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Jim Barry was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry, the first academically qualified winemaker to take up Clare Valley viticulture in 1949. He had an uncanny intuition for good land and established some of the most illustrious vineyards on the continent. Jim Barry is also a patriarch of the Coonawarra, in pursuit of the perfect terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon, he planted vines on the ancient Penola Cricket Oval, preserving the original pavilion for posterity. Jim Barry endures as one of the nation's most distinguished brands, renowned throughout the world of wine for decades of the most remarkable vintages, an evolving range of superior vineyard editions, defined by their penetrating fruit and seamless tannins, essential for every enthusiast of identifiably Australian, claret style Cabernet.. Salient statements from superior sites»

Bellvale Chardonnay CONFIRM VINTAGE

Chardonnay Gippsland Victoria
There are a mere five hectares Chardonnay at Bellvale, planted to a number of clones for opulence and complexity. Burgundian techniques of viticulture are the order of day, it is after all Gippsland, vine density is high and crop load is duly limited for harvests of the most superior quality. Time spent working vintages along the Cote d'Or translates into a refined, textural cool climate Chardonnay that's mineral and crisp, due to higher acidity, tightly structured, with a well defined balance between fruit, secondary evolved characters and seamlessly integrated oak.
Available by the dozen
Case of 12
$299.00
Bellvale
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Bellvale
Established 1998, Bellvale are a family owned winery vineyard operated by principal, winemaker and viticulturalist, John Ellis

Situated along the lush Tarwin River valley of South Gippsland, the area is acknowledged as one of Australia's best Pinot-Noir producing regions. This is reflected in Bellvale's numerous international and national awards over the last decade. The name, Bellvale, is derived from the Ellis family's rich agricultural heritage, which may be traced back to a farm in Nieuw Amsterdam (the New York area), in the late 1600s. The Bellvale label features two majestic oak trees that grace the centre of its vineyard. Exposure to Australian wines sparked an interest in terroir down under. What followed was a lengthy period of research and the selection of South Gippsland's cool climate. John now produces wines that are acknowledged as some of the regions finest, in keeping with the premium producers of the Burgundy region.

Bellvale

John Ellis spent many years on Long Island, in southeast New York, before emigrating to Australia in the 1980s. His abiding passion for fine wine and viticulture stem from extensive free time spent in Europe during a 25 year career as a commercial pilot. To maintain his interest, John followed several agricultural paths during that time, including planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to supply the first vineyard in the Hamptons during the 1970s. Over time came many trips to Burgundy to hone his knowledge of traditional French winemaking methods and traditional viticulture.

Ellis chooses to adhere to the traditional methods of the premium producers in the Burgundy region, where vine density is high and crop load limited to sacrifice quantity for quality. He manages 10 hectares of Pinot Noir and 5 hectares of Chardonnay, a number of clones used for each variety, adding subtlety and complexity.

Bellvale's flavour profiles present the full expression of a vineyard tended the artisan way. Ellis ensures that the vineyard creates the wine, there are no fancy tricks in the winery. The only embellishments are maturation in a combination of new and used French oak barriques for a minimum of 12 months.

Bellvale

Not so long ago, the South Gippsland region along Australia's southeast coast represented brave new territory for Pinot Noir grape growers. It is now acknowledged as one of the country's leading Pinot Noir-producing regions, with Bellvale's own vineyard rated as one of the top two for the region. There are a combination of warm days and cool evenings because of the southwesterly flow off the Southern Ocean, which is beneficial to the ripening process. Irrigation is unnecessary and the vineyard enjoys excellent drainage, a propitious north facing hillside position, large natural terraces, basaltic red clay loam soil of ancient volcanic. These are all conditions which yield exemplary harvests for the crafting of outstanding Victorian wines.

Bellvale's Pinot Noir is elegant and well structured, featuring a powerful palate of rich, ripe black fruits, with a fine oak influence. Her cool climate Chardonnay is crisper, due to higher acidity, tightly structured, with a well defined balance between fruit, secondary characters and integrated oak. The estate's vines have extensive and very deep root systems, which allow the fruit to more effectively express the terroir. John Ellis concurs with the French masters that great wine is made in the vineyard. The knowledge and experience Ellis gained working vintages in Burgundy translate into Australian wines of amazing richness, seamless integration and the most wonderful complexity.

Bellvale