We’re very happy with the big rainfall we have received so far, 25 inches or 616mm will go a long way to creating high quality grapes and vines. At present we are slashing, dis-budding and vine training both Dalwhinnie and Forest Hut (The Hut) vineyards. I must say that the Pyrenees is looking stunning this time of year with fresh growth everywhere. We are also busy with the release of “The Hut” range of wines. I believe the style is a big step up on last year’s with the Rose 2011 looking as good as Rose gets and the Pinot Noir 2011 awesome with its 100% whole cluster fermentation and 6 months new oak maturation. The Hut Chardonnay is due for release in a few weeks and is also looking extremely good. We recently lined up 30 vintages of Moonambel Shiraz and Moonambel Cabernet at venues in Sydney, Wildfire Restaurant, and The European in Melbourne. It has given me great pleasure in not only tasting these great wines but reflecting on the economic cycles and the extreme seasons like the drought 1982-83 and the three great vintages 1990, 1991 and 1992. If you can keep your Dalwhinnie Moonambel reds at 12 – 14 degrees constant they have the ability to cellar for a very long time. The tannin structure in these wines although not aggressive will carry the fruit for decades. We have a tiny amount of the 2008 reds still available at cellar door, a 9/10 vintage. We’ll be contacting our Eagle Eye members soon with the offer of a ‘Winemaker’s Selection’, so look out for that. 
David assessing wines at the European where our
30 Year Dalwhinnie Retrospective Tasting was held on the 10th October 2011
 Don't miss out on next year's 'Seduction by Tastebuds' lunch with renowned Melbourne Chef Andrew Blake, from Blake's Feast. 11th August 2012
Langton’s Classification VOnce again Dalwhinnie has been recognized as one of Australia’s iconic producers with not one, but two of our wines classified in the just-released Langton’s Classification V. Eagle obtained the classification of OUTSTANDING defined by Langton’s as “benchmark quality wines with a very strong market following”. The Moonambel Shiraz was classified EXCELLENT or “High-performing wines of exquisite quality”! We are in excellent company, to see the full classification have a look at the attached PDF! Download PDF here.
ReviewsDalwhinnie The Hut Shiraz 2010
Epicure, The Age
April 2011
“The Hut 2010 shiraz sports one of the coolest labels going—Austin Powers meets Mary Quant in orange, brown and blue triangles. The Hut is produced by the Pyrenees-based Dalwhinnie and yells its heritage from the glass with the heady scent of minty eucalyptus. There’s no mistaking this wine’s origin. Eucalyptus aside, the young shiraz is a dense purple. Solid and strong, the wine has a world of juicy, ripe blackberry fruit, spiced lums and PK gumlike chewiness. Drink young to preserve the juicy fruit. Mike Bennie, Wine Business
Magazine WBM September 2011
Malty oak with vanilla undercurrants – oh, and some herbs and white pepper too. The palate is peppery and spearminty; shows freshness as black fruits trundle through neatly. Coiled and impressive ‘baby’ Dalwhinnie.
Rating: 92/100
Dalwhinnie Cabernet Moonambel 2009
Robert Parker
eRobertParker.com
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon has pronounced notes of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, eucalypt, allspice, vanilla and nutella on toast. Medium bodied, it has a generous amount of blackberry and black currant flavor, medium-high acid, a firm level of chewy tannins and a long minty finish. Still a little tight and angular, it needs another year or two in bottle and should drink best 2014 to 2020+. Dalwhinnie does not have a USA importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 92 Drink: 2014 - 2020
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2009
James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion 2012
Highly polished blueberry and blackberry fruit bouquet, showing well-integrated toasty oak, Asian allspice, game and vivid mineral complexity; the palate is finely layered with vibrant red fruits and crunchy acidity prominent, offset by silky fine-grained tannins and an engagingly long and harmonious conclusion; a little time will also be well rewarded.
