New releases showcase a new era for Fowles Wines

Fowles Wines pulled off a major coup when they signed up Matt Harrop as their chief winemaker late last year.

New Zealand-born Harrop is one of Australia's most talented winemakers, and a leading wine show judge.

He has worked at Rothbury Estate, Grosset, Brokenwood, Nautilus and Shadowfax and joined Fowles from Curly Flat Wines in the Macedon Ranges. He also has his own family wine label, Silent Way.

Harrop currently chairs the National Wine Show panel and has previously chaired the Melbourne Wine Show.

He has extensive experience working in climates and soils similar to those in Victoria's rocky Strathbogie Ranges, where Fowles is located.

"His expertise in cool-climate viticulture aligns perfectly with our vineyards in the Strathbogie Ranges," says Fowles Wines owner Matt Fowles.

"He is well positioned to drive our continued success."

Fowles has just released three impressive wines under its Stone Dwellers label, the first trio of wines in which Harrop played a role and finished prior to bottling.

 

The trio comprises the Fowles Stone Dwellers 2024 Arneis, 20124 Riesling and 2023 Sangiovese. All three are impressively cohesive, food friendly and offer excellent value with an RRP of $35.

While I enjoyed all three, the Arneis was my standout with its vibrancy, varietal character, structure and fruit-forward freshness. No oak, but lees treatment has added to the palate weight.

The Sangiovese is balanced, delightfully savoury and ready to enjoy immediately after being aged in almost neutral older French oak, while the Riesling is crisp, fresh, dry and versatile.

The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades.

See www.fowleswine.com