Thomas Wines DJV Shiraz
Despite being weaned on the full-throttle shiraz of McLaren Vale where he grew up, Andrew (Thommo) Thomas developed a deep passion for the more reserved wines of the Hunter Valley during his formative winemaking years. Having lived in the Hunter now for over twenty five years, with over ten of those spent as a winemaker at Tyrrell’s, Andrew has gained a great respect for and understanding of the two great wine styles that the Hunter produces – semillon and shiraz. In 1997, Andrew started Thomas Wines with a view to making single vineyard semillon and shiraz that would rival the Hunter greats. Sourced from low-cropping old and mature vineyards in the areas traditionally suited to each variety the wines are lavished with attention in the winery using a modern spin on the techniques learnt from the Hunter’s old timers. Thomas Wines are leading a growing band of next-generation Hunter Valley producers who are determined to see the region regain its former reputation albeit in a contemporary expression.
The chosen one: Thomas DJV shiraz 2013
My impression:
Quite dry featuring cherries, pepperberries and woody notes.
In the press:
Designed and made in a traditional ‘Hunter River Burgundy’ style, the bouquet offers an alluring array of red fruits, Asian spices, ironstone and floral highlights; the palate is medium-bodied and softly textured with fine-grained tannins playing foil to the tightly wound fruit and lively acidity; accessible as a young wine, with the concentration to age with grace. 95 Points James Halliday.
Bright red colour in glass. Muted aromas. Palate is svelte, elegant and satiny – flavours are restrained but you get some herbal stuff and pepper, then the cavalcade of gently sweet red fruit. It’s a wine of class and seamlessness – wonderful drinking now. There’s quality in restraint here. 94 Points Mike Bennie, www.winefront.com.au
A little about the craftsman Andrew Thomas:
1. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while working in the wine industry?
You can’t make a silk purse from a sows ear.
2. Who has been your biggest inspiration during your wine career?
Murray Tyrrell from Tyrell’s wines.
3. What’s your desert island wine?
1978 DRC La Tache
4. What’s the meaning behind the naming of your shiraz “DJV”?
DJV is my (intentionally) lighted bodied, traditional ‘Hunter River Burgundy’ style of shiraz. It is an abbreviation of Déjà vu, which can explain that sense of having seen the wine before. It’s made using some quite traditional techniques such as co-fermenting the shiraz with a splash of semillon verjuice and maturation exclusively in older barrels. It’s a very fruit driven food friendly style.
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