Clare Valley

Grosset’s Polish Hill from Australia’s Clare Valley is one of New World’s greatest Rieslings.  I’m not always a fan of dryer Rieslings, but this has a delightful richness on the mid-palate which makes it a delightfully complete wine.

Jeffrey Grosset, an oenology graduate, gained vast experience with large Australian wine companies, such as Lindemans, before starting his own winery in 1981in the historic township of Auburn, in the Clare Valley. 

The winery is based in a picturesque old butter and ice factor. These vineyards have the most advanced vine canopy management system in the region and the virtual absence of chemicals in pest and disease control is unique. Grosset  has built up a reputation as one of Australia’s best producers, particularly famous for his Riesling.  "One of Australia's best small wineries, producing delicious Riesling" (Hugh Johnson). 

Jeffrey Grosset has been held in such high esteem amongst his peers for his work with the Riesling grape that back in 1998 he won the accolade of 'Riesling Winemaker of the Year' in Hamburg, Germany.

A testament to his winemaking efforts, is his Polish hill Riesling being rated in the Langton’s classification as exceptional (only 17 wines in total and only 3 of these being white wine make this grade) alongside other iconic wines such as Penfolds Grange and Clarendon hills Astralis.

Langton's Classification of Australian Wine is a grouping of high-end Australian wines compiled by the Melbourne and Sydney based auction house Langton's, first released in 1991. The Classification is a ranking of the best performing wines based on market demand and vintages made. The Langton's Classification is split into four categories; Exceptional, Outstanding, Excellent and Distinguished.
Chris Pollington, Fine Wine

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 The Armagh Shiraz flaunts a gorgeous aromatic red and black fruit core intermingled with clove, chocolate box, and eucalyptus aromas that are still very primary. Bottled under screw cap, it has a really fine palate that is very elegant yet powerful. With vibrant acid, firm and very fine tannins, the flavors are rich and layered with spices coming through on the long finish. Drink it from 2015 to 2030+. 
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate - eRobertParker.com - Nov 2015

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Shiraz The Armagh offers a gorgeous perfume of baking spices, violets, Sichuan pepper and fragrant earth. More earthy and savory in the mouth than on the nose, the palate is superbly structured and taut—built for the long-haul—with a long, complex finish. Still very youthfully, forget this wine for 3-5 more years and consider drinking it over the next 20+.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com, Aug 2016

The eight hectare Polish Hill vineyard is at 460 metres altitude and is just five kilometres from Springvale. Its infertile, shaley soil is slightly acidic and its topsoil has a clay and shale crust. As the vines have to work harder than those at Springvale, it produces smaller, distinctly flavoured and concentrated berries.

It’s the explosive flavours of the Grosset Polish Hill 2016 that distinguish this vintage with power and tremendous intensity of flavour. The bouquet has lavender, a touch of lime and some minerally notes while the palate has surprising generosity, lime juice characters and some characteristic chalkiness. It is tight, uber-fine with steely structure, before a dry finish featuring pure natural acidity and hints of schisty mineralogy.

While there’s no doubting its longevity, there will be many who will love this Polish Hill in its youth. Ageing Potential: 6-15 years, up to 20 years

A personal favourite of mine and the Riesling that opened my eyes to this wonderful grape, it would be easy to get misty eyed and assume this is great. Thankfully, the 2017 lives up to its billing and might be one of the best wines Jeff Grosset has ever made. Taut with vibrant citrus, especially the lime lead character that Clare is famous for, this is ultra-steely and mineral, seeming to go on forever. Sensational stuff. This will benefit from 5 or 6 years in the cellar to open up. Sign me up for at least a case! Drink 2022 to 2030+.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager