Paul and Kathy Drogemuller established Paracombe following the devastating Ash Wednesday in 1983. It has become a very successful business, producing a range of wines from the 15–ha vineyard which are never less than good, often very good. The wines are made on–site in the winery with every part of the production process through to the distribution handled from the winery.
James Halliday, Wine Companion 2011
…This makes Paracombe amongst the few small Australian brands at the moment that I would attribute to being viable while there are dozens which are in real difficulty. And the last positive is position, position, position. The Adelaide Hills as a regional site is one of the better ones in the country.
Peter Scudamore–Smith, Wine Master II in Australia. Food Companion International, Spring 2006
Holland Creek Riesling 2011
This Adelaide Hills Riesling has scintillating purity and freshness; it’s really bristling with fine lemon and lime citrus fruit aromas, perfumed fragrant lift, and nectarine too. The palate’s crisp, bright and crunchy: apple and lime fruits here, and hints of stone fruits. Really approachable and complete.
93 Points Nick Stock, The Age & The Syndey Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2012
Sauvignon Blanc 2011
The 2011 vintage sauvignon for Paracombe is a crisp tropical–fruited affair, with a little citrus in the mix, some passionfruit and grassy elements too – smells mouth–watering. The palate’s smooth and supple, with bright tropical flavour. Drink up.
91 Points Nick Stock, The Age & The Syndey Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2012
Pinot Gris 2011
From the northern end of the Hills region, this PG has been given the palest of skin blushes with ripe pears the core fruit driver a definite nod to a well–flavoured style of Gris rather than the often seen steelier, austere Grigio. Add a strawberry pith note to the texture and you know you’ve got a wine with presence.
93 Points Tony Love, taste.com.au Top 100 Wines
The colour has a light–pink tinge that’s sometimes seen in gris made from ripe, bronze pinot gris grapes. There’s good ripeness married with freshness here: pears and apples, floral musky perfume too. The palate’s nice and juicy with a smooth, gently creamy edge; poached peach to close.
92 Points Nick Stock, The Age & The Syndey Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2012
The Paracombe Pinot Gris 2011 makes a melony impression from the first swirl of the glass. The familiar varietal nashi pear also is present on the nose and palate, which reveals nectarine and crème caramel as well.
Ross Noble, The Courier 5 October, 2011
Chardonnay 2009
A subtle wine showing purity of fruit, gentle layers of nutty intensity and soft texture. Presents with sweet firmness of ripe nectarines with the grace and strength of a ballerina’s point shoes.
2011/2012 Adelaide Review Hot 100 South Australian Wines
Alluring aromatic bouquet with underlying hint of limes and lemons. Sweet citrus fruit flavours with crisp acid and lingering finish.
92 Points, Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
Red Ruby 2011
A vibrant mid pink in the glass, this is quite unusual in its all–malbec grape make–up which offers gorgeous raspberry meets red currant aromas with bright berry fruit energy to go on with. There’s also a damned good fuller bodied red malbec in the range.
91 Points Tony Love, taste.com.au Top 100 Wines
The Drogemuller family of Paracombe Wines uses mainly estate fruit but the nearby Waugh family vineyard is declared as the source of the Paracombe Wines Red Ruby Adelaide Hills Malbec Rosé 2011. Bright and clear red as a ruby, it has ripe raspberry aromas and flavours and is crisp and refreshing in the finish. This is the first malbec rosé I have had and it was just fine with smoked trout and crackers.
Ross Noble, The Courier 5 October
This has the full strawberries–and–cream experience on offer – raspberries and cherries too – it’s really bright and fragrant. The palate’s smooth, round and juicy, with a little trickle of sugar; raspberry and cherry all the way through the finish.
89 Points Nick Stock, The Age & The Syndey Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2012
Pinot Noir 2010
Here’s a seductive little number. Elements of cloves and nutmeg work well with a medium bodied palate with direct, round and alluring fruit. Bright and lifted yet still dark and imposing… frankly, this is a steal.
SA Life Magazine
Intriguing complex nose with good vibrant fruit and mouth watering tannins. A beautifully created wine.
Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
Cabernet Franc 2007
Lovely perfumed nose — smells of violets. Beautifully balanced palate with classy fruit, great oak and good level of acidity. Lots happening.
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Winestate Magazine |
Fresh fruit and floral aromas on the nose with varietal fruit flavours that fill up the mouth.
93, Points Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
The 2007 single–vineyard Paracombe reds are stunning – and the prices make them all the more attractive. This lovely fresh cabernet franc has a perfume of glossy black cherry and aniseed lollies and a bright, tangy juiciness in the mouth. I also like the 2007 Shiraz Viognier with its pretty floral lift and powdery tannins; and the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon with it’s haunting perfume and sturdy, almost Wendouree–like tannins. Amazing vitality and balance in wines that are all 14.5–percent alcohol or higher.
Max Allen, Gourmet Traveller Wine August/September 2011
Paracombe has made this wine since ’93, and does more with it than most, especially if you think of the red wine of Chinon in the Loire Valley; has a particular fragrance midway between tobacco and violets.
90 Points James Halliday Wine Companion 2011
Another fine example of franc is the Paracombe Adelaide Hills Cabernet Franc 2007 from the north–east of the Hills. A stylish drink, it has ripe berry fruits with fine gentle tannins.
Ross Noble, The Courier 29 June, 2011
The Reuben 2008
Superb cabernet blend with sweet blackberry and minty bouquet. Has good depth of rich cassis and ripe cherry flavours on a long, well–textured palate.
93 Points, Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
BARGAIN. Yes, I know, you don’t often see the word "bargain" applied to a $20–plus wine, but you will struggle to find a cabernet at twice the price with this much complexity and class.
Max Allen, Gourmet Traveller August 2011
Crisp mint with floral–like aromas. Stylish palate with hints of roasted coffee and sweet cassis flavours. A very polished finish.
93 Points, Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
Complex wine with attractive rustic character. Some pepper on the nose and a rich weighty palate. Should age well.
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Winestate Magazine, Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends |
Lifted, fruity nose and supple, well–balanced blackcurrant fruit with balancing oak.
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Winestate Magazine, Adelaide Hills |
Shiraz 2007
Cool climate style spice characters on the nose and palate but has plums and blackberries lurking underneath. Well balanced with nice length.
92 Points, Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
Savoury smoky/meaty nose and red fruit palate with firm, drying tannins.
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Winestate Magazine, Adelaide Hills |
Shiraz Viognier 2007
“A very dense and serious wine,” said one judge. Has ripe mulberries, spicy plums and subtle oak.
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Winestate Magazine |
Bright colour and a perfumed bouquet are enhanced by the addition of some Viognier to the ferment of the Paracombe Adelaide Hills Shiraz Viognier 2007. Fruit came off the nearby MacGillivray family’s vineyard. Ripe red plum and red berry fruits abound with pepper and spice.
Ross Noble, The Courier July 13, 2011
Somerville Shiraz 2007
Giant lifted fragrance to the complex chocolate and berry nose. Rich and beautifully textured palate with nicely layered flavours of varietal fruit and sweet oak.
95 Points, Wine Showcase Magazine October 2011
