SA Wine Guide 2025

Poonawatta Four Gardens of Eden Valley Shiraz 2022

Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2022

G 94

G 94

After a little more than 18 months in barrel, the various parcels from ‘the four corners of the Barossa’, are blended together. A very dark purple colour here, there are attractive aromatics ranging through chocolate, cassis, aniseed, beef stock, bay leaves, mocha and cocoa powder with some raspberries emerging after the wine had time in glass. There is coiled power here, with abundant but fine tannins, balance and length. The palate is dominated by chocolate. A really good example of the style, which will provide pleasure for the next 10 to 12 years. Drink now–2036 Poonawatta The Eden Riesling 202 G 94 Pale golden green hue. Aromatic oil skin notes, lemon curd, pine-lime, ginger bread, tonic water and toasty notes with a hint of verbena. Well balanced with generous fruit richness, lemon curd, tonic water, honeyed toast and marzipan flavours. Silky acidity, expressive and textured with loose-knit powdery texture. A wine of good

Mamre Brook is the name of the old stone house, still standing, built by William Salter when he purchased land here back in the 1860s. The colour of this superb Barossa Shiraz, which is brilliant value, is a vibrant dark purple. The wine is full of notes of dark chocolate, blackberries, leather, warm earth, mulberries and plums. The more time in the glass, the more that emerged from it as it continued to open up. The palate sees blueberries coming to the fore, with notes of liquorice. The wine is plush, well balanced, full of flavour, with a lovely, long fade and sleek tannins. Enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink now–2032 Schild Estate Ben Schild Shiraz 2021 G 94 For me, this is one of the absolute stars of the Schild range and might just be the best value they offer, especially coming from such a thrilling vintage. Inky purple colour here, this is plush and generous, brimming over with black fruits, plums, dry herbs, cassis and chocolate. There is well-integrated oak evident and the palate offers a move to prunes. A wine of seduction with very silky tannins, with just the merest hint of chalkiness, and impressive length. This is going to excite wine lovers for at least the next eight to 12 years. Drink now–2036 Schild Estate Three Springs Shiraz 2019 G 94 The original Schild home is located at the Three springs vineyard, which was planted almost a century ago, in the Rowland Flat sub-region. It sits 380 metres above sea level. Under diam. The colour here is a dark red/maroon. That this is a wine of concentration and power is immediately obvious and it will appeal immensely to many wine lovers. There are notes of chocolate, cassis, beef stock, soy, vegemite, blackberries and delicatessen meats. Firm and powerful, well balanced, with great length, this is a 15-year proposition. Think Barossa Shiraz on steroids. Drink now–2039 Schubert Estate Gooseyard Block Shiraz 2018 G 94 Deep crimson. Well developed wine with complex blackberry, graphite, praline aromas with some panforte notes. Richly concentrated and complete with fresh developed choco-berry, tobacco flavours, chocolaty textures and underlying Bourbon/toasty notes. Finishes fruit-sweet and long. A very attractive bottle-aged Shiraz with lovely complexity and flow. 15.5% alc Drink now–2028+

complexity and length. 12% alc Drink now–2030 Purple Hands Wines Planta Circa Ancestor Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

G 94

Crimson. Fragrant camomile, blackcurrant, touch leafy aromas with some mocha notes. Concentrated cassis, dark chocolate flavours, fine long grainy textures, lovely mid-palate richness and underlying mocha/espresso oak. Claret firm at the finish with ample dark berry fruits and graphite notes. 14% alc Drink now–2032 Schwarz Wine Co. Thiele Road Grenache 2023 G 94 Medium crimson. Lifted red plum, strawberry aromas with musky violet notes, Richly flavoured and juicy red cherry, strawberry, red plum flavours, some cola notes, fine lacy textures and fresh long minerally acidity. 14.2% alc Drink now–2040 Saltram Mamre Brook Riesling 2024 G 94 The vines providing the fruit for this superb Eden Valley Riesling were planted back in 1935. The colour of the wine is a near transparent lemon hue. It is a beautifully perfumed Riesling with aromas of florals, limes and a range of other citrus, lavender, bath salts and lemon sherbet. Balanced, seamless and very long, the finish is so persistent. A cracking Riesling, great value, which will drink wonderfully well for the next 12 to 15 years. Drink now–2039

108

The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

109

Powered by