Rating: 95 To: 2020
Robert Parker
eRobertParker.com
The 2009 Chardonnay gives pronounced aromas of ripe apricots, honeydew melon, cedar, buttered toast and a hint of honeycomb. The light to medium bodied palate has very crisp acidity, concentrated stone and tropical fruit flavors and a very long, slightly cedary finish. It needs time for the oak to marry and should drink best 2012 to 2016+. Dalwhinnie does not have a USA importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 91+ Drink: 2012 - 2016
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay 2008
James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion 2012
Deep in colour and showing a rich, toasty and developed bouquet of fig, straw, grapefruit and fennel; the palate is dense, unctuous and hedonistic; with quite simply more of everything working in complete harmony; a little old fashioned, but done very well indeed.
Rating: 94 To: 2014
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2008
James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion 2011
Jun 2010
“The recent vintages of Shirazes coming off this estate are seriously worth finding. Beginning with the very deep garnet-purple colored 2008 Moonambel Shiraz, there’s a moderate, muted intensity of ripe blackberry and blueberry aromas with a dash of anise and black pepper leading into savory game, marmite and toasted nut notes. The medium to full-bodied palate has crisp acid and a medium-high level of very fine tannins. This wine is tightly knit with that elusive combination of concentration and elegance, finishing long. Delicious now, give this wine another year or so to really open, and drink to 2020.”
Rating: 94 Drink: 2010 - 2020 Jeremy Oliver
“A huge return to form for Dalwhinnie. Beautifully ripe and vibrant, with layers of deliciously spicy fruit finely integrated with oak and tannin. Deep, ripe aromas of dark berry/plum fruit are backed by musky spices and fresh cedary, gamey notes. Long, smooth and succulent, with a seamless presence of juicy dark cherry/plum flavour tightly knit with vanilla oak, it finishes with persistent meaty undertones and a fine, lingering grip of dusty, astringent tannins.”
Rating: 18.7/95 Drink: 2016 - 2020+ Robert Parker
June 2010
The recent vintages of Shirazes coming off this estate are seriously worth finding. Beginning with the very deep garnet-purple colored 2008 Moonambel Shiraz, there’s a moderate, muted intensity of ripe blackberry and blueberry aromas with a dash of anise and black pepper leading into savory game, marmite and toasted nut notes. The medium to full-bodied palate has crisp acid and a medium-high level of very fine tannins. This wine is tightly knit with that elusive combination of concentration and elegance, finishing long. Delicious now, give this wine another year or so to really open, and drink to 2020. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 94 Drink: 2010 - 2020 Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh
The Big Red Wine Book 2010/2011 Edition
“An exquisitely delicious red. We’re rating it below last year’s release for sheer quality, but in truth we prefer this as a drink. It’s just so well balanced, so silky smooth, so savoury and yet so sweet. It tastes of plums, coffee beans, Asian spices and woodsmoke. Trace elements of mint provide lift. It has beautiful but unobtrusive tannin and gorgeous input from oak. A wonderful Aussie red.”
Rating: 95 Points Drink: 2011 – 2020 Robert Geddes MW
Australian Wine Vintages 28th Edition (Gold Book)
“Very seductive scents of ripe blackberry with deep-set middle-palate fruit and fine tannins creating its seamless texture. Enormous, powerful fruit yet finishes dry and firm.”
Rating: 5 gold stars Drink: 2020
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2008
James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion 2011
June 2010
“The 2008 Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon will be a real crowd pleaser. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it has fragrant aromas of freshly crushed black currant, blackberries with supporting notes of cloves, cigar boxes, dark chocolate and lamb fat plus a not unpleasant whiff of mint and bay leaf. The medium-bodied palate has moderate alcohol at around 13.5% yet is plenty ripe with great fruit concentration supported by crisp acid and a medium-high level of very fine tannins, finishing long. Give this wine another year or two to soften and marry on the palate and enjoy drinking through 2022+.”
