2014 Three Brothers Reunited Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia

Another excellent vintage for Shiraz in South Australia with poor fruit set in Spring reducing yields. The resultant wines showing an abundance of fruit, excellent colour and richness, and balanced tannins.

Fruit was predominately sourced from McLaren Vale with some additional components sourced from other regions of South Australia to add complexity.
Shiraz was one of standout varietals of the 2014 South Australian vintage delivering grapes with amazing fruit intensity.
Colour: Opaque black dark red colour showing good depth.
Nose: Shows good aromatic lift with ripe dark cherry, liquorice and dark plum scents overlaying some toasty vanillin oak and spicy pepper nuances.
Palate: Consistently delivering outstanding value for money winemaker Ben Riggs and team have produced yet another winner from the 2014 vintage. Succulent dark fruits, a supple mid palate and great depth of flavour are all hallmarks of this dynamite value red. The 2014 rendition possessing all these attributes in abundance. Now firmly entrenched as one of the country’s best value for money reds the 2014 Three Brothers Reunited Shiraz is fleshy and round in the mouth possessing loads of juicy ripe dark cherry, liquorice and dark plum flavours with a vanillin oak back palate, a spicy peppered finish and soft velvety tannins. Eminently drinkable now it will also reward 4-5 years cellaring.
Alc/Vol: 14.5%
Bottled with Stelvin Seal.
Packed in 12 x 750ml Cartons

Reviews of past vintages...
”This is just one of several extraordinary-value-for-money wines to come out of the excellent 2010 South Australian harvest. It’s hard to believe the price when you taste the depth and richness here. Fruitcake, chocolate, dark fruits and earth, with just a hint of jamminess. Some spices as well. Rich palate with good density and ripe tannins providing excellent structure. Full-bodied, with a long carry. A wholly amazing bottle of red wine, it’s made by highly experienced McLaren Vale winemaker Ben Riggs. Now to seven years. 14.5 per cent alcohol.”
Food: Most red-meat dishes, especially grilled lamb loin chops, rare rump steak and roasted fillet, right through to long, slow, braised dishes such as boeuf en daube".
92 points. - Huon Hooke - Sydney Morning Herald Good Living

2008 vintage:The Three Brothers Reunited Shiraz was originally created as an export label. When a small parcel was released for the domestic market, the demand proved overwhelming. Victorian wine writer, Paddy Kendlar comments: "...A handy McLaren Vale featuring various red and black berry fruit aromas and flavours with hints of sweet spice. The '08 may lack some of the weight and richness of the previous vintage, but it's still a well-balanced wine that will drink better with breathing. Made by the very caable and prolific Ben Riggs for Journeys End Vineyards - a good value bet."
4 Stars. Paddy Kendler's Drink - Herald Sun 25th August, 2009.

"Journeys End sources South Australian Shiraz for a generously flavoured range of wines. The Three Brothers Reunited, at the budget end, has real presence. Ripe raspberry and blackberry with sweet spice and an earthy touch give it honest appeal and the medium-to-full palate has good texture and length of flavour. (14.5 per cent alcohol; screw cap.) Ageing? Drink over 4 years.
Food ideas Barbecue meats; lamb shawarma".
4 Stars   $$$
Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age Uncorked 12th January 2010.

2012 The Bobby Dazzler Shiraz
Region: South Australia

The term Bobby Dazzler refers to something “striking or excellent” and was a phrase that was commonly used by gents to describe a ‘good sort’ that was attractive to the eye.

Vintage Conditions: Shiraz was the standout red varietal of the 2012 vintage which is generally considered to be an outstanding year in South Australia. Fruit was able to be picked at optimal levels of physiological ripeness resulting in wines with great depth of colour and amazing fruit intensity.

