Basileus Shiraz 2020
G 93
A thoroughly appealing Barossa Shiraz which will provide pleasure for the rest of the decade and a little more. Destemming and then fermentation in small oak fermenters with wild yeasts, before basket pressing to French oak for maturation. A dark maroon hue, the nose weaves through aromatic red fruits, raspberries, a lovely cherries and cream aspect and cranberries, but also blackberries and plums. A most appealing nose. As we move to the palate, rich flavours emerge. There is plenty of oak here, but well integrated, with notes of dark chocolate, leather and mulberries. A good concentrated style, with appealing ripeness, firm tannins and very good
length. Drink now–2034 Bec Hardy Garden Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
G 93
Delicious warm climate Cab, proving such a thing is most definitely possible. The colour here is a deep maroon. There is the merest flick of oak still evident on the nose, adding to the many components contributing to the complexity of the wine. A fleshy style, there are notes of roast meats, raspberries, cranberries, leather and dried herbs. The wine has a pleasing supple texture and impressive length with good focus, sleek tannins and we see more notes of strawberries emerge on the palate. This will provide excellent drinking, full of flavour, over the next six to 10 months. Drink now–2025 Bethany First Village Riesling 2024 G 93 Bone dry Eden Valley Riesling from a cracking vintage at a top price – what more could you want? Very pale lemon in colour, the wine offers pleasing aromatics with notes of limes, citrus blossoms, river stones, jasmine and wet slate. Good focus here and the wine has a delightfully slippery texture, with excellent length and balance, and seabreeze acidity. A fine Eden Valley Riesling which will drink beautifully for the next six to eight years. Drink now–2032 Bethany Blue Quarry Barrel Ferment Chardonnay 2023 G 93 A single vineyard located at high altitude in the Eden Valley, provides the fruit for this ever-so-impressive Chardonnay. Barrel fermentation with around a quarter of the oak, French, new. The wine underwent lees stirring for six months. A gleaming gold/green hue, the barrel ferment notes emerge on the nose with a lovely nutty/ cashew touch and a whiff of vanilla, all elegantly integrated. Stone fruits and peaches, with hints of figs and citrus, and a minerally backing are all evident. This is poised and intense, balanced and long in the finish. A rich and most attractive Chardonnay with hints of apple on the palate, it should drink beautifully for at least the next four to six years. Drink now–2030
South Australia 2024
115
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