Awards and Accolades

2013 Vintage

Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club
"This wine stands out for its sweet, ripe, approachable fruit. There are bountiful red fruits and memories of mint jelly. The palate is firm, though fine, with excellent length. A youthful joy now, but will benefit from 5-10 years in the cellar."

Campbell Mattinson, Australian Wine Companion
"Cabernet in eager-to-please mode. Loose-knit but jubey and generally sweet fruited. Varietal herb notes are hidden away in the background. Pleasant."

From the Winery

The Bard range celebrates the work of Australia’s best known lyric poet John Shaw Neilson who was raised in the cottage on the Hollick Neilson’s Block vineyard. Revered by his peers in the world of literature, Neilson was born in Penola in 1872, and it is thought that much of the imagery in his poetry was conjured up during his childhood experiences in the swampy bushland around Coonawarra.

Good winter rains resulted in a full soil moisture profile prior to the growing season for vintage 2013. After a warm, fast flowering period, the grapes set evenly with high berry numbers per bunch. Summer was warm and dry, leading into a cool autumn allowing for an excellent vintage.

The fruit was picked at optimum ripeness and carefully handled to retain the flavours achieved in the vineyard. Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon typically yields flavours and aromas of dark berries, cherries, plums and other dark fruits. This wine is no exception and shows the Hollick style of producing wines. It also makes this wine an excellent accompaniment to food.