For thirty years Pepper Tree has been a beacon for quality wine in the heart of Hunter wine country. Founded in 1991 it continues to flourish as one of the stalwart wine companies of the region. Pepper Tree started with a focus on grapes from the Hunter Valley but today the roots run deep with vineyard sites in four premium wine growing regions across Australia situated in the Hunter and Orange in NSW to prized patches of soil in Coonawarra and Wrattonbully in South Australia. 

From the high altitude, cool climate vineyards in the Orange region of New South Wales, the grapes were whole bunch pressed into tank, settled and then racked to French oak puncheons for fermentation. The wine is then left for nearly a year before blending and bottling. Pale straw in colour, the nose has deep stonefruit notes, spices, hints of vanillin oak though well integrated, melons, dried apricot and a hint of honeycomb. Lovely to drink, this would sit at an even higher level if it offered a little more length, though that may come in time. The highlights at the moment are the richness and oodles of flavour. Drink over the next three to five years. Alcohol: 13.9%; Tasted: June 2023; Drink: 2023 - 2028; Price: $35.00; Rating: 92 Points; Ken Gargett