Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2023
Sevenhill St. Ignatius Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec 2021
G 95
G 95
Does the Clare Valley proud, year after year. Admirable consistency again in 2023 from this vineyard high in the Clare hills, delivering an attractive purity of Riesling flavour and brisk acidity which will suit the cellar. Arresting scent of citrus blossom, lemon drop, lime zest and talc . . . very Clare. A zesty fresh, juicy, citrussy core of lime punctuated in aromatic jasmine notes and a touch of ginger and Thai basil. A refined, subtle texture made bright by some zippy acidity, just right for early drinking, if that is desired. Length is impressive. Drink now–2030 Pikes The Hill Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 G 95 Lovely Cabernet fruit intensity at its core, which then filters across every corner of the wine. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, briar, leafy and herbal with an autumnal earthy harmony, the quality of fruit and the clear identification of Cabernet strengths in both flavour, structure and detailed tannins make for a rewarding wine experience. Quite seamless. Drink now–2038 Pikes The Merle Riesling 2024 G 95 The Merle celebrates the purest expression of Riesling off the Pikes’ Polish Hill River vineyard. Set against a warm, textural backdrop, the ‘24 explores the River’s distinctive floral-induced aromatics – honeysuckle, white pepper, Thai basil – before zeroing in on its citrus intensity in lime flesh, zest, preserved lemon with red apple and a splash of lemongrass. It’s one complex youngster. Past releases assure the drinker that it will also age a treat. Drink now–2036 Rieslingfreak No. 2 Riesling 2024 G 95 So fine, so precise, with goosebump excitement levels for Riesling nerds out there. Piercing scent, delicate and fragrant in white flowers, apple blossom, lime, lemon and grapefruit pith. An old school Riesling of structure, structure, structure, with a firm line of assertive acidity that just keeps on going. Purity of fruit is concentrated and beautifully expressed in lime, lemon, dusty citrus and Granny Smith apple bite. Line and length assured, so too a super dry persistence through to the finish. Drink now–2037 Rieslingfreak No. 3 Riesling 2024 G 95 Essentially dry, No. 3’s fruit sweetness brings a scintillating tingle that is hard to forget. It goes hand in hand with gentle lime blossom, lemon sherbet, red apple, bath salts and slate aromas that are beautifully transformed on the palate with winemaking precision. There is a wealth of flavour still tightly bound to a fine texture and braced in tingle acidity with a citrus and mineral edge. A highly tensile young Riesling ready to go (for eager beavers out there) or with a big future ahead (if you have the will). Drink now–2037
A Bordeaux blend – Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec – from a top year, and it’s a magical combination. Serious in deep crimson hues, equally serious in its exploration of complexity, melding each grape’s strong points. Ripe black berries, plum, blue fruits, violet, briar and black pepper join forces to present a wine that is both fleshy and dense with a black fruited intensity, finishing structural and firm. Excellent concentration throughout, guided by fine, sandpaper tannins. So smart. Drink now–2035 Sevenhill Open Range Grenache 2022 G 95 Great youthful bright colour in vivid crimson. A fragrance, lifted in maraschino cherry, fresh raspberries, rosemary and dried herbs with a hint of zesty orange peel, reveals one seriously elegant, expressive Grenache. It is immediately backed up by a palate medium in body and gently undulating in fruit, spice and fine sandy tannins. It flows effortlessly. Drink now–2034 Sevenhill 27 Miles Riesling 2023 G 95 Firmly in the Clare Valley Riesling zone with an intensity of pure lime essence. The fragrance offers the scent of citrus blossom, lime zest, Bickford’s cordial, green apple and jasmine. The palate is fleshed out in deep citrus flavours of lime, grapefruit, lemon sorbet, musk with a good concentration and tension. The beauty of a top vintage is captured and delivered in tangy, mouth-watering acidity. Drink now–2035 Skillogalee Trevarrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 G 95 Bay leaf, mocha, polished blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. A charry note, then gets on the stage, new leather, and turned earth. The delightful choc-mint component opens the way to a filigree of tannins that fills the whole palate and goes beyond. This wine has a rustic shade, just as it wants to show you that things are still developing. Be patient, and you’ll see the whole picture. Drink now–2040 Skillogalee Trevarrick Riesling 2024 G 95 Vibrantly cool, finely tuned lemon verbena, sage leaf, Ambrosia apple, jasmine, and pink grapefruit. It shows an energetic palate in all its Z factor, as in zingy and zappy. I love its juiciness, aromaticity, and character. It has a head and tail and delivers. Drink now–2038 Sussex Squire The Hackett Estate Range Shiraz 2022 G 95 Reveals a complex, brooding, dark side of Shiraz, literally and figuratively. Deep purple-magenta in hue, followed by a scent oozing dark plums, blackberry, aniseed, black olive tapenade, cocoa and earth. Unctuous and charming, it offers a deep richness of flavour elevated by a lifted floral presence and smart, appealing vanillin oak. There is detail here, too, something that becomes more apparent with time opened, as dense tannins fully loosen up. Drink now–2034
180
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
181
Powered by FlippingBook