By Andy Young

McWilliam's has added a Chardonnay and Shiraz to its Flagship Range, which the company says showcase the best of the New South Wales Hilltops and Tumbarumba regions.

The new wines are the 2014 '1877' Hilltops Shiraz and the 2013 '842' Tumbarumba Chardonnay, which is the first table white wine in the range.

McWilliam's winemaker Manager Bryan Currie said the Flagship wines represented the heritage of McWilliam’s NSW history.

"New South Wales runs through McWilliam's blood – it's where it all began for us and we believe in the quality fruit that each region produces," he said.

"These wines wear their region on their sleeve. They are distinct and powerful and we do very little to manipulate their hallmark features. First and foremost, we want the Flagship and Appellation wines to represent the region they come from as strongly as possible and we’re extremely proud of these releases."

The Shiraz is described as "a vibrant mix of red and purple with bright aromas of dark cherry and cherry coupled with lifted florals and fresh toasty oak. The medium-bodied palate is bright with acidity and fine slatey tannins. This wine drinks well on release, but will reward the drinker with medium to long-term cellaring".

The Chardonnay is "straw yellow in colour with an intense and complex aroma of golden peach, ripe fig and honeydew melon, complemented by toasty cashew nut and biscuit notes. The palate is powerful with great fruit intensity and balanced creamy texture. Ripe melon and stone fruit flavours merge with a pure line of grapefruit acidity that drives the wine to fantastic depth and length for a vibrant finish". 

Both the wines are now available and the Shiraz RRP is $80, while the Chardonnay RRP is $70.

The Shout Team

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