Posted on September 3, 2019 – 11:30 am
We are thrilled to announce our newest addition to the Angelini Wine portfolio, welcome Helen and Joey Estate Wines of Yarra Valley, Australia.
Helen & Joey purchased an already established Yarra Valley Vineyard in 2010. Since then Helen, the female owner and operator, and her small team have worked tirelessly to farm the vines better to produce better fruit to make better wine. The results are paying off with estate wines showing remarkable Yarra Valley character. The cool growing conditions of the Yarra Valley produce wines with far more elegance, restraint and aromatics than normally associated with Australian wine.
Meg Brodtmann, Winemaker at Helen & Joey Estate
A unique logo behind the brand….
The unicorn is a mythical creature which has been written about in history across many cultures for thousands of years. Accusations of real sightings have been made many times, only in reality, the sightings were other animals; perhaps seen in the mist from afar, an antelope with only one antler, a stunnin
g white horse disappearing into the forest.
The unicorn, like wine, is an enigma; it is ambiguous, often puzzling, stunningly beautiful, subjective and like the Unicorn displays all things that we admire; Strength, Power and Elegance.
Learn more about Helen & Joey Estate here.
Now for the glorious new wines… we have taken on two collections. The Inara and the Layla.
The Inara Collection – named for an ancient middle eastern name – joyful, youthful, luminous. The Inara range is all about everyday and every occasion deliciousness. They are Yarra Valley wines that shine in their youth, versatile, refreshing, approachable. They epitomise the casual character of Australian culture and life. Our Inara collection features the Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2017 Helen and Joey Estate Inara Chardonnay has layers of complexity on both the nose and the palate. Classic cool climate Chardonnay characteristics of just ripe stone fruit are supported by toasty oak and a hint of toffee. The wine has a textured, creamy mouthfeel and would be perfectly matched with crispy fish tacos.
Suggested Retail $20.99
Beautifully concentrated, the 2017 Helen and Joey Estate Inara Shiraz has aromas and flavours of black pepper with spicy stewed mulberry. The oak ageing has added hints of vanilla, clove and cinnamon. Fine tannins support the juicy red berry fruit. The 2017 Inara Shiraz can be enjoyed on its own or share it with friends over a big plate of smoked barbeque brisket.
Suggested Retail $20.99
The 2018 Helen and Joey Estate Inara Cabernet Sauvignon has it all – blackcurrant, a hint of mint, blackberry compôte and a touch of spice from the oak. The tannins are fine and firm, providing generous support to the concentrated fruit. While designed to be consumed early, the wine will continue to improve over the mid term. The 2018 Inara Cabernet Sauvignon would be great with old school Steak Diane.
Suggested Retail $20.99
The Layla Collection comes from the ancient middle eastern name meaning Dark Beauty, relating to the Ecstasy of the Wine, that feeling comes over your body when drinking wine. The Layla range is about premium modern expressions of the hero varieties of the Yarra Valley. They are the wines in which the vineyard, soil, season and microclimates are most evident. A range of exceptional wine for an excellent price.
The 2016 Helen and Joey Layla Chardonnay abides by our driving force of power, strength and elegance. Opposing elements of minerality and creaminess make this an outstanding, complex wine. The aromas and flavors of lemon pith, chamomile, just ripe nectarine and apricot are underlain by fine, grained, smoky oak. Enjoy this wine now with a classic – freshly shucked oysters with a dot of green apple granita.
Suggested Retail: $30.99
The 2018 Helen and Joey Estate Layla Pinot Noir wine is ruby-garnet in color. On the nose, the wine is all about fresh strawberry, cherry and raspberry with a hint of toast and clove spice from the oak. The palate is well balanced, showing bright red fruits with creamy oak notes subtly sitting around the wine and seamlessly integrating with the fruit. Tannins are silky smooth and weave the palate together producing a wine that is fruit forward, complex and long. A simple yet perfect food match for this wine would be hot pan seared kangaroo fillet with roasted root vegetables.
Suggested Retail $30.99
As always, ask for these spectacular new wines at your favorite wine retailer or restaurant. Cheers!
