Best's GREAT WESTERN Chardonnay Victoria

The flagship of the Best's range is undoubtedly the Great Western Range planted at Concongella Creek. Of the original 30 hectares planted by Henry Best in 1866, three remain in production to this day. The Pinot Meunier is produced from vines planted by Henry Best back in 1869

From Victoria, where the fifth generation of the Thompson family grow grapes at the Concongella vineyard in Great Western, their iconic wine. A big, powerfully dark, but supple Shiraz with masses of good fresh berry & sweet cherry fruit and well integrated oak; an elegantly concentrated, complex and velvety textured wine. (12 x 75 cl)

Fruit from the Concongonella vineyard, which has a cool to cold climate. The soil is dry, has poor water retention and is difficult to cultivate, conditions which the vine thrives on. This is of medium weight and has delicate, spicy strawberry aromas with a trace of California poppy in the background; the palate displays ripe Pinot flavours (12 x 75 cl)

Slightly over-shadowed by the phenomenal success of the Bin 0 Shiraz, the Cabernet is made in the same manner, with little human interference of the high quality fruit. Fresh leafy characters, sweet and sour aromas with mint, raisins and cassis interjecting, this is big and powerful. (12 x 75 cl)

2001 at 'Concongella' Great Western was one of the hottest years on record, following on from a relatively dry winter. A very early season until mid to late March, when late rains, while doing very little damage, changed the ripening pattern. Ripening was slowed further by winter closing in with extremes of cold. To sum up, a difficult season. Two years on and Viv Thomson and Hamish Seabrook are very satisfied with this pedigree wine, as it has certainly far, far surpassed earlier expectations. Grapes of four different planting's have been used in the 2001 Bin N0 0 Shiraz, 1966,1970, 1992 and 1994. It is the first time that the 1992 and 1994 vines have reached the standard required for Bin No 0. A lot has been talked about the age of vines and it is gratifying to see a young vineyard come to fruition. Compared to previous vintages this wine shows a little more oak, which should integrate nicely with time. The 'Bin No O' has all the hallmarks of fine Shiraz produced from grapes grown exclusively on Best's Concongella vineyard. Bin No O has complexity, power and longevity, while maturation in oak puncheons for over two years prior to bottling makes this Shiraz very approachable even as a young wine. A fruit driven, powerful yet elegant Shiraz, abundant in dark forest fruits. Great with very hearty, robust spicy dishes. However for a change, try with lamb spiced with black and green olives and mustard. The label design is almost an exact replica of Henry Best's 1800's label. (12 x 75 cl)

Harmonious elegance is the hallmark of this wine with its definite peaks of flavour and good length. Aged in American oak puncheons, the colour is brilliant crimson while the bouquet shows fresh spicy Shiraz fruit and hints of pepper. Lighter in structure than its sister Bin No 0, it is eminently drinkable now but, under good cellaring conditions, has the attributes to mature in the bottle for a number of years. Great with very hearty, robust spicy dishes or your more casual meal, such as herbed spicy Italian style sausages, lamb with olives or even grilled or roasted highly seasoned antipasta. Bin No 1 is produced entirely from Great Western Shiraz grown on our youngest vineyard, Salvation Hills situated 11 kilometres south of our historic vineyard, Concongella. A very late, extended season, with grapes and vines generally in good condition at vintage time. (12 x 75 cl)

The flagship of the Best's range is undoubtedly the Great Western Range planted at Concongella Creek. Of the original 30 hectares planted by Henry Best in 1866, three remain in production to this day. The Pinot Meunier is produced from vines planted by Henry Best back in 1869

The flagship of the Best's range is undoubtedly the Great Western Range planted at Concongella Creek. Of the original 30 hectares planted by Henry Best in 1866, three remain in production to this day. The Pinot Meunier is produced from vines planted by Henry Best back in 1869 (12 x 75 cl)

Five generations of the Thompson family have been making outstanding Shiraz in Australia since 1866. The current vintages show blackberry/dark cherry & mint, chocolate & liquorice with quite firm, chewy tannins, Sheer indulgence! (12 x 75 cl)