2023 Nova Shiraz Touriga
2023 Nova Shiraz Touriga
This Shiraz Touriga blend is the inaugural release of an exciting new addition to the Thomas Wines suite of red wines.
This new label is a contemporary expression of blending Shiraz with some newer and emerging varietals within the region, and provides an interesting contrast to our DJV Shiraz Pinot Noir which is our tribute to the traditional ‘Hunter River Burgundy’ blends of the past.
Only 144 dozen bottles have been produced.
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Winemaking Overview
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In the Vineyard
The relatively late, long growing season of 2023 is widely regarded as outstanding in the Hunter Valley.
The Shiraz component of this wine was a small block that we were able to secure just for this vintage from the (former) Mistletoe Estate property on Hermitage Road, planted in 1989. We also sourced a tiny parcel of Hunter Valley Touriga Nacional in 2023, with the view of potentially playing around with another Shiraz blend to sit alongside our DJV Shiraz Pinot Noir.
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In the Winery
This wine is a blend of Shiraz (96%) and Touriga (4%). During fermentation, the Mistletoe Shiraz parcel looked so aromatically vibrant and pretty, we just knew from the outset this would be worthy of a single vineyard bottling.
It wasn't until later in the maturation process we realised that this was the parcel of Shiraz that our tiny parcel of Touriga just meshed with so perfectly, providing a dried spice and floral element to the wine that was just too compelling to ignore.
13.2% ABV
94/100 - Q Wine Reviews
"Imitation is said to be the best form of flattery, and there is some good humour and banter behind this Thomas Wines Nova Shiraz Touriga debut. I suspect Thommo finally bit the bullet to give a polite "up yours", and sure enough, he's landed a killer blow. For many years, Thommo's good mate Mike De Iuliis has slayed the wine show scene with his Shiraz Touriga blend. And as good mates do, Thommo couldn't help but suggest that those few drops of Touriga in the blend made the difference. This is a ripper. A parcel of Touriga was made available to Thommo and the quality was too good to pass up, so the Nova Shiraz Touriga (96/4 blend) was born. Pretty aromas of violets and purple flowers harpoon this skyward. Lacey and delicate, it glides about with sheer ease. Fabulously medium bodied, blueberries, boysenberries and red currants shine with a flicker of red apple crunch adding vitality and an attractive energy wrapped up by a spicy ripple in the tail. Sliding down all too easily, this is a hard recommendation."
View SourceTasting Notes
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Appearance & Aroma
The colour is a vibrant youthful purple
with an enticing nose of fresh red and black fruits, violets alongside a savory waft of pink peppercorn, miso and sun-baked earth.
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Palate & Finish
The palate is intense and layered with an immediate fresh boysenberry, sour cherry, blackberry and damson plum core of fruit with notes of licorice, bay leaf, hazelnut and split cedar adding an earthy tone. This wine is bountiful and structured with ripe al dente tannins and an excellent length of palate.
WHEN TO DRINK
This inaugural vintage release of Nova Shiraz Touriga is deliciously enjoyable during the freshness and vibrancy of its youth, but we suspect that some medium-term cellaring will also be rewarded.
The Vineyards
Whilst I have always applied a no compromise, attention to detail approach to my winemaking, I truly believe that 90% of the quality lies in the vineyard. The key to great wine is ‘keeping it simple’ to preserve that potential quality from the vine through to the bottle - Andrew Thomas