Terra Felix
Awards/Press
Our 2016 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir was awarded 96 points and the 2012 Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon earned 95 points. There is a little of the Cabernet Sauvignon left but sadly the Pinot Noir is gone. In 2018 we produced Pinot Noir from both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. The latter was made from grapes from our Red Hill vineyard.
Also, from the Mornington Peninsula is a new wine for us. The 2018 Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay. From a warm and dry vintage came fruit with powerful flavours. The resultant wine is complex and rich while still retaining grapefruit and nectarine freshness.
Focusing on Shiraz in the last two years we released three Premium Shiraz wines from Beechworth, Heathcote and the Barossa Valley. All three are available in limited quantities.
More recently we have just released our 2016 Heathcote Shiraz. It has achieved some outstanding results winning gold in both Australia and the “America Awards”. It was also given 95 points by Wine Showcase Magazine. The wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so for another 8 to 10 years.
2020 was the first time we entered the “America Awards”. We submitted 5 wines for assessment. Four won Gold and the fifth won silver.
Of course 2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult time for the whole world. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on Terra Felix. Domestic sales have fallen by 70% and export sales are down by half. I was in China in the first 2 weeks of January. We were involved in some very successful promotions and we were gearing up for a big year. By the time I left focus was already on the “new virus” and wine buying was a distant thought.
In these strange times we appreciate the support we receive from everyone buying our wine. Even a case or two make a difference. It gives us hope, confidence and determination to get through this challenge.
As a small wine maker, I appreciate the support we receive from every buyer.
ACCOLADES
| WINE SHOW | AWARDED |
| WINE SHOW 2020 AWARDED. | GOLD AMERICA AWARDS 2016 HEATHCOTE REGIONAL SHIRAZ GOLD AMERICA AWARDS 2017 PREMIUM YARRA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON GOLD AMERICA AWARDS 2018 REGIONAL MORNINGTON PENINSULA CHARDONNAY GOLD AMERICA AWARDS 2018 REGIONAL BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ. JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION MORNINGTON PENINSULA CHARDONNAY – 92 POINTS. |
| JAMES HALLIDAY REVIEWS 2019 | HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ 2016 – 90 POINTS YARRA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 – 95 POINTS YARRA VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2016 – 96 POINTS |
| JAMES HALLIDAY REVIEWS | LANGHORNE CREEK SHIRAZ 2015 – 94 POINTS + SPECIAL VALUE WINE HARCOURT VALLEY PINOT GRIS 2016 – 90 POINTS YARRA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2012 & 2013 – 94 POINTS HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ 2014 – 92 POINTS + SPECIAL VALUE WINE ALPINE VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2014 – 90 POINTS + SPECIAL VALUE WINE MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZ 2015 – 90 POINTS |
| SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW | PROSECCO NV – GOLD MEDAL |
| ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND | HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ 2016 – TROPHY & GOLD MEDAL BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2012 – TROPHY & GOLD MEDAL LANGHORNE CREEK SHIRAZ 2015 – SILVER MEDAL HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ VIOGNIER 2014 – SILVER MEDAL |
| RIVERINA WINE SHOW | HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ VIOGNIER 2014 – GOLD MEDAL |
| WINESTATE MAGAZINE | YARRA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015 – 4 STARS YARRA VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2014 – 4 STARS YARRA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2015 – 4.5 STARS |
Reviews
- 1. 2018 – Regional Selection Barossa Valley Shiraz
A vibrant, youthful purple colour with bright crimson edges. Ripe plums and dark chocolate lead the bouquet, oak-char and aniseed add savoury weight. Ripe, fresh red berries and raspberry liqueur. Acidity is high-toned and red cherry spectrum. It’s fresh and modern. Nick Butler. The Real Review. 2020.
- 2. 2017 – Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Splendidly composed and styled, the wine shows gorgeous aromas of cassis, dark cherry, dried herb and cedar with nuances of dark cocoa and floral. It is wonderfully weighted and beautifully flowing on the palate with excellent fruit intensity backed by chalky tannins, finishing persistent and sturdy. At its best: now to 2027. 94 points. Sam Kim August 2019
- 3. 2017 – Terra Felix Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
It is attractively fruited and beautifully lifted on the nose showing blackcurrant, thyme, mixed spice and toasted nut characters, leading to an elegantly weighted palate that is bright and juicy, well supported by firm tannins. Bold and structured. At its best: now to 2023. Sam Kim.August 2019
- 4. 2017 – Terra Felix Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Bright quartz-green. An amalgam of white nectarine, peach skin and grapefruit plus subtle spice notes from fermentation in French oak. The palate is balanced, even and textural, with all flavours harmoniously integrated, the lemon/lime acidity adding length and refreshment. David Bicknell. Halliday 2020 Wine Companion.
- 5. 2017 – Harcourt Valley Merlot.
The wine is sweetly fruited and spicy at the same time, showing dark plum, ripe strawberry, dried herb, anise and roasted not characters on the nose. It is gently weighted and fruit forward on the palate, delivering fine texture and pleasingly drying tannins. At its best: now to 2021. Sam Kim August 2019
- 6. 2017 – Vitae Shiraz.
This is bright, approachable and nicely fragrant on the nose showing dark plum, blueberry, violet and mixed spice aromas, followed by a flavoursome palate that is supple and fruity. Smooth and lingering with appealing fruit flavours. At its best: now to 2021. Sam Kim. August 2019.
- 7. 2012 – Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
From a steep, north-facing slope in Coldstream, the vineyard 40yo, open-fermented, matured in French barriques for 16 months. The price has risen from $40, but is well worth it. Instead of starting to lighten off since last tasted 4 years ago, it has built presence and complexity. 95 Points James Halliday 2019 Wine Companion
Peter Simon’s visit to Ningbo, China, January 2020