Rating: 92 Drink: 2010 - 2022 Robert Parker
June 2010
The 2008 Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon will be a real crowd pleaser. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it has fragrant aromas of freshly crushed black currant, blackberries with supporting notes of cloves, cigar boxes, dark chocolate and lamb fat plus a not unpleasant whiff of mint and bay leaf. The medium-bodied palate has moderate alcohol at around 13.5% yet is plenty ripe with great fruit concentration supported by crisp acid and a medium-high level of very fine tannins, finishing long. Give this wine another year or two to soften and marry on the palate and enjoy drinking through 2022+. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Dalwhinnie Southwest Rocks Shiraz 2008
Robert Parker
June 2010
From vines planted in 1995, the 2008 South West Rocks Shiraz gives a very deep garnet-purple color and an incredibly perfumed nose of red roses, ripe raspberry and milk chocolate with some espresso, Chinese five-spice and Szechuan pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate is crisp and concentrated with very silky, seductive tannins and a very long finish. Only 120 cases of each of these single Shirazes have been produced. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 95
Dalwhinnie The Pinnacle Shiraz 2008
Robert Parker
June 2010
The 2008 Pinnacle Shiraz comes from vines planted in 1997. Very deep garnet purple in color, it’s a little mute to begin producing pretty aromas of violets, black pepper, dark chocolate, black cherries and earth. Very crisp in the mouth, it has a medium-high level of very fine, velvety tannins and meaty, savory, spicy flavors coming through in layers. Full-bodied and rich, this wine has a very long finish. Drink 2012 to 2022+. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 95
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2007
Robert Parker
June 2010
Equally good is the 2007 Moonambel Shiraz revealing a deep garnet color and very spicy / peppery aromas plus a nice undercurrent of hung meat and ripe blackberry. The palate is intense very crisp and taut with a medium-high level of fine, chewy tannins, finishing very long. Enjoy now and drink through 2020+. Lastly, there’s a couple of amazing single vineyard Shiraz upcoming releases. David Jones informed me that these two wines are made in more of a Burgundian method with a high proportion of lees used in the maturation and about 40% new oak. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 94 Drink: 2010-2020 James Halliday TOP 100
The Weekend Australian Magazine
Nov 14-15 2009
The 28th vintage of this wine, which owner and ,vinemaker David Jones believes to be the best to date, and I won't argile about that. Brilliant crimson colour; a marvellous combination of elegance and intensity, the rippling red and black fruit flavours supported by silky tannins and oak; extreme length and great balance.
From: Pyrenees, Vic
Drink: to 2020 with braised oxtail 97 Points, 13.5% alc James Halliday TOP 100
The Weekend Australian Magazine
Nov 14-15 2009
The 28th vintage of this wine, which owner and ,vinemaker David Jones believes to be the best to date, and I won't argile about that. Brilliant crimson colour; a marvellous combination of elegance and intensity, the rippling red and black fruit flavours supported by silky tannins and oak; extreme length and great balance.
From: Pyrenees, Vic
Drink: to 2020 with braised oxtail 97 Points, 13.5% alc THE BIG RED WINE BOOK 2009/10
Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh
“The Dalwhinnie shiraz vineyard is one of Australia’s great wine treasures. It has hit top form here. As good as perfect. Here’s that rare beast: it has smoothness, length of flavour, layers to its personality and deliciousness to boot. It has the tannin to age long-term, the balance to make it drink terrifically at any stage of its life and the class to make it stand out. Aged beef, thanks.” Drink: 2010 – 2020. 97 points Wine Business Monthly 100 (May 2009)
“This is a great expression of Dalwhinnie Shiraz which transcends the drought season in this elegant, structured wine, honed down to a streamlined shape. It's tightly structured palate has fresh acidity and sinewy tannins to tie together its black cherry, plum pudding and mixed spice fruit.” 94 points
Dalwhinnie ‘Eagle Series’ Shiraz 2005
JAMES HALLIDAY
Australian Wine Companion 2011
June 2010
“Still pristine and fresh, with more of everything providing plenty of stuffing; redcurrant, blackberry, sage and a touch of mint are all evident; the texture appears to be the key, with all of the elements working together harmoniously; still oaky, but with plenty of time ahead to enjoy witnessing its evolution.”
