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Tellurian Wines Australia
Tellurian Wines from Australia, Looking For Importers In USA.
About Us
The ancient, red, Cambrian soils of the renowned Heathcote region are as visually stunning as they are significant in their influence on wines from this region. The name Tellurian, meaning of the earth, was inspired by these unique soils.
Our goal is to produce handcrafted wines with an equal balance of intensity and elegance, that reflect the distinctive 500 million year old Cambrian soils in which our vines are grown.
Tellurian Wines Heathcote was established by Ian Hopkins in 2002 with the purchase of a parcel of farming land on the western slopes of the Mt Camel range, overlooking the township of Toolleen. The original Tellurian vineyard was planted to Shiraz that year, with further plantings in 2003, 2006, 2011 and 2012.
In 2006 Winemaker Tobias Ansted and viticultural consultant Tim Brown joined Tellurian in preparation for the first vintage, which produced the 2008 Tellurian Heathcote Shiraz. In 2009 the first Pastiche Shiraz was introduced, combining fruit from both our Tranter Rd Vineyard, and the Tuohey family vineyard.
The Vineyard
Our Tranter Rd vineyard is located on the western slopes of the Mt Camel Range overlooking the township of Toolleen. The 80 ha of land includes 22 ha under vine, comprising of 16 ha of Shiraz planted in 2002, 2003 and 2006, with the remaining area planted in 2011 and 2012 including grenache, mourvedre, viognier and marsanne.
The cambrian soils are deep, rich, red decomposed greenstone, with soils depths across the vineyard up to 2m. These ancient cambrian soils of the Toolleen area of the Heathcote region combined with viticultural practices that focus on optimising fruit quality from each vine, provides the base building blocks for our wines. Our flagship Tellurian Tranter Shiraz is made exclusively from our Tranter Rd vineyard and Tellurian Winemaker Tobias Ansted and viticulturist Tim Brown work closely with select growers near Toolleen, to ensure vineyard management and harvesting practices yield optimum quality fruit that contributes to our Pastiche Shiraz, Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre, Viognier and Marsanne.
The Winemaking
Our overarching winemaking philosophy is to allow the fruit to have full expression with winemaking and oak inputs playing a supporting role. Under this philosophy each wine is handcrafted to express the characteristics of the site and the subtleties of the particular vintage.
95 Points - Ultimate Wine Challenge 2014
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The People
Winemaker Tobias Ansted has worked in the region for over a decade, and amassed a wealth of experience obtained from over 20 vintage in Australia and Europe, including vintages in Burgundy, Loire Valley and Rhone Valley. Tobias works on a minimal intervention basis to craft wines that display a true expression of their site.
Viticulturist Tim Brown has orchestrated vineyard management practices that ensure crop loads are carefully managed on a vine by vine basis to deliver optimum fruit quality. This includes shoot thinning, vertical shoot positioning and green harvesting.
Proprietors Ian Hopkins & Daniel Hopkins share a lifelong passion for wines from the Heathcote region, which was the springboard for the establishment of the Tellurian venture.
Our Wines
2012 TRANTER HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ
THE VINTAGE
The 2012 season started well with good winter rain. Early Spring growth was ideal followed by moderate temperatures and reasonable rainfall contributing to good canopy growth. Growing and ripening conditions from December through to February were close to perfect. Despite some rain events in late February, the fruit was hand-picked in excellent condition, between the 2nd and 9th of March between 13.5 and 14.2 baume.
THE WINE
This wine shows the ability of the Heathcote region to consistently produce Shiraz with great intensity of flavour as well as exceptional balance. The nose shows dark plum and spice aromas plus hints of charcuterie and some more earthy notes. On the palate the wine opens with plum and cherry fruit as the main drivers, followed by smoked meats, wild herbs, earth and dark cocoa. The fine tannins build on the palate and combine with powerful fruit, to provide great length and structure for ageing.
ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 14.2%, Titratable Acidity: 5.4 g/L, pH: 3.772012
PASTICHE HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ
THE VINTAGE (92 Points)
The 2012 season started well with good winter rain. Early Spring growth was ideal followed by moderate temperatures and reasonable rainfall contributing to good canopy growth. Growing and ripening conditions from December through to February were close to perfect. Despite decent rain events in late February, the fruit was hand-picked in excellent condition, between 1st & 9th March.
THE WINE
The Pastiche is a vibrant expression of Heathcote Shiraz, made in a medium-bodied style where the focus is on bright fruit combined with subtle oak. Bright red purple colour. The nose displays aromas of dark plum and black fruit with hints of cocoa and sweet spice. The palate is bright and vibrant with rich dark fruit intensity, well balanced acidity, with fine tannin structure providing great length. This Shiraz is made to be approachable in its youth, but will also gain in complexity and finesse over the next 3-5 years.
ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 14.4%, Titratable Acidity: 5.25 g/L, pH: 3.8