Adelaide Hills Wine Guide 2025

Greenhill Blanc de Noir Brut Sparkling 2021

Cooke Brothers Chardonnay 2022

G 91

G 91

Faint lemon. A nose of subtle interest, flint, lemon and olive oil popcorn, the loose kernels lightly charred. Lovely interplay between acid and malo on the palate, bright lemon and grapefruit flavours softened by a nougat creaminess. Elegantly restrained, the wine captures your attention without ever raising its voice. Both poised and balanced, it slowly peters away, leaving a satisfying sweet bitterness behind. Classy winemaking. Drink now–2028 CRFT The Arranmore Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 G 91 A brilliant lemon imbued with gold. Elegantly perfumed, green apple, lime cordial and marzipan. Supple bodied with lovely tensile acidity. Lime, grapefruit, and lemon balm on the palate, green apple flesh in the core and a subtle maltiness tapering at the finish. On the leaner side of the spectrum, makes for a refreshing Chardonnay. Drink now–2030 Dandelion Vineyards Wishing Clock of the Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 91 Pale lemon hue. Fragrant floral spice, lime zest, kumquat with a hint of cardamon and lantana. There is a buoyancy to the wine; it’s slinky, yet successfully retains both concentration and length. A layered display of flavour, this is a most sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now–2026 First Drop Endless Summer Pinot Grigio 2024 G 91 Pale colour, feminine hint of blush. Elegantly perfumed, classic lemon, hint of white stone fruit and elderflower. Well composed with bright fruit and racy acidity. The wine carries fresh and buoyant, in a pure, clean style of universal appeal. Drink now–2025 Five Acre Wines Si-Nerg-Gi-A Tempranillo 2022 G 91 Nose shows some nice plum with subtle dark choc/cola orange-skin elements, similar flavour feels and aromatics following, with varietal tannins holding the wine in place. Decent varietal capture across the board. 14% alc Drink now–2034

Clear lemon. Attractive perfume of quince, white nectarine and Anzac biscuit. Supple, with lovely flow in the palate – stone fruit, sourdough flavours and a hint of lees flintiness. Fine-beaded, a touch of sweetness in the centre makes for an approachable Single Varietal sparkling, well balanced by its pithy finish. Traditional method. Drink 2023–2030 Greenhill Wines Running Postman Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2022 G 91 Estate grown, Summertown district. Black cherry flesh and skins, ground-up stones, minerally and earthy, though fruit has presence throughout, subtly supported with friendly acid and tannin foundations. 13% alc Drink now–2028 Greenhill Wines Creamy Candles Chardonnay Chardonnay 2022 G 91 Glossy mid-gold with green tinges. Aromas suggest dried pear, baked apple and crusty pastry, with intriguing flavours in much the same realm, a delicate oak note, spiced and woodsy, with a decent foundation of acidity and soft grip to wrap it all up. Enticing. 14% alc Drink now–2028

Hither & Yon Syrah Shiraz/Syrah 2021

G 91

From a unique vineyard, on the Hills region slope of a creek line, the other side being in the McLaren Vale region. Nicely charry, with sweet plum fruit layers and earthy spices. Chalk-dusty in its feels, neatly directed forwards in the mouth, with a touch of bright lip-smack in the finish. Does nicely. 14% alc Cork. Drink now–2032 Jericho Selected Vineyard Fiano 2023 G 91 Clear lemon. Aromatically intriguing, lemon curd, mandarin, orange blossom with hints of honey and lanolin as tertiary notes start to evolve. Lovely weight on the riper side, marmalade-esque and grilled peach complemented by an appealing bitter bite. A textural wine of good complexity and length – its slightly unctuous edge makes it an idyllic food pairing. Drink now–2025 K1 by Geoff Hardy Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2023 G 91 Delicate florals, fragrant with a lily/jasmine-like spice, citrus notes more in the lemon to tangelo spectrum, lemongrass bathroom salts in play as well. A measured tang and tingle to the palate, allow this wine to satisfy with more desirability. Drink now–2025

G 91

Light crimson in the glass. An immediate earthiness: game, char, cola and brick dust, entwined with rhubarb and sour cherry. Vibrant and juicy in style, this is light, yet retains clear fruit definition. Finishes with an attractive sappy mineral finish. A wine that will see any meal complete. Drink now–2030

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

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