WINES AVAILABLE IN UK STOCK:

• Sauvignon Blanc, Stoney Vineyards
• Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Stoney Vineyards
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Stoney Vineyards
• Pinot Noir, Stoney Vineyards
• Fume Blanc ' Lady A' Domaine A
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Domaine A
• Pinot Noir, Domaine A

www.domaine-a.com.au

One might be excused for wondering about the commercial viability of producing Cabernet Sauvignon in Tasmania, however many sceptics have visited Domaine A… and left as converts! Peter and Ruth Althaus' 20ha property in the Coal River Valley in Southern Tasmania is truly remarkable in that the Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc that it produces is not just high quality but is truly of world class.

Peter Althaus was formerly a business man with IBM, working in Geneva. Having developed a palate for fine European wine and a curiosity for how he could set about making it, the Althaus' set about finding a vineyard site with potential to make outstanding wines. Virtually all of the European sites had already been identified so the search was extended to the Southern hemisphere. Peter long favoured the Central Otago region of New Zealand but eventually settled on the tiny 1 hectare property that today forms Domaine A.

Since 1989, when they took over the Domaine, planting has increased to 20 hectares and includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. Vines are densely planted and the sloping North/North East aspect coupled with a temperate maritime climate ensures that the grapes have a long, cool growing season - allowing for maximum fruit development and complexity of flavours.

Attention to detail is the byword for Domaine A with huge attention being paid to clonal selection, hand pruning, leaf plucking and picking. All aspects of the production are controlled at the property with bottling also taking place to ensure the highest production standards.

In the very best years, wines are bottled under the Domaine A label with more approachable styles of wine being bottled under the Stoney Vineyard label. Having said that, even Stoney Vineyard wines are very serious bottles.

Recent accolades for these wines have come from Matthew Jukes ; "the most gob smacking range of wines he has tasted" and from Halliday who rated the Lady A Fume Blanc as the finest wooded Sauvignon in the world.

Sceptics beware, Tasmania can ripen Cabernet fully and in quite spectacular fashion - but only in the hands of Peter Althaus!

Click on the wine labels for larger versions:

		Sauvignon Blanc, Stoney Vineyards by Domaine A Produced from a tiny vineyard in the far south of Tasmania, Peter Althaus' unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is a revelation. Exhibiting a pure, crisp palate of grassy, herbaceous fruit with hints of pear, peach and apricot. Very finely balanced with a long, mineral led finish.
		Cabernet Sauvignon, Stoney Vineyards by Domaine A Although this wine is said to be the second label of Domaine A, Stoney Vineyard is no second fiddle to the harmonious Domaine A! This wine is all about finely balanced, leafy, cassis laden fruit with hints of mocha, spice, cedar and bramble. Mid weight and posessing supple, velvety tannins, this is a classic example of Bordeaux-like, cool climate new world Cabernet.
		Pinot Noir, Stoney Vineyards, by Domaine A Domaine A has, bizarrely, made its name for the extraordinary quality of its Cabernet but it's the Pinots that often grab the attention of the media. Stoney Vineyard Pinot is an earlier drinking, more approachable style than the Domaine wine and displays beautifully perfumed, violet and cherry fruit in its youth coupled with a lovely silky smooth texture.
		Lady A, Fumè Blanc, Domaine A Proclaimed by James Halliday as without exception, the finest wooded Sauvignon Blanc in the world, Lady A is allocated in the most minute quantities to enhance its cult status. Barrel fermented and lees stirred to produce immense richness and complexity, this wine is quite mind blowing. A huge, hedonistic melange of ripe apricots, crisp grapefruit, honey, toast and acacia with a linear, focussed finish. Outstanding.
		Cabernet Sauvignon, Domaine A Whilst many believe that Tasmania's finest reds come from Pinot Noir, the enlightened few now realise that Tasmania's finest red comes from Cabernet Sauvignon. Peter Althaus' Coal River vineyard provides a stunning microclimate in which to ripen low yielding, closely planted vines. The result is spectacular though don't expect some bristling Barossa bulk here - this is an elegant style- all finesse and complexity rather than the brawn of over the Tasman sea. The palate yield up a beautifully complex array of cassis, leaf tobacco, coffee, chocolate and more. The structure is smooth, rounded and complete - nothing out of place. A true work of art from a dedicated winemaker and sure to become one of the greats.
		Pinot Noir, Domaine A A muscular style of Pinot with immensely complex fruit character and superbly integrated oak influence. The bouquet is haunting - a huge swirl of spicy, violet and strawberry fruit with complexity coming from quality French oak and low yielding Pinot clones. Hugely long and supple on the finish with the potential to go on and on.

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