Opaque inky black dark red colour. Showing good intensity with aromas of ripe dark plum, liquorice and blackberries with some toasty vanillin oak and spice notes in the background. Sumptuous and juicy with a plush textural mouthfeel the palate has a flavour profile of ripe dark plum, liquorice and blackberries mingling with touches of toasty vanillin oak and spicy pepper showing excellent depth and persistence. It’s velvet smooth tannins and generous fruit profile make this wine ideal for immediate consumption but it is also capable of a further 2-3 years cellaring. A real Bobby Dazzler fruit bomb! An excellent match with roast pork.
Alc/Vol: 14.5% BOTTLED WITH STELVIN SEAL.
PACKED IN 12 X 750ML CARTONS

Reviews of past vintages...
"McLaren Vale-based winemaker Ben Riggs oversees the production of more than a few high-quality wines. For example. the Penny's Hill range and his own Mr Riggs creations are dependably delectable. But at a top-value price, his Bobby Dazzler lives up to its name. It's a multi-regional blend, an exuberant and joyous expression of shiraz, unabashed and uncomplicated, more a wine for drinkers than thinkers. Worth the search. 5 Stars".
Paddy Kendler's wine bargains under $20. Herald Sun, Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

Reviews for the 2006 release...The label breaks new ground for Australian wine – it’s a hoot, and while the wine itself is warming and generous by nature. Plenty of ripe berry fruit, a silky, supple texture and a satisfying effect. More than just a novelty, a most enjoyable and versatile dry red made by the prolific Mr Ben Riggs, as he likes to be known.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.  - Paddy Kendler – Wine writer, Herald Sun Newspaper.

...This label inspired by old comic strips is hard to ignore and the wine inside matches its exuberance. It’s a super generous mouthful of South Australian red wine at a reasonable price. Blackberry, licorice strap and spicy aromas show some alcoholic warmth. The palate is full bodied, satisfying and mellow. Ageing? Drink over four years.  Food Ideas: Burgers; Big steaks. Four stars $$$   - Ralph Kyte-Powell – The Age Epicure

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2015 Journeys End Vineyards Naturist Chardonnay
Region: Adelaide, South Australia

Background: After a hard week at the winery, Maslin Nude Beach in McLaren Vale is where flamboyant winemakers and their naturist friends ‘hang out’. Journeys End Vineyards have taken advantage of the outstanding 2015 growing season to release a full flavoured Chardonnay for those who don’t mind a bit of wood.

Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Aromas of peach, honeycomb, cashew, butterscotch and nougat make for an intriguing sniff.
Palate: Full bodied the palate has rich generous flavours which include peach, honeycomb, cashew and butterscotch. Creamy textural qualities are counter pointed by well balanced acidity finishing with a long persistent aftertaste. We think it’s best consumed unclad, as nature intended. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Ripe peach top notes fill the nostrils followed by some honeycomb, cashew, light butterscotch and nougat. Showing good weight the palate is in the richer fuller bodied style of Chardonnay and will fill out further with bottle age. Mouthfilling flavours of ripe peach, cashew and honeycomb with nuances of butterscotch also present. Creamy mouthfeel with a dry finish and good acid balance. Long honeyed peach, cashew and butterscotch aftertaste. Alc/Vol: 13.5% Bottled with a Stelvin Seal. Packed in 12 x 750ml Cartons

2009 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Return Riesling
Region: Watervale, Clare Valley, South Australia

The 2009 vintage in the Clare Valley produced wonderfully aromatic Rieslings with powerful lemon/lime flavours and perfect acidity.

TASTING NOTE: Brilliant straw colour with greenish highlights around the edges. Aromatic lime and lemon nuances are overlaid by some tertiary characters such as toast, honey, spice and a hint of kerosene. Released with 5 years bottle age intense flavours of lemon and lime are still prevalent and along with lively acidity maintain a sense of freshness over emerging tertiary characters of toast, honey and kerosene. Excellent depth with the potential for further development over the next 4-5 years. The Return Riesling continues the ongoing revival of this exceptional variety.
Alc/Vol: 12% BOTTLED WITH STELVIN SEAL.
PACKED IN 6 X 750ML CARTONS

Reviews for the 2005 release: "The journey in question was John Macarthur’s odyssey in 1815-16, which took him on a tour of Europe in search of wine lore, knowledge and vine cuttings. On his return he was instrumental in getting Australia going as a wine producer. We should all toast his pioneering work. From a fantastic vintage for Clare-Watervale Riesling, this pale young wine has a minerally, slightly Germanic thread on the nose. The fruit character is reminiscent of lime and spiced apple. The palate has the richly flavoured, smoothly textured qualities of the ’05 Clare vintage, finishing long, dry and meaningful. Serve it with stir-fried prawns and Chinese mustard greens."
Quality: 4.5 glasses     Value: 4 stars    Rating: 92    Cellar: 6+ years
-The 2007 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide’ by wine writers Ralph Kyte-Powell and Huon Hooke

