Adelaide Hills Wine Guide 2025

Longview Grüner Veltliner Grüner Veltliner 2024

Protero Aromatico White blend 2023

G 93

G 93

Pale in the glass. High toned, floral, citrus, minerally, all of which flows directly into the palate with a neat little zing of acidity and a light summer coat of pithiness that holds the palate in shape. Super refreshing. 12.5% alc Drink now–2029 Longview Jupiter Barbera 2021 G 93 Barbera with a definite lean towards concentration and fruit power, ripeness bang on, rose garden, dark choc-coated orange notes all in there, a subtle ferrous element inside an attractive sweet fruit-driven palate with supportive tannins that release a final burst of flavour into the finish. Lovely drinking. 14.5% alc Drink now–2035 Mordrelle Blanc de Blancs ‘Reserve’ Sparkling 2018 G 93 Full respect for this zero-dosage expression of a wine that has aged for six years on lees. It’s just showing a light move towards gold, and exudes classic long-tirage characters, yeast bun, lemon curd, roasted hazelnuts, Swiss brown mushrooms that meld into one palate thread, lively with a dash of acidity and well-beaded mousse. A well-achieved aged style. 12.3% alc Traditional method Drink now–2028 Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard Home Block Riesling Riesling 2023 G 93 The label carries its more specific Lenswood sub-district sourcing. Attractive floral and native bush blossom, an undercut of cut limes, all bridging nicely into the palate, zinging acidity driving its turbo drive of citrus flavours, mouthwatering and clearly expressed. 12.5% alc Drink now–2039 Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard Late Disgorged Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling 2016 G 93 A 55/45 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay cuvée, with more than seven years on lees, now showing that in a subtle autolysis character yet still intensely citrussed and fresh, a frothed-up mousse adding to the refreshment and textural integrity as you sip. The aged notes remain delicate throughout, a touch woodsy, with lemon curd and cream bun vibes in the finish. 11.5% Traditional method Drink now–2030 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2023 G 93 Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit, lemon curd, touch honeycomb aromas with hints of tonic water and flint. Pure grapefruit, lemon pastille flavours, fine lacy textures, some mid-palate richness and long mineral acidity. Al dente, slinky finish with bitter lime notes. Expressive and taut with understated power. Should evolve with a touch of bottle age. Echoes rather than resonates. 12.5% alc Drink 2025–2030. Pike & Joyce ‘Céder’ Riesling Riesling 2023 G 93 All Lenswood estate fruit in an elegant aromatic feel, lime juices, mint notes, with sweet apple flavours on the palate, well managed on the acidity, chalky in the mouth, easy to enjoy and quite delicious. 11% alc Drink now–2032

A spicy white blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc that screams spring and summer time with its aromas of rose petals and lime blossom, with a cute nostalgic whiff of musk stick all spilling into an exotic mouthful of tropical fruits with a chaser of gin and tonic flavours. As these dwell on the palate, a fine chalk dust-like texture settles everything, lingering with a peppery spice note in the finish. Can roam a wide world of cuisines, from Thai to authentic tapas. 13.5% alc Drink now–2027 Riposte The Sabre Pinot Noir 2023 G 93 Sourced from six pinot clones grown in the elite Hills districts of Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley, each clone vinified separately and matured in French barrels, 25% new, finally undergoing barrel selection of the best 85% of the wine before final blending. What results is gently floral, red cherry-toned and softly spiced. A faint note of char reminds you of the well figured oak regime, with a subtle grippiness in the finish noting that this is a well-intentioned, clear-sighted Pinot that is focused on purity of expression. Drink 2026–2030 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 93 Pale, lemon hue. Fragrant passionfruit, verbena, lemon zest and white grapefruit. A wine of lovely freshness, the mouth-watering acidity supported by a supple fruit sweetness that helps build body. Pure and well balanced – threads of spice are sewn into the pithy texture. A hallmark Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now–2026

Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021

G 93

Medium-deep ruby. An attractive glossy nose, berry compote, vanilla bean, red cherry to the fore, praline and bay leaf the posterior. Ample sweet berry fruits run in unison with the wine’s vivacious acidity – together bright yet full. Fine tannins perch themselves on the palate, unassumingly supporting the long, spiced vanillin finish. Beautifully made, with universal appeal. Drink now–2034 Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2023 G 93 Lovely, familiar darker cherry with exact insertion of French oak spice into the total expression of the aromatics. A vibrant lift to introduce the palate, ripe fruit in full sway, woody notes, generous flavours held close by finely entwined tannins. Lots to like here in a well-practised style. 13.5% alc Drink now–2032

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

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