O’Leary Walker Pinotage 2024
G 90
A new grape variety for the Valley, pinotage is a cross between pinot noir and cinsault, and while it is normally associated with South Africa, it is showing some potential at O’Leary Walker. It’s a lively savoury youngster on the bouquet with bramble, earth wrapped around dark red and blue fruits, liquorice, mint and spices. The dark fruits are super ripe, bringing a flavour to the glass rich in savoury cured meat, fungi, earth, dried leaves, herbs and barbecue sauce. It certainly offers a different taste experience: generous, solid, savoury, round and ready to go. Drink now–2032 Pauletts Shiraz 2023 G 90 Offers a youthful, vibrant, medium-bodied and spicy Shiraz that is ready to go. Plenty of upfront dark cherry, plum, chocolate and woody spice rolled into a well- composed, gently tannined palate, bright and breezy to close. Drink now–2030 Pikes Luccio Sangiovese 2024 G 90 Luccio? It’s another name for the pike fish. Nice one. Nice wine, too, one that fits the producer’s easy drinking style and price point. Highlights the grape’s full-on dark cherries and spice with some real spice interest via liquorice strap, some clove.
Drink now–2029 Pikes Eastside Shiraz 2023
G 90
Has immediate drinkability in its sights with a more fruit/less oak approach to Clare Valley Shiraz. It’s all about lively freshness and juicy black cherry, plum and blueberries with plenty of spice support finishing with a lovely rise of herbals. Tannins spread even, ripe and long. Drink now–2028 Sussex Squire The Hungry Sheep Mataro 2023 G 90 Mataro – aka Mourvèdre – reveals its inner country charm in ‘23 with a savoury, earthy thread running wild and long. Blue fruits and black, bramble and briar, join fennel, sage and crushed wild herbs to deliver a mix of ripe fruit and earthy elements dressed in chewy, supple tannins. Good, solid flavour, sans glitz. Drink now–2033 Tim Adams Mr Mick Fine Old Tawny NV G 90 A Tawny in an immediate, approachable style flush in dried fruits, prune, walnuts and ripe date. The palate boasts a smooth, sweet toffee warmth and texture, finishing sweet. A rancio nuttiness rises on the finish. Bright and fresh. 500ml. Drink now–2030
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | Clare Valley
213
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