A glowing review from Nick Ryan, Senior Wine Writer for The Weekend Australian Magazine
In case you missed it, we recently received a glowing review from Nick Ryan in The Weekend Australian Magazine. Don't worry if you did, we've included the reviews below.
Nick Ryan’s recent column in The Weekend Australian Magazine delves into the winemaking legacy of Andrew Thomas - founder of Thomas Wines and third‑time Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year - highlighting his passionate blend of tradition and innovation in Shiraz production.
The article not only tells an abridged version of the Andrew Thomas story, it also takes the time to review a few of our latest releases including 2024 Shiraz Pinot, 2023 Elenay Shiraz and finishes with our notable newcomer, 2023 Nova Shiraz Touriga.
“Andrew Thomas is a natural-born winemaker.”
We couldn’t agree more! Andrew Thomas’s tasting pedigree began at Tyrrell’s, where he spent 13 formative years mastering Hunter Valley’s signature varieties, Semillon and Shiraz. Later, Thommo launched Thomas Wines in the late 1990s, dedicating himself to these two varietals alone and crafting wines that consistently set benchmarks in the region.
His dedication culminated in being named Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year three times (2008, 2014, 2023), most recently celebrated in June 2023. In celebrating Thommo’s latest creations, Ryan signals a broader shift in Australian wine culture, upholding tradition while embracing innovation, vintage after vintage.
Nick Ryan's Wine Reviews
2024 DJV Shiraz Pinot, 94 POINTS
"The old ways through new eyes. Gorgeously bright and supple, with abundant red fruits, soft plums and dried raspberry. A notable sour cherry vibe. Warm baking spices waft, a gentle gamines lurks. Soft whispering tannins."
"Dark red fruits, ripe plums, dark cherries, some blueberry lift too. Soft licorice, some woody spices; crumbly, friable earthiness underneath. Sculpted muscle and sinew. Medium-bodied - not in the way that some claim is an excuse for lack of presence, but in an athletic, energetic, impeccably balanced way. Fine, softly sandy tannins."
2023 Nova Shiraz Touriga, 95 POINTS
"Dried red fruits, cranberry, cherry, boysenberry and even blood orange. Juicy, fragrant and humming with lively acidity. And then, among that fragrant red stuff, lurks the grasping fingers of something dark and broody: 4% touriga. Star anise and cordite, coriander seed and the burnt bits of Chinese roast port. The ever-so-slight, yet unmistakable, grip of gritty Iberian tannin."
These 2023 Shiraz wines are all available online and in our cellar door so come see for yourself what all the fuss is about.