About The Pack
Winemaker Michael Downer has been on a serious hot-streak of late, taking home the Young Gun of Wine award as well as the Gourmet Traveller Wine Young Winemaker of the Year in 2017.
The guy keeps releasing hit after hit. Here is a great value mix of some of his highest rated wines currently available.
This is the best way to get to know this rising star of SA wine.
2017 Murdoch Hill Chardonnay
This is a Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 101.
Murdoch Hill is a producer that should be on your radar, with young winemaker Michael Downer one of the real up-and-coming talents in the country. This Chardonnay might not have the pizzaz and funk of his 'Artisan' releases, but boy oh boy is it a good drink.
It comes from two different vineyards in the Adelaide Hills sub-regions of Lobethal and Piccadilly Valley, providing complexity, balance and depth to the final product. Light and fresh on the one hand, creamy and mouth filling on the other. It's not super complex or thought-provoking but it's a mighty fine drink and nifty value.
Read more about 2017 Murdoch Hill Chardonnay2017 Murdoch Hill Pinot Noir
The fruit from their home estate in Oakbank makes up a portion of the Murdoch Hill Pinot Noir, with the balance coming from premium local vineyards. Michael treats it gently. It's an easy wine to like. Slender in frame, ample "pinotsity" to keep the Pinot fanatics in their seats and outstanding value.
It's a wine that feels like it went to bottle effortlessly. If you are on the hunt for quality Pinot Noir under the $30 threshold, Michael's will unquestionably deliver the goods.
Read more about 2017 Murdoch Hill Pinot Noir2015 Murdoch Hill Syrah
Michael Downer has been carefully honing his craft with cool climate Syrah over the last few years, each new release gets a little more impressive. Pound for pound, this may be his best value Syrah to date.
This comes from the Cronberry vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. It's a wine that shows off all the hallmarks of both the vineyard and the skillful hands of its creator. It's about style and elegance, not brute force. 2015 was a fantastic grow season in the Hills, marked by little sunlight for the vineyard.
It's made with 25% whole bunches and a judicious combination of maturation in new and old oak for 10 months. If you're on the lookout for top value, spicy, modern Syrah, this is one of the best from this region under $30.
95 points - James Halliday
Read more about 2015 Murdoch Hill Syrah2017 Murdoch Hill Artisan Series Tilbury Chardonnay
Murdoch Hill's 'Artisan' series is where winemaker Michael Downer has spread his wings in the family range.
This 'Tilbury' Chardonnay is never around for long, particularly this year with his taking home the 2017 Young Gun of Wine award. Coming from a single vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley sub-region of the Adelaide Hills, it's whole bunch and whole berry fermented, with older French oak, only partial MLF and loads of 'solids work' giving the wine weight and complexity without ever feeling 'over-worked'.
It received 94 points from Mike Bennie who called it, "Delicious too. Superb stuff."
If you love your premium Hills Chardonnay then this needs to be on your dining table. It's terrific.
Read more about 2017 Murdoch Hill Artisan Series Tilbury Chardonnay2017 Murdoch Hill Artisan Ridley Pinot X Three
Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, these three varieties get along so well.
This is a fresh, fruit-driven wine that is geared towards fun in the sun drinking. It combines the vibrant red berry flavours of these three varieties with a touch of stalk influence to beautiful effect.
Think of the ideal red wine style to drink in the Aussie summer and your on the right track. Pop it in the fridge if you like, it won't hurt it a bit. Slim to none oak influence just pure, lively fruit full of character and personality.
Read more about 2017 Murdoch Hill Artisan Ridley Pinot X Three2016 Murdoch Hill Artisan Series Landau Syrah
This Syrah from their home-owned Oakbank vineyard is one of the wines to get him the gong. It's a wine of detail, it is expressive and evocative. It's classy cool-climate Syrah, the way it's meant to be.
It was awarded 96 points from James Halliday and Mike Bennie awarded it 93 points, calling it a "Distinctive, elegant red of high charisma."
This wine combines a great site with thoughtful winemaking; a winning combination and a tantalising example of things to come from this exciting Adelaide Hills operation.