2012 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS Coonawarra Station Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
The expansive Coonawarra vineyards are dotted with relics left by many of Australia’s most famous winemaking names, as well as minor buildings which would be ignored in more picturesque surrounds. Amongst these is the old railway station that stands as a symbol of a journey as well as one of the district’s major historical landmarks. However, the monotony of Coonawarra’s landscape belies an inner beauty. Underneath this vast flat is a narrow strip of “Terra Rossa” soil over limestone, ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon vines. More notable is the flavour of classic Coonawarra Cabernet. Journeys End, Coonawarra Station Cabernet Sauvignon continues the revival of this great Australian red. After the disastrous 2011 vintage where no Coonawarra Station was produced due poor fruit quality came the superb 2012 vintage will go down as one of Coonawarra’s top years over the last few decades. Cabernet was a standout, resulting in concentrated wines with good natural acidity and supple tannins.

TASTING NOTE: Opaque black dark red colour.Intense aromas of ripe blackcurrant, dark mulberry blossom from the glass with additional notes of bay leaf, tobacco and spicy cedar also evident.Combining classic Coonawarra elegance with the fullness and richness of a top vintage the palate features flavours of ripe blackcurrants, dark mulberry, cedary tobacco characters, subtle spearmint and spice. Beautifully balanced with a velvet smooth seamlessly integrated tannin structure. Excellent depth of flavour with a long blackcurrant, mulberry, tobacco and spicy cedar aftertaste. Showing excellent varietal character, this a text book example of Coonawarra Cabernet that can be enjoyed now or cellared 5-6 years for further flavour development. A superb match with a traditional roast lamb.
Alc/Vol: 14.5% BOTTLED WITH STELVIN SEAL.
PACKED IN 12 X 750ML CARTONS

Review of the 2008 release... Excellent crimson colour; flooded with black and redcurrant fruit on the bouquet and medium- to full-bodied palate; persistent tannins run through the back-palate and finish providing a platform for cellaring. Attractive label design reminiscent of the famous Woodley Treasure Chest series. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 93 points - James Halliday Drink 2018

2009 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Embarkment Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

The ninth release of this highly regarded Shiraz. The labyrinth on the front label symbolises a seemingly endless road that reflects life’s unforeseeable twists and turns. Is it a journey upwards toward heaven or down into the earth?
Whichever way you experience it, the bottom of the bottle marks the embarkment of a great Shiraz journey.

While aggressive heat early in the growing season curtailed the final yields, cooler conditions prevailed during ripening. The resulting Shiraz wines from the 2009 vintage resulted in medium to full bodied reds of both power and elegance, with McLaren Vale’s trademark rich fruit characters retained.
Colour: Opaque black dark red colour.
Nose: Aromas of liquorice and blackberries are intertwined with leather, earth and vanillin cedar and spice nuances.
Palate: In order to maximise flavour and complexity, winemaker Ben Riggs has used five different clones of Shiraz to produce this wine. The wine was matured in a combination of seasoned French and American oak casks for approximately 12 months. Plush, velvety and rich the palate boasts mouthfilling flavours of liquorice, blackberries and plums which are underpinned by spicy vanillin cedar, subtle earthy leather characters and pepper. Smooth tannin structure with a long savoury aftertaste that keeps you coming back for more. Drink now and over the next 2-3 years. A good match with most heavier meat dishes. Alc/Vol: 14.5%
Bottled with Stelvin Seal.
Packed in 12 x 750ml Cartons

Reviews from previous vintages... Ripest fruit flavours, bordering overripe, though not reflected in the alcohol; solid black fruits, dark chocolate and ripe tannins. Cork. 14.5% alc. To 2020.
Rating 92 points - James Halliday’s 2009 Australian Wine Companion

