memory of my late husband Mark James Longbottom on his birth date,
February 27th.
In 1996 Mark established our vineyard at the
base of the eastern Padthaway range, recognising the site - deep sandy
soil with limestone outcrops and a north/south aspect - as an exemplary
location to grow premium Padthaway Shiraz.
Two vines were planted together, braided, and trained in opposite directions onto a single-wire trellis to provide stronger competition for the moisture and nutrients in the soil.
The vineyard is surrounded by towering red gums, which impart a subtle
yet unique flavour, and the fruit for Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz has
always been sourced from this, Mark’s most prized vineyard in Padthaway.
Although it is a single vineyard wine the fruit is harvested separately
to highlight the small nuances from the north of the vineyard to the
south. After fermenting to dryness on skins the wine is pressed and
transferred to a mixture of new and one-and two-year-old very
fine-grained French oak barrels. The wine spends two years maturing in
barrel, is bottled unfined and unfiltered, and is bottle aged for two
years before release.
--Kim Longbottom, Proprietor
Medium red-purple; a full-flavoured wine punching way
above its price weight; the supple Padthaway profile to the black
fruits is not quite sufficient to carry the oak, but that's hardly a
capital crime.
James Halliday - Published on 19 Sep 2012
Henry's Drive 2008 Reserve Shiraz - 93 Points - Cellar Selection
Big,
bold and structured, this is a dry yet mouthwatering beast of a Shiraz,
it's blackberry, mocha and black olive notes held in check by firm
tannins. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar, then drink it over the next
several years.
Dead Letter Office 2008 Shiraz - 91 Points - Editors Choice
Althought
this starts off showing loads of vanilla and bright, boysenberry-like
fruit, this is not a simple fruity concoction; there is some elegance
here, and some savory notes of coffee and roasted meat, as well. Drink
the rich, full-bodied Shiraz over the next few years.
The Scarlet Letter NV Sparkling Shiraz - 86 Points
Really
dark, vibrant purple in colour, with oak-inflected notes of cedar,
vanilla and chocolate layered over black cherries. It's on the soft,
slightly sweet side, but offers an easy-to-drink mouthful of sparkling
Shiraz.
“A fine repository for excess Chardonnay fruit, The Postmistress offers only slight yeastiness, but ample citrus fruit and a soft, elegant mousse. Gingery and toasty on the finish. Drink now.”
Joe Czerwinski
“A solid,
potent example of Shiraz, this 2008 doesn’t show any ill effects of the
vintage-time heatwave, offering fresh, clean flavors of blueberry, vanilla and
tobacco. Tannins are firm and slightly dusty in style, making this
a solid choice with steak or roasts. Drink now – 2015.”
Joe Czerwinski
1001 Wines under $20 - noted as one of the best value wines in Australia!
88 Points
The wine is named after the 19th-century mail coach service that
ran through the pastoral property in Padthaway on which the large vineyard is
situated. Other evocative brand names are Parson's Flat, The Trial of John
Montford, Dead Letter Office, Morse Code and The Postmistress. The other thing
they have in common is value for money. Light to medium purple-red, this is a
shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend with a supple display of
blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit on the light- to medium-bodied palate.
It's an attractive, drink-now pizza or pasta style.
Top of Class - Silver Medal - Henry's Drive Reserve 2008 Shiraz
Top of Class - Silver Medal - Morse Code 2010 Chardonnay
Silver Medal -Henry's Drive 2008 Shiraz
Silver Medal - Dead Letter Office 2008 Shiraz
Silver Medal - The Postmistress 2010 Blanc de Blanc
Silver Medal - The Scarlet Letter NV Sparkling Shiraz
Silver Medal - Pillar Box Reserve 2009 Shiraz
Bronze Medal - Parson's Flat 2008 Shiraz/ Cabernet
Bronze Medal - Pillar Box Reserve 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Bronze Medal - Pillar Box Red 2009
Bronze Medal - Morse Code 2009 Shiraz
2011 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
Gold Medal - Henry's Drive Reserve 2008 Shiraz
Silver Medal - Henry's Drive 2008 Shiraz
Silver Medal - The Scarlet Letter NV Sparkling Shiraz
Bronze Medal - Pillar Box Reserve 2008 Shiraz
Bronze Medal - The Postmistress 2010 Blanc de Blanc
Parson’s Flat 2008 Shiraz/Cabernet 90 points
Medium red-purple; the varieties have provided the synergy expected of the blend,
aided to a degree by oak; the bouquet and medium-bodied palate offer a smooth
blend of blackberry, blackcurrant, plum cake and a dash of chocolate, the tannins
full and soft. Drink to 2020
Dead Letter Office 2008 Shiraz 91 points
Deep, dense purple-crimson; a blend of Padthaway/McLaren Vale shiraz; the components come together well, Padthaway providing fragrance and red berry fruits, McLaren Vale black fruits and its seemingly inevitable bitter chocolate. Drink to 2018
Pillar Box Reserve 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 91 points
Healthy crimson-red; ticks all the boxes for a medium bodied cool-grown cabernet; aromatic red and blackcurrant fruit, soft tannins and well integrated oak; overall mouthfeel is very good. Padthaway/Mount Benson. Drink to 2018
Morse Code 2009 Shiraz 90 points - Top ten red wines $10 & under
Strong crimson-purple; my, my, the colour does not send the wrong signal; this has really attractive juicy red berry/cherry fruit flavours and a supple texture; tailor-made for consumption anywhere, any time over the next year. Outstanding bargain. Drink 2012