The Reviews
Jim Barry Wines The Armagh Shiraz 2022
G 97
Planted in 1968, The Armagh vineyard is one of Australia’s great repositories of world class Shiraz. It provides an almost effortless consistency from year to year. The ’22 vintage offers less of a Shiraz assault, and more of a charm offensive. Moves from aromatic, floral-infused, plum, blueberry and dark berried scents with hints of Dutch liquorice and menthol to a palate that enters into a whole new world of intensity. The gently savoury meets the ripe and concentrated, with added layers of smoked meat, earth, leather, toasty oak and cocoa powder bringing an extra dimension. Balance is neatly struck; so, too, the sleek, firm tannins that carry the wine long. Give it the time it deserves. Drink now–2046 Kilikanoon Walton 1946 Grenache 2021 G 97 A top combo of old vines and an exceptional vintage produces a real beauty of a Grenache, ethereal and lifted. Alluring in fragrance with rose petal, iris, red berries, crushed herbs and hints of peppermint and musk confection. The palate’s the thing, where everything melds seamlessly, aromatically fine and elevated, but also deep in concentration. Elegantly dressed in a layer of fine tannin, it’s complete and complex now, which can only mean it will age gracefully. A brilliant wine. Drink now–2040 Taylors The Pioneer Shiraz 2019 G 97 Warm to hot conditions in the lead-up to vintage saw one of the earliest harvests in years. Looking youthful in deep crimson-purple hues, it releases seductive aromas, lifted and aromatic, in violet, plum, black cherry, cassis with hints of raspberry and vanillin spice. Super elegant with nary an oak or tannin note out of place; indeed, it is seamless. Maturation in French oak (50% new) for close to 24 months delivers fine, focused tannins on a richly woven palate of dark fruits and spice with an enduring floral note that runs long. And it’s still remarkably fresh and youthful, just as it started out. Six years young and it’s got a lot more in reserve. Drink now–2042
Wines by KT Howarth Vineyard Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
G 97
A wine not to be rushed. The building blocks for a wine of serious complexity have been laid but it would be a mistake to broach too early. Deep, purple-crimson hues. It’s a full-on dark beauty replete in blackberries, cassis, blood plum, dark earth, deep spice and vanillin oak that completely fills the mouth, saturates it in flavour with an essence-like concentration. The Howarth Vineyard hails from Armagh and this is very much in the classic Armagh style – rich and ripe and super impressive. A keeper. Drink now–2040
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | Clare Valley
183
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