"A great example of how to provide intensity without huge concentration. All the character comes from the vineyard, and then gently taken through the winery, to give a transparent, classy wine still full of flavour." Decanter Magazine
Peter Cummings of Water Wheel Vineyards has overcome all that nature can throw at them over the last decade or so. Floods, frosts, drought have all had their turn at this highly rated winery at Bridgewater-on-Loddon, just outside Bendigo in central Victoria.
Recently the gods have thrown all sorts of shipping issues at us: our latest shipment left Australia on 26th February for what should have been a 7 week journey. Throw in the blockage of the Suez Canal, an 11 day stopover at Malaga for ship repairs and lost documentation and we’ve only just got our hands on it!
But boy has it been worth waiting for! Water Wheel continue to produce consistently full-flavoured, well priced Shiraz that are amongst the best value reds we import.
We have been shipping Water Wheel Bendigo Shiraz for around 30 years. Year in, year out, it is consistently one of my favourite Shiraz, with dark fruit flavours, lingering tannins and great balance. It’s fabulous value at this price.
Water Wheel Vineyards was established in 1972 at Bridgewater-on-Loddon. in the Bendigo wine region, 150km north west of Melbourne. It is one of Australia’s stalwart family-owned wineries. The Cummings family has farmed the area for over 50 years – they originally farmed cherry tomatoes and were a major supplier to the supermarkets and a leading restaurant chain with golden arches. But some years back they decided that there was no longer any money in it and stopped growing tomatoes and put their money into expanding their wine business.
They had planted their first vineyard in 1970, and then in 1989 the family invested in the winery and 20-acres of surrounding vines. Another three vineyards have since been established bringing the grand total to 300-acres of vineyards in the region.
A few years ago, they established a vineyard 40km south of the winery near Maldon, still beside the Loddon River. The soils here are rich in red clay and the climate a little cooler. Early results have produced a wine, Baringhup Shiraz, that is a little more elegant with more berry than plum fruit.
Winemaker, Peter Cummings, has now been joined by daughter Amy, back from her winemaking travels and determined to carry on the family business for another generation. Which is very good news for the legions of Water Wheel’s followers.
These two great Shiraz should be in your wine rack!
2018 Water Wheel Bendigo Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £99.00
“Very deep, youthful purple/red colour with a violet, anise-scented bouquet, the wine is elegantly structured and refined, smooth and supple, with richness as well as spicy cooler-grown influences. Very smart drinkability. Great value.” Huon Hooke (The Wine Review)
The 2018 vintage is a lively ruby red in appearance, showing spice, and dark fruit aromas. The palate shows ripe berry flavours complemented with vanillin oak. It's full-bodied with a rich mid-palate and subtle lingering tannins on the finish. It can be enjoyed now and will reward medium term cellaring.
2018 Water Wheel Baringhup Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £99.00
“The end product is delicious. Opaque, but lighter on its feet than the Bendigo colour infers. Saturated, mouthfilling dark fruit persuasions; the tannins taut, coffee-grind and juicy, juggling the hedonic explosion of excess. With aplomb. American oak working well here.” James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A little more elegant than the Bendigo shiraz. A single vineyard wine based 40km south of the main vineyards. The soils here are rich in red clay and the climate a little cooler than at Bridgewater. The soils here are rich in red clay and the climate a little cooler than at Bridgewater. A wine with more berry than plum fruit and a long, rich finish. It will cellar well for a decade..
Fill up your wine rack today with these great value Shiraz, go to Water Wheel wines Now!
Best Wishes
Craig