Gibson Burkes Hill Shiraz 2021
Head Wines The Blonde Shiraz 2022
G 94
G 94
Apparently, the vineyard has a Lutheran cross sitting watch over the vines. Whether that improves the wine or not, who knows, but I guess it can’t hurt. This is from an east-facing slope at 430 metres above sea level, planted back in 1965. Maturation was in a mix of new and older French oak hogsheads. It is their first single vineyard Barossa Shiraz. An opaque purple/maroon, the nose oozes dark chocolate, dark plums, blackberries, spices, coffee grinds, notes of leather and cloves. A well-crafted and finely balanced wine with serious length, it is attractively seductive, supple and with sleek tannins. The palate sees the emergence of a core of chocolate and cassis notes with florals. The finish just keeps lingering and lingering. A wine which will offer pleasure for eight to 12 years at least. A wine of detail. A cracker. Drink now–2036 Gibson Australian Old Vine Collection Shiraz 2018 G 94 Most of the fruit here was sourced from the team’s Burkes Hill Vineyard at Eden Valley, with vines planted over 60 years ago. Vinification was in small open fermenters followed by maturation in a mix of new and older French oak puncheons and hogsheads. Under cork. The colour here is an opaque maroon. Chocolate dominates the nose at this stage with black cherries, vanilla, graphite, leather and cigar box notes. There is good complexity and the on-going oak integration is proceeding well. Sleek tannins, good concentration, excellent length and a promising future for the next 10 to 15 years are all on offer. Drink now–2039 Golden Amrita Sunshine Hill Shiraz 2021 G 94 Medium-deep crimson. Chinotto, cola, dark cherry pastille aromas with hints of black olive. Chocolaty-textured wine with cherry pastille, blackberry, cola flavours, loose-knit fine gravelly tannins, a hint of vanilla/marzipan and well-balanced acidity. Exemplary winemaking with all the elements in balance. Drink now–2028
Medium-deep crimson. Intense black cherry, aniseed aromas with marzipan notes. Deeply concentrated with attractive black cherry, blackberry fruits, fine chalky firm textures, very good mid-palate richness and long inky/chinotto notes, More high tensile than the Brunette, but very well balanced for cellaring. 14.5% alc Drink 2026– 2035 Heirloom Vineyards A’Lambra Shiraz 2022 G 94 Deep colour, Flinty, smoked meat, dark berry aromas. Fresh supple palate with attractive black cherry, charcuterie flavours, fine loose-knit graphite tannins and some roasted walnut, hint marzipan notes. Bittersweet gravelly/minerally finish.
14.5% alc Drink now–2030 Heggies Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2022
G 94
This is the pointy end Chardy from the Heggies Vineyard in Eden Valley. The fruit is the Bernard clone and the ferment is with wild yeasts. 11 months maturing French oak barriques with 28% of them new and 42% of the wine matured in ceramic wine eggs. A pale pineapple yellow here. This is a seriously impressive Chardonnay, with real concentration and drive. There is oak here, but it is handled even more deftly than others in the range, integrated beautifully. There is balance and length here, along with some early complexity. A creamy texture with good acidity and bright acidity. The flavours are a range of stone fruits and tropicals, underpinned by a flinty backing. Six to eight years of pleasure ahead. Drink now–2032 Hentley Farm Barossa Collection Riesling 2024 G 94 This wine comes from three high-altitude blocks of Eden Valley Riesling. The colour is a very pale lemon. This is a seriously aromatic Riesling with limes and lemons, florals, notes of oystershell and bath salts and a character like lemon detergent (in the most positive sense). There is a fine line of juicy acidity running the length, good focus and energy, and a lengthy finish. This is a celebration of Eden Valley Riesling and will drink beautifully until at least 2040. Drink now–2040 Hentley Farm The Old Legend Grenache 2023 G 94 This is the team’s homage to old vine Barossa Grenache and what a wine it is! Previous vintages have shown just what a fine pedigree this wine has, with the 2021 winning the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy. It comes from three parcels in a single vineyard. Crimson/purple in colour, the nose gives us notes of raspberries, spices, tobacco leaves, a flick of pepper, dried herbs and a character reminiscent of a dusty road. There is good grip, even though the tannins are delightfully cushiony, and excellent length. Enjoy it over the next four to six years although it will surely cellar well beyond that. Cracking stuff. Drink now–2030
Greenock Estate Greenock Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
G 94
From a single vineyard in the Barossa, the vines are in excess of 70 years of age. The wine spent 22 months maturing in French oak and is bottled under cork. The colour here is a deep magenta. There is quite a meaty nose with black fruits, plums, aniseed, bergamot, black cherries and smoked meats. The wine is rich and chocolatey on the palate and we see the emergence of tobacco leaves among the flavours. Very good length here with sleek tannins, this is a rich and full flavoured style from the Barossa. Enjoy it over the next 10 to 12 years. Drink now–2036 Hare’s Chase Lepus Shiraz 2021 G 94 Deep crimson. Subtle bouquet, black plum, freshly cut cedar, sandalwood. Plush, ripe mulberry and blackberry fruit, supple tannins balanced by good freshness. Made in a pared-back style, yet still offering excellent concentration. Finishes long, with sandalwood accents. 14.5% alc Drink now–2034
102
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
103
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