Auswan Creek 1908 Shiraz 2018
Château Tanunda 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
G 95
G 95
This delicious Barossa Shiraz comes from their Centenarian vineyard, planted back in 1908. Made by Ben Riggs, the wine sees between a year and a year-and-a-half maturation in new French oak. Under cork. 6300 bottles. The colour from these old vines is a near black/magenta. The nose offers dark chocolate, mocha, coffee beans, leather, miso and blackberries. Finely balanced with satiny tannins and bright acidity, there is really good length here. The finish sees a note of bitter coffee and smoked meats. A wine of concentration and focus which will drink beautifully for at least the next 12 to 15 years, likely a decade longer. The question of the price will be one for each individual, but the wine is certainly a pleasure to drink. Drink now–2039 Camino Centenary Vines Grenache 2023 G 95 Also sourced from those fabulous old Grenache vines, planted back in 1912, on the Hemera Estate vineyard at Lyndoch, the team use 25% whole bunches and then gave the wine time in old French oak to mature. Crimson red in colour, it is the stunning aromatics which really steal the limelight, confirming how good Barossa Grenache can be. The nose gives us notes of smoked meats, raspberries, peppermint, soy, dried herbs, cherries and a touch of florals. The texture here is supple, the tannins mouthcoating. A wine of impressive length, energy and fine balance, while remaining elegant, gentle and fragrant. A cracker for drinking over the next six to eight years. Drink now–2032 Chaffey Bros Wine Co Tripelpunkt Riesling Riesling 2024 G 95 In line with many as a 2024 vintage character, another delicate styling showcasing pretty aromas and a faint note of lavender and rose petal. Subtle acidity feels as well, celebrating the purity and fine beauty of the variety. A lovely wine. Drink now–2034 Chaffey Bros. Wine Co Elijah Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep purple. Complex bouquet of dried blackberry, pepper, charcuterie, hints of violets. Full-bodied and savoury with plentiful al dente tannins supporting spicy blackberry notes. Lots of energy and drive on the palate with good freshness. Layered and intriguing, finishing long and savoury. Drink now–2031, 14.5% alc Charles Melton The Kirche Shiraz Cabernet 2021 G 95 A small bottling named after the Kirche (church) and Kirche Vineyard on Krondorf Road. The family have turned the old church into one of the most desirable places to stay in all of the Barossa. This release, from a great vintage, sees 31% new oak. The split is 81% French oak and 19% American oak. The wine itself is a blend of 62% Shiraz and 38% Cabernet. This is definitely worth seeking out. A dark maroon hue, there are spices, fruitcake notes, blackberries, chocolate, mocha, cassis, coffee beans and tobacco leaves. It is generous and approachable. Coming from a great year, the wine is seamless, with good acidity and balance. There are sleek tannins and such impressive length. Delicious. A 10-year proposition. Drink now–2034
Medium-deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant vanilla aromas with a hint of bush garrigue. Well concentrated blackcurrant, dark plum, hint roasted chestnut, marzipan flavour and long fine-grained tannins. Finishes claret firm with some
leafy notes. 14.5% alc Drink now–2032 Château Tanunda 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021
G 95
Deep crimson. Fragrant musky dark cherry, vanillin marzipan aromas. Very well balanced with deep-set dark cherry, mocha, roasted almond flavours and beautifully integrated chocolaty firm tannins. Finishes chalky and minerally with a twist of aniseed. A lovely well-balanced wine. Drink now–2030 14.9% alc Château Tanunda 100 Year Old Vines Semillon 2023 G 95 Pale colour. Fresh pure lemon curd, grapefruit, tonic water aromas. Generous and creamy with ample lemon, grapefruit, hint nectarine flavours, fine slinky bittersweet textures and fresh long mineral/quartz acidity. A refreshing style with lovely fruit definition, complexity and vivacity. Should develop very well. 13.5% alc Drink now–2028 Corryton Burg Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense bouquet, blackberry jam, pie crust, vanilla. Mouth-filling mulberry, blackberry supported by a fresh acidity, supple tannins, with cedary, toasty overtones. Muscular structure deftly delivering power and freshness. Finishes long. Drink now–2039 14% alc Curator Marananga Shiraz 2022 G 95 The original Curator range was created to exhibit the different terroirs throughout the Barossa. This wine hails from five discrete Shiraz blocks on the home vineyard at Marananga. They include a small (10%) portion of whole bunches in the ferment, after which the wine is pressed into French oak, 20% new, for maturation for a year and a half. The 2100 bottles sealed under diam. The colour is a black maroon, while the nose reveals appealing aromas through notes of blueberries, leather, a touch of charry oak, warm earth, chocolate and blackberries. The palate sees a sweet core of those gorgeous blueberries with coffee beans also in attendance. Excellent length, a fine structure and sleek tannins all combine to add to the appeal. This is a delicious drink and an elegant one, though elegance in the Barossa is a relative thing. It should remain so, and develop even more over the next 10 to 15 years. Drink now–2039
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
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