WillowBend is where it all started for us. Way back in 1990, Ken and I put our first red blend of Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet together and packaged it under what was then our WillowBend brand. In 1998 we changed the brand to "Dutschke", but WillowBend has continued on as our blended red wine. Our idea has always been to produce a consistently full and flavoursome wine by blending the varieties that perform best on our "St. Jakobi" family vineyard, the property purchased by my grandfather Oscar Semmler in the 1930s. The Shiraz (42%), Cabernet (32%) and Merlot (26%) come together to provide a round soft red berry fruit palate and fine oak and fruit tannin support that allows the wine to be enjoyed as a younger wine, but also has the structure needed for medium to long term cellaring.

After years in the bottle our older "WillowBend" blends have also shown great complex characters while still maintaining their fresh fruit flavours. WillowBend is typically a great wine to drink now, but will also benefit further by lying it down for a few years to complex.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://www.dutschkewines.com/wines/willowBend/

Éric Chevalier is a rising star in the Nantais of the Loire Valley. For ten years, he sourced fruit for a large négociant in the Touraine. In 2005, he decided to return to his hometown of Saint-Philbert de Grandlieu, just southwest of Nantes, and ended up taking over the family domaine, Domaine de l’Aujardière, the next year. His father, a talented vigneron who did not bottle much of his wines and was well-known as a high-quality source of bulk wine, had stopped working the vineyards and the vines were either going to have to be pulled up and replanted, or sold. Éric was anything but enthusiastic. Little by little his passion grew, and today he is proud to be the fourth generation to farm the domaine. He is also proud to be bottling more and more of the family’s production himself. Éric sustainably farms twenty-five hectares of vines, producing wines of great character and finesse. He found his future in his family’s past.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://kermitlynch.com/our_wines/eric-chevalier/

Hazyblur Wines is a small boutique winery established in 1998 by Ross and Robyne Timboli. They crush less than 100 tons of grapes per vintage. With each vintage Ross takes personal control of all winemaking procedures. Each individual barrel receives his attention. Toss's winemakeing background dates back to watching his father, an Italian immigrant to Australia, annually make wine using a basket press and rubber boots.

This Pinot Gris comes from a small island growing area off the southern coast of Australia. The Cassini Vineyard on the North Coast of Kangaroo Island was planted in 2001 and produces fantastic grapes for the Hazyblur Winery. The wine offers everything a good Pinot Gris should; bright citrus aromas, crisp refreshing acidity and the ability to make any patio night just a bit better.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://www.hazyblur.com/

In 1934 my Grandfather, Oscar Semmler purchased a vineyard and grazing property across the road from where he and his brothers grew up. This property is located at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley, along side of the "St. Jakobi" Lutheran church and school. It is in the St Jakobi Church where my great grandparents, grandparents, parents and now Brenda and myself have all been married.

The Shiraz grapes for our "St. Jakobi" come from the vines planted in 1975 by Oscar's son Ken Semmler (my uncle) on this family property. We've been blessed by having this vineyard in a region that consistently produces quality fruit year after year. The Shiraz from this special patch of vines typically gives us wines that are rich in spice, dark cherry and chocolate characters with great structure for longevity in the bottle.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://www.dutschkewines.com/wines/stJakobi/2006.htm

Club Lux Second Red:
Chapel Hill 'Bush Vine' McLaren Vale, Grenache, Australia - 2008

McLaren Vale is fortunate to be blessed with a cache of old bush vine Grenache. These revered low yielding vines exude the colorful history of the region and result in wines that reflect their age, resilience, dignity and environment. The predominant parcel of grapes that features in this wine is sourced from vines that were planted back in 1926. The remaining grapes are from vines that were planted in 1952 and 1967. The resultant berries from these bush vines are extremely small and develop thick skins that are crammed full of complex flavors, deep color and textured tannin.

The wine was coarsely racked and aged in 2 to 5 year old French oak hogsheads to encourage complexity, mouth feel and tannin integration whilst still preserving the varietal purity. To preserve purity and character, the wine is unfined, doesn’t have any tannin additions and is bottled unfiltered. With its earthy textures, spicy undertones and perfumed flavors, this ethereal wine perfectly captures the spirit and history of McLaren Vale’s grape growing and winemaking heritage.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://www.chapelhillwine.com.au/wines/21/mclaren-vale/2010-bush-vine-grenache/

Before the 2005 vintage the resource for the Eden Valley Viognier has been largely from the various blocks of Viognier planted on the Vaughan vineyard. In 2005 two additional good quality Viognier vineyards became available, adding yet another dimension to the final wine.

After harvest 60 per cent of the fruit was gently pressed directly to barrels, the rest to a stainless steel tank. The juice was handled with passive oxidation, allowing the wine to ferment with indigenous yeasts natural to the vineyard. The wine was left on lees that, with regular batonage over 10 months, increased the complexity and creaminess of the wine and further heightened the palate weight. At blending, the barrels of wine that did not made the Virgilius blend were also included in the assemblage.

The Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2011 is perfumed and luscious – displaying all the essence of the Viognier variety. It has pure aromas of apricot nectar, lifted honeysuckle and orange oil perfume. The palate is long, rich and luscious, with intense stone fruit – particularly apricots – and finishing with an aromatic citrus freshness. This wine will continue to grow and develop in the bottle firstly showing enhanced apricots and spice, then after a couple of years developing honey flavours and toast. A wonderful food wine - try it with Moroccan Tagine.

For more information on the winery and the wine: http://www.yalumba.com/vintage.asp?p=154&b=199&l=1161&v=6462