Curtis Martins Vineyards Shiraz 2021
G 95
A treasure of a vintage brings together the black, blue and red fruit coupled with some lilac florals. This is the kind of wine that you want to peer further into its depths with each sip. The richness of concentrated blackberries, hawthorn with a mulberry/berry savoury quality. The palate is restrained, allowing the fruit to complement the brooding spice of tonka bean, cocoa and nigella seed that lingers on the finish. For all its ripe fruit, acidity is undulating and keeps the wine medium- bodied with a ribbon of fine tannins intertwined. A beautiful wine that will continue to evolve in the cellar for another 5–6 years, but on opening tonight, I would go for some slow-roasted pork sliders. Drink now–2031 Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot 2022 G 95 A Black Forest cake of dark cherries, rich chocolate icing and crumbly vanilla sponge. Edible in every sense of the word, it’s ripe with plum and prune, and new oak sings along in the background, very much befitting the plush style. Despite its pool of plump fruit sitting juicy in the mid palate, there has been effort to keep the brightness of acidity and a gentle swathe of tannins. It’s a great wine, period. A Merlot worth your time, and it might be a bit fun to blind your snobby Merlot- dissing mates too. Drink now–2032 Hugh Hamilton Black Blood Shiraz 2023 G 95 Fruit is from the alluvial-soil-based Church Vineyard and opens with dark plums and beetroot. Some bilberry and blackcurrants. The palate deepens its fruit profile with boysenberries and an innate acidity that flows from start to finish. Some clove and poppyseed; oak plays a backing track to the fruit and earth voice. Supple tannins linger. This is an elegant representation of site with presence. Drink now–2032 In Praise of Shadows Grenache 2024 G 95 The backbone of this Grenache is fruit from a couple of sites in Blewitt Springs, a touch of Clarendon and a sneaky 5% Mataro. 21% whole bunch. Matured in large format seasoned oak. Gentle swaying apple trees, white cherries and cranberries. Birch bark and whole nutmeg, the delicacy of this wine is always remarkable. Tannins are powdery and plume over the palate. Driving acidity and the wine finishes with a Chantilly cream. It’s poised and pretty as a picture. Superb value. Drink now–2030
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | McLaren Vale
265
Powered by FlippingBook