The Islander Estate Vineyards Pétiyante Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling NV
The Islander Estate Vineyards The Independence Malbec 2016
G 92
G 90
A lovely lemon cream bun note rules over this sparkling; apple pie as well, but it’s the delightfully soft mousse that wins outright in terms of the total expression and style, as well as a delicate powder-puff texture – traditional second ferment in the bottle and seven months matured with lees delivering a most delicious celebratory glass of bubbles. 12.5% alc Drink now–2028 Springs Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 G 91 Ripe blackberry notions to start – smells of summer berry picking and sticky juices all over the place. Much the same vibe in the palate, nicely medium-weighted with flavour and foundation balance, drying tannins tempering the fruit sweetness in the finish. Lingers with a subtle pepperiness. Craves for a decent hit of red meat. 14.5% alc Drink now–2030 Springs Road Chardonnay 2024 G 91 New season Chardonnay, fresh with definite white nectarine flavours and a little barrel ferment earthy spice. Maturation over autumn and winter has added a subtle oak depth to the palate that is keenly focused on the fruit first and foremost, with a decent textural mouthfeel to finish. All good things. 13% alc Drink now–2028 The Islander Estate Vineyards The Investigator Cabernet Franc 2019 G 91 From the IEV flagship range, in a massive bottle, sealed under cork. Attractive crimson-berried nose with some Australian bush dustiness and sea-spray notes. Big, rich palate, full-bodied yet still in a red-to-blue fruit spectrum, tobacco leaf, chewy tannins with a little bitterness. Lots to go on with this big blockbuster wine. 14% alc Drink now–2030 The Islander Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 G 91 Cabernet in the maritime world of Kangaroo Island. It makes sense. Classic varietal nose, blacker fruits with a green tea elegance woven through. Rich and full-bodied in style, dark bitter chocolate suggestions, soft to dry tannins direct the final stages to the exit. Solid. 14.5% alc Drink now–2034
From the flagship IEV range. Everything about this wine is big, from the bottle to the full-bodied giant that lives inside it. Ageing gracefully, bluer fruit and floral fragrances meld together, a bush and gravelly dustiness adding an earthy layering. The palate does well to pull its weight as big-time tannins wash in high-tide proportions. A bit of a brute, if you like that style. Dian cork. 14.5% alc Drink now–2030
Dudley Shearing Shed Red Shiraz/Cabernet blend 2021
G 90
A rustic Aussie red blend, Shiraz and Cabernet with a dash of Merlot, wafts of mulberry pie and a good breath of oak to start, becoming juicier as you taste, part fruit, part beef stock, yet not denying a ripe crimson fruit layer through its centre. Good knockabout campfire drinking. 13.5% alc Drink now–2029
220
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
221
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