen Shot 2016-08-18 at 10.36.13 AM

The Hills Ensemble

We have three Cabernet Sauvignon and one Shiraz vineyard of approximately 0.75 hectare each. The vineyards are established on deep, well drained weathered granite soils and are generally located on north-east facing slopes. The vineyards are trellised and the canopies managed throughout the season to ensure optimum phenolic ripeness of the grapes. Supplementary drip irrigation is applied. The crops are reduced to between 6 and 10 tons per hectare respectively by suckering soon after bud burst, followed by one ‘green harvest’ later in the year. This contributes to the intense flavours of the wine.

Blend:  Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Shiraz 40%

Winemaking:  Separate fermentation of the two cultivars with selected yeasts in semi-open fermentation vats. Made in a classic, low intervention manner without extended maceration. Matured for 24 months in new, second and third fill French Oak barrels, racked at intervals as necessary. The two cultivars were blended and lightly polished before bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Opaque with bright purple rim

Aroma: Ripe red fruit and chocolate aromas backed up by hints of cedar and spice from the French Oak

Palate: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz brings out the best of the two cultivars. A well balanced wine with grainy tannins that will continue to soften. Fresh red fruit and ripe plum flavours dominate, with hints of chocolate, tobacco, black pepper and cedar.

Good to drink when released but will continue to improve over the next 6 – 8 years.

Currently available:

  • Ensemble 2013 (CS 60% / SH 40%)
  • Ensemble 2014 (CS 60% / SH 40 %)
  • Ensemble 2015 (CS 60% / SH 40%)

Awards:

  • Ensemble 2009 (CS 60% / SH 40%) – WineStyle People’s Choice – Gold Award
  • Ensemble 2010 (CS 60% / SH 40%) – WineStyle People’s Choice – Silver Award

Platter’s Ratings:

Ensemble 2008 – 3 stars

Ensemble 2009 – 3 stars

Ensemble 2010 – 3 stars

Ensemble 2011 – 3 stars

Ensemble 2013 – 3½ stars

Ensemble 2014 – 2½ stars

Ensemble 2015 – 2½ stars

CHENIN BLANC

by Vic Hills, posted in CHENIN BLANC

cb-2016-transparent-back

The Hills Chenin Blanc

Remnants of an old Chenin Blanc vineyard line the entrance road to the farm. The original vineyard was established on deep, well drained weathered granite soils located on the crest of a hill. The vines are trellised and the canopy managed throughout the season to ensure optimum phenolic ripeness of the grapes. No supplementary drip irrigation is applied, with reliance on natural precipitation. The crop yield is naturally low due to the age of the vines.

Blend: Chenin Blanc  100%

Winemaking: The grapes are cooled, crushed and pressed on delivery to the cellar. Fermented with Chenin yeasts in closed fermentation tanks. On completion of fermentation the wine remains on the lees for approximately 6 weeks before cold stabilization and light filtering ahead of bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Clear light green.

Aroma: Subtle melon, peach and citrus notes.

Palate: A crisp, well balanced dry white wine that served chilled will complement fish, white meat and vegetarian dishes.

Enjoy within three to five years of vintage.

Currently Available:

  • Chenin Blanc 2020