Reviews for the 2004 release: "Powerful but not heavy or extractive; blackberry, bitter chocolate and oak seamlessly welded together, the alcohol relatively restrained. Exceeds expectations and its station in life". Cork. 14.5% alc. To 2018 Rating: 93
- James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition

2009 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Ascent Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

This is second tier of Shiraz produced by Journeys End Vineyards. Eccentric bushman and a pioneer of the Australian Wine Industry Gregory Blaxland is featured on the front label. Wine seemed a novel challenge for the adventurer, who together with Wentworth & Lawson pioneered the fi rst track across Australia’s “impenetrable” Blue Mountains. In March 1822 Blaxland exported Australia’s first wine where his red wine was awarded numerous commendations. Blaxland had demonstrated that with time and care, local wine could become a valuable article. Australia’s gradual ascent towards the heights of the winemaking world had begun.

Colour: Opaque black dark red colour.
Nose: Showing good intensity with aromas of dark plum, blackberry and dark chocolate followed by some mocha like notes.
Palate: Full bodied and rich with concentrated dark fruit flavours of dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate with some vanillin oak nuances and a spicy back palate. Good structure with fine grained yet solidly built tannins finishing with a long aftertaste. A wine with excellent structure and balance that will benefit with 4-6 years cellaring. Alc/Vol: 14.5% BOTTLED WITH Stelvin SEAL.

Reviews of past vintages...

2005 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Ascent Shiraz
"In similar style to Arrival, but slightly less powerful; no bad thing perhaps; the components are still in balance". Cork. 14.5% alc. To 2020
Rating 94 points - James Halliday’s 2009 Australian Wine Companion

2004 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Ascent Shiraz
"The 2004 Shiraz “Ascent” was aged for 16 months in French and American oak. It exhibits a more brooding nose of smoke, cedar, tar, blueberry, and blackberry. It is bigger, richer, and better balanced. The flavors are mouth-coating and the finish is long and pure. Although it has enough structure to evolve for 2-4 years, it can be enjoyed now". 91 Points - Jay Miller - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

"The name of this wine refers to Australia’s gradual ascent to winemaking heights, which began with Gregory Blaxland’s first export of Australian wine in 1822. Journeys End winemaker Ben Riggs has a good sense of history, which is a great thing. Deep and dense in appearance, this young shiraz is packed with ripe black-plum fruit, dressed in chocolately notes. Very typically McLaren Vale but without the strong earthiness that marks some of the region’s reds. It’s pure and concentrated with lush texture and long spicy flavours, finishing dry and savoury with very dry, fine-grained tannins. Try it with a navarin of lamb."
Quality: 5 glasses     Value: 4 stars    Rating: 96    Cellar: 1-10 years
-The 2007 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide’ by Ralph Kyte-Powell and Huon Hooke

2002 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Ascent Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

~ SOLD OUT ~

"At $25 to $30 is the 2002 Ascent Shiraz, a lusciously fruited, great-value wine: soft, mellow chocolate, spices and licorice."
-Huon Hooke, from "The Age" newspaper, October 2 2004

Further reviews: "An outstanding Shiraz which is filled with an abundance of ‘joosy’ McLaren Vale flavours. Opaque black crimson colour with deep crimson hue. The nose displays a wonderful sniffing experience with a violet top note followed by spice, confectionary, ripe plum and liquorice all-sorts - the sort of wine that one could spend a significant time just nosing. The palate is filled with an abundance of ripe Shiraz flavours. Mouthfilling spice, blackpepper, ripe plum, vanilla and liquorice fill the mouth and are enhanced by velvet smooth tannins. Perfect balance, followed by a very long aftertaste of spice, liquorice, plum and black & white pepper. Cellar 4-5 years (2008-2009) Alc/Vol: 15% RATING: 95/100" -Vintage Direct, Offer #72 October 2004
Tasting Notes on the 2001 Ascent Shiraz..."A complex medium to full bodied array of red and black fruits; excellent use of French oak; overall supple mouthfeel. RATING 93 DRINK 2016" - James Halliday's 2005 Wine Companion.