Rating: 94 Drink: 2010 – 2020
Dalwhinnie ‘Eagle Series’ Shiraz 2004
Wine Business Monthly 100 (May 2009)
“This is an exceedingly graceful Eagle which is set to soar in a decade’s time. It’s remarkably complex, with lifted lavender freshness, charcuterie, roast game, oregano, roasted tomato and hints of smokehouse complexity. With sensational length and line, it brings flashbacks to the greatest vintages on the hill of Hermitage.” 96 points Uncorked Ralph Kyte-Powell ‘Epicure’
The Age Tuesday 26 May 2009
“This flagship from an outstanding Pyrenees maker is a deeply coloured, very concentrated wine that, like most Dalwhinnie reds, doesn’t show regional eucalypt character. Instead light mintiness edges, aromas of juicy mixed berries, spice, blueberry and deep, beef-stocky richness. Trimmed in restrained oak, it is deeply flavoured with lovely texture and balanced ripe tannins.” Ageing - Drink over 10 years. Food ideas: Rare roast beef.
5 stars... $$
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay 2007
Robert Parker
June 2010
The 2007 Moonambel Chardonnay is the first year under screw cap for this wine. This vintage has an incredibly intense nose beginning with pineapple paste, guava and ginger leading into struck matchstick and fresh oats with hints of fennel and coriander seed. The palate is very crisp with good concentration and a long finish. A little tight but approachable now, it should give pleasure through 2018. Dalwhinnie does not have a US importer but exports to Canada, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Rating: 92 Drink: 2010-2018
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay 2006
Tyson Stelzer, Wine Business Magazine
“This is a phenomenal Chardonnay, even by Dalwhinnie’s standards. It’s restrained and compact and at the same time very powerful but in no way luscious or alcoholic. Instead, it’s all about minerality and complexity, with an almond meal suppleness. A wine to contemplate for hours. 95 points”
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2006
Campbell Mattinson 'The Wine Front'
“My kind of wine. Lovely mix of ripe elegant flavour and smart oak, the perfume and style of it both delicious and enchanting. This is a wine distinguished by its complex, elongated, integrated tannin, by its fresh acidity, by its easy length of flavour. It tastes of spice, cherries, plums and musk, and after decanting it for an hour or so, a bottle of this disappeared in a flash. Drink: 2008 - 2020. 94 points”
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2006
“It's an elegant cabernet but there's enough substance to keep all-comers happy. It is a high quality wine. It tastes of pencils, currants, chocolate and eucalypt, and its balance between fruit flavour and complex tannin is impeccable. Musky oak drifts through the aftertaste - this is a medium-weight, well structured cabernet of inherent class. Drink: 2012 - 2017. 93 points” 
Coming EventsNovember 2011
The Pyrenees Petanque Club are hosting the annual Avoca Triples Tournament on November 19th and 20th. Dalwhinnie will be 'on-piste' offering a BBQ lunch and wine sales all day. Enquiries: T 54653058 December 2011 – 7th and 8th December
Federation Square Wine Showcase. Dalwhinnie will be at Fed Square for the 'New Releases' Showcase with 'The Hut' range by Dalwhinnie, and the Moonambel range. Come in and see us. March 2012 – 13th March 2012
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Dalwhinnie are linking up with Cecconi's and other select Victorian Shiraz producers for a Wine and Food Dinner. May 2012 – 5th and 6th May 2012
Grampians Grape Escape at Hall's Gap. Dalwhinnie wines will be there for the weekend. August 2012 – Saturday 11th August 2011
'Seduction by Tastebuds' Lunch to be held at Dalwhinnie featuring renowned chef Andrew Blake of Blake's Feast
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