Tarrawatta Wines Ambervale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yalumba Vat 11 Grenache 2023
G 92
G 92
The fruit for this wine was sourced from a single, dry grown vineyard in the famed Marananga sub-region of the Barossa, which was planted back in 1965. The name comes from a specific vat, yes Vat 11, in the Yalumba cellars which is used for small batch wines. Always a great way to give a winemaker the freedom to see what they can come up with – many wonderful wines have begun life this way. The wine spent 8½ months in oak. A bright garnet hue here, with spices, strawberries and appealing floral notes. This is youthful, but full of flavour. There are fine tannins and good length, but at this early stage, the finish does fade perhaps a fraction sooner than expected. That said, a few years in the bottle should more than cure this. Drink now–2027 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2022 G 92 Another of the many versions of Grenache, this one designed to provide slightly simple but utterly delicious drinking. Sourced from a number of older bush vine vineyards in the Barossa. A vibrant crimson colour, the nose exhibits notes of cherries, spices, gentle red fruits and oodles of strawberries. It is medium bodied at best, but basically, a soft, easy drinking, crowd-pleaser. There is a silky palate and sleek tannins with good length, while the wine remains balanced throughout. Drink now and for the next four years. Good value. Drink now–2028 Z Wine August Old Vine Grenache 2022 G 92 Medium-deep crimson. Lifted cherry, rhubarb, lovely musky plum, strawberry, currant pastille and hint of confectionary note. A smooth and juicy red-fruited wine with attractive sweetness. Bright acidity and fine slinky tannins in a fruit-driven, approachable style with lingering spice on the finish. 14.5% alc Drink now–soon Arila Gardens Moppa Nero d’Avola 2023 G 91 The fruit here is sourced from a range of vineyards, all in the Moppa sub-region of the Barossa Valley. It may come as a surprise that there are a range of vineyards here growing Nero d’Avola, but it is a rising star, quickly gaining popularity and ideally suited to regions such as this. A vibrant purple hue, the nose offers notes of mulberries, black cherries, plums, liquorice, spices, blueberries and a hint of oak. A big, firm style, this is powerful and concentrated. There is crunchy acidity running the length, and bold tannins with a persistent finish. Attractively muscular, this will provide pleasure for at least the next eight years. A fine example of just why this variety is becoming so popular. Drink now–2032 Atze’s Corner Settlers Garden Vermentino 2023 G 91 Pale straw colour. Lifted aromatics, lemon, lime peel, green pear, lemon thyme with slight grassy notes. Zippy acidity, tangy wine with crunchy apple, lemon juice and bittersweet textures. An appealing saline line carries on the finish for a refreshing drink-now style. 11.5% alc Drink now–2026
Deep crimson. Minty eucalypt nose, blackcurrant and cedar. Full bodied and muscular with minty eucalypt notes, cedar and ribena. Lots of power and intensity. Well concentrated with a backbone of chalky drying tannins. Harmonious and well balanced. Finishes long. 14.9% alc Drink now–2031 Tim Smith Mataro 2023 G 92 A couple of vineyards on the Barossa floor, one 70 years of age and the other a whopping 140 years, provide the fruit. Maturation is in large older French barrels (500-litre puncheons). This is an impressive example of what a solo Mataro can offer. Dark garnet hue, the nose exhibits raspberries and mulberries, dry herbs and cherries, with warm earth and delicatessen meats. Firm, poised, tight and coiled in structure, the texture is supple with sleek tannins and there is very good length. A wine full of power, the palate is oozing purple fruits. Expect this to provide top- notch drinking for the next eight to 10 years. Drink now–2034 Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2022 G 92 The final wine is a barrel selection from the best of the team’s Shiraz, sourced from across the Barossa, though much hails from the Western Ranges. It has an excellent pedigree with the preceding vintage picking up a trophy at the Barossa Wine Show for Best Shiraz. A very dark magenta/maroon, this is intense, poised and offering underlying coiled power. There is still oak evident, in the process of integration. The wine offers notes of smoked meats, soy, warm earth, black fruits, axle grease and cloves. The wine is of medium length, seamless in structure and with fine tannins. attractive drinking to be had here for the next four to six years, by which time, every chance the score will have edged up quite a bit. Drink now–2030 Woods Crampton Eden Valley Riesling 2023 G 92 The fruit for this fresh and attractive Riesling is sourced from three higher altitude vineyards in the Eden Valley, around 600 metres above sea level. Whole bunch pressing before cool fermentation to dryness. This is indeed a bone-dry Riesling, quite delicious. The nose exhibits notes of limes and lemons with a hint of orange rind, and pleasing floral characters. This is a