Heirloom Vineyards The Velvet Fog Pinot Noir 2024
G 95
Exotic, yet somehow wholesome and reassuring. Blood plum skin, wild strawberry, quondong and mushroom stalk. It’s an intellectual wine – wildly so. Fragile but fearless, the palate is sprightly and captivating, tapering into a long, deliberate finish. Detailed fruit, tight-framed tannins and just a flicker of charred paperbark to close the loop. Drink now–2038 Hesketh Woodside Gamay 2024 G 95 Harvested from a much-loved vineyard in the central Hills district of Woodside, whole berry and some whole bunch fermented before six months’ maturation in seasoned oak. The result is a most attractive, aromatic nose: fragrant violet, blueberry, crimson cherry. The fruits reverberate in the palate with a spicy creaminess adding to its overall welcoming style. All the top notes and textures might hide the fine underlying acidity here, but you’ll know it once you realise you are soon pouring a second glass. Moreish and most desirable. (The judges at the 2024 Adelaide Hills Wine Show must have thought so, as they awarded this wine the Gamay class trophy.) Drink now–2030 Honey Moon Vineyard Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2023 G 95 A sparkling with depth and intrigue. Sweet, generous fruit on the nose – preserved lemon, lime sherbet, green apple and a touch of cheesecloth. The latter from lees work. The palate follows through beautifully, aromas becoming flavours with ease. Not a bad little traditional-method sparkling. Complex and delicious, in fact. Drink now–2028 Honey Moon Vineyards Sweet Cream Apera Grüner Veltliner Multi-Vintage G 95 Only in the Adelaide Hills could you get a sweet cream Apera made from late- harvest Grüner Veltliner. A stunning Australian sherry (style) tipple. Poached apples, golden raisins and praline. Thick, glossy and unapologetically slow. It makes you sit back in contentment. What a novelty – what a privilege. The palate is framed by dried white figs and more apple, this time dried. Camomile drifts through the finish – lush, layered and deeply comforting. Proof that sweetness can still show restraint. Drink now–2030 Howard Vineyard Amos Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2022 G 95 Traditional method. From Howard Vineyard’s Beautiful Valley vineyard in Charleston. Three years on lees has brought a well-measured depth of tirage complexity here, nothing out of place, neatly toned mousse with just a faint notion of salivating bitters adding tension to the apple-like fruit lines. A pleasure to both sip and savour. Drink now–2032
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | Adelaide Hills
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