Antiquarian, Limited Rare Field White
Limited Rare Field White
An Antiquarian is a collector of rare or ancient books and curios, a name befitting this rare and exclusive wine. Antiquarian wines, the pinnacle of quality, are hand crafted from only the very best parcels.
In many regions of the world, the ancient practice of field blends is perpetuated today. Some say field blends began in small plots where a mixture of varieties was planted so it became a practice of mixing all the fruit in the vineyard together. What the field blend does is take the ultimate test of terroir and allow the varieties grown there to meld into a seamless wine with complex layering.
The Antiquarian Rare Field White was the creation of Phil Reedman MW and Peter Gajewski.
Alcohol 14.5%
Closure Screw cap
Fruit Muscadelle, Chenin Blanc, Colombard and Semillon
Region South Australia
Cellar 5-10 years: Will cellar for five years or more if you seek aged characters or serve lightly chilled as an aperitif.
Description Capturing the essence of the vineyard, the wine is bright straw in colour and exhibits ripe guava and exotic cinnamon. The texturally complex palate speaks of pristine fruit: red apples, quince, nectarine and sweet spices balanced with toasty oak.
Vegan friendly.
2016 Reviews & Awards
Top 100 Australian Wines – Matthew Jukes
“I rarely see Phil Reedman MW because he lives Down Under and only pops up occasionally, but when he sends me an email (his latest paper on the Biodynamic tasting calendar is fascinating) or alerts me to a wine I sit up and listen. We met may moons ago when he sold Aussie wine in the UK and we sat the MW exams together in 1993 (with starkly different results)! Anyway, he came up with the idea behind this wine. It is a true Field Blend of Muscadelle, Chenin Blanc, Colombard and Semillon, coming from the Byrne Family Vineyards estate, and it is made by picking the various parcels of grapes on the same day and then co-fermenting them with natural yeasts in old French oak barrels with the aim of making a hugely complex, layered and unique wine. Basically, it’s a snapshot of this exact vineyard, its soil and this moment in time. I am delighted to report that it is a triumph with scented, dried herb and white flower notes, mingling with ginger, lemongrass, peach skin and patisserie. It is ever-changing in the glass and it will inevitably age well, too, because there is a lot of power beneath the perfume. Fascinating from start to finish, it is hard to compare to other styles of wine apart from a handful of top flight, complex, white South African blends which sometimes blend these grapes together for the very same reasons. If you are familiar with the South Western French white Jurançon, then there is similar exoticism and also tension, on the finish, found in this wine, too. But nothing can come close to Antiquarian because it is unique, so try to track down a bottle – it may well be a challenge because only 200 cases were made.” Matthew Jukes July 2018
GOLD Medal AWC Vienna Wine Show 2017
Silver Medal Mundus Vini 2017 Summer Wine Show
17/20 – Jancis Robinson reviewed by Julia Harding MW
Complex, impressive and still totally refreshing, with the dry finish giving a minerally aftertaste. It may well age longer - I imagine it will show a more honeyed quality -and it is delicious now. (JR)
2015 Reviews & Awards
93 points GOLD Wines Showcase Magazine Australia 2015
Commended UK International Wine Challenge 2015
91 points/4 stars Huon Hooke – The Real Review Alliance 2016
Colour is light straw with the faintest tinge of brass. The aromas are elusive but straw, hay and yeastiness come across, with a trace of spice. A hint of rose petals. Clean and appealing. It's much the same in the mouth, a very appealing light, textured dry white, with ever-so-subtle barrel fermented characteristics 1/9/2016. Drink 2016 to 2022
93 points Financial Review – Tim White November 2015
Quite exotic peachy, almost apricotty smelling. Candied, slightly crème brulee-ish, and woody (but not oak-woody). Fruity oaky. Quite delicate and slippery across the tongue before becoming a bit chewy, which is good. Plenty of flavour in here and a burnt orange-sweet bitterness. Excellent weight and depth. This is fun, albeit rather expensive fun. 93/100