2009 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Arrival Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

Total Production: Approx 450 dozen. This is the ‘piece de resistance’ of the Journeys End collection - a high point of viticulture and winemaking with only the finest barrels selected for final bottling under the Arrival label. The 2004 vintage in McLaren Vale was considered to be outstanding and lasted longer than usual due to the cool ripening conditions. Good rainfall in winter and spring ensured healthy canopies and concentrated berries resulting in wines of exceptional flavour.

TASTING NOTE: "A deep purple black opaque colour - glass staining. Very aromatic with notes of liquorice, aniseed, cedar, blackberry and vanilla. The palate is beautifully balanced displaying abundant rich ripe voluptuous fruit without being too heavy or over the top. Concentrated and powerful fl avours of blackberry, plum, liquorice, pepper,
cedar and vanilla fi ll the mouth with a very long blackberry liquorice and pepper aftertaste. The wines silky smooth texture makes this wine very drinkable now, but will improve with another 5-6 years cellaring." Alc/Vol: 14.5%
BOTTLED WITH CORK SEAL. PACKED IN 6 X 750ML CARTONS.

Further reviews of previous vintages:
"The best of the trio is the 2004 Shiraz “Arrival”. Opaque purple-colored, it emits a perfume of wood smoke, toast, tar, licorice, blueberry muffin, and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied, it has layers of spicy black fruit flavors, a soft blanket of ripe tannin, and excellent length. Allow 4-6 years of bottle aging and drink it through 2020".
93 Points - Jay Miller - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

"Journeys End has a very large range of wines, with nearly all of them based on various permutations of McLaren Vale shiraz. Their avowed aim of over-delivering in terms of value for money is no idle claim; most of the wines are excellent buys. A deliciously concentrated shiraz with aromas of crushed blackberries, dark chocolate and bakery spice. It tastes concentrated and full, but it isn’t so big and powerful that it’s difficult to drink. On the contrary, it gets better with each glass, and its velvety texture dovetails with ripe dry tannins in excellent balance. A long-liver, but you could serve it now with roast beef."
Quality: 5 glasses     Value: 3.5 stars    Rating: 96    Cellar: 2-10+years
-The 2007 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide’ by wine writers Ralph Kyte-Powell and Huon Hooke

"...Bright red-purple; a medium-bodied but complex mix of chocolate, mocha, blackberry and raspberry; ripe tannins and good length; 5 clones of shiraz incorporated". Cork. 14.5% alc To 2016   Rating: 94
- James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition

2002 JOURNEYS END VINEYARDS The Arrival Shiraz
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

~ SOLD OUT ~

When James Halliday released his top 100 wines of the year for 2004, he selected the 2002 Journeys End Vineyards Arrival Shiraz. Here's what he had to say:- "Replete with a label looking very much like the famed Woodley Treasure Chest series of the 1940s and '50s, this is the top end (after the Ascent) of another new virtual winery. It has an extra dimension of power, flooded with superb regional fruit and dark chocolate, with lingering but fine tannins. 96 Points. Best Drinking: 2007-17" 
- James Halliday's Top 100, The Australian Newspaper.

Further reviews: "...at $40 to $50 is the flagship Arrival Shiraz: a blockbuster of concentrated plum, blackberry, chocolate and vanilla depths, with higher levels of tannin and oak. [The Journeys End Shiraz wines are] 15 per cent alcohol, but in contrast to several other wines of that strength doing the rounds, they taste balanced. Riggs seems better able than most to achieve balance with high alcohol, and avoid porty and "dead-fruit" flavours."
-Huon Hooke, from "The Age" newspaper, October 2 2004

"This is Ben Riggs at his winemaking best. Totally opaque black, crimson colour with black crimson hue. Superb nose with magnificent lifted notes of violets, confectionary, cedar and spice followed by a liquorice end note. The palate is very classy - it has that rare quality of weight combined with great elegance and refinement. Beautifully layered flavours of black pepper, plum, confectionary, cedar and spice are followed by a liquorice allsorts back palate. Outstanding length and depth. The tannin structure is a touch more assertive than that of the ‘Ascent’, yet remains very fine and in perfect balance. Very long aftertaste of black pepper, liquorice allsorts and spice. Cellar 5-8 years (2009-2012) Alc/Vol: 15% RATING: 97/100"
-Vintage Direct, Offer #72 October 2004