O’Leary Walker Lenswood Sauvignon Blanc 2025
G 93
Virtually clear in the glass, with zesty gooseberry-like aromas, tangy acidity with good citrussy flavours, all neatly measured and balanced, a touch of pith in the palate to offer a mouth-watering drinkability. Drink now–2028 Paracombe Pinot Gris 2025 G 93 Attractive white stone fruit and orchard florals, classic opening aromatics, with just a touch of honey in the blossom notes. There’s a big leap into the palate, with a burst of tangy acidity greeting you at the front, then allowing a subtle flavour profile to settle in, spice and white stone fruit suggestions tapering neatly. Lovely style. Drink now–2030 Riposte The Katana Chardonnay 2024 G 93 From Tim Knappstein and son Nick, who have this fruit from a selected grower in the Kenton Valley district. 50% wild fermented in barrel (25% new French barriques) with a distinctive result in its initial wafts of flint and roast nuts. The wine soon bridges into a herbal and lime leaf aromatic, with senses of green citrus flavours following in the mouth, chalk-dust minerality in hugs, and textural support for a neatly toned, fruit-forward Hills Chardonnay. Drink now–2028
Sidewood Estate Chardonnay 2024
G 93
Sidewood’s multi-tiered Chardonnay portfolio is an impressive collection in anyone’s language, and the 2024 vintage is clearly a beauty if the response for more elite cousins, the Mappinga and Owen variations, are any marker, winning trophies hand over fist in this year’s wine show circuit. The Estate, sourced from several of Sidewood’s vineyards across different sectors of the Hills region, is set to a generous aroma/flavour profile: lightly roasted peach, almond cake, orange cream biscuit, with a smartly measured citrus seam underpinning its palate lines, flavours reverbing in the textured finish. A people-friendly Chardonnay with plenty of vinous attraction. Drink now–2031 Sidewood Estate Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2024 G 93 Delicate, familiar woody, leafy, spicy tonalities offset a lighter, red fruit profile, with an ease to the palate balance that offers great drinkability and perhaps diffuses the pure essences here of the Pinot variety. Lovely spice seasons the finish. Very smart. Drink now–2030
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The Vintage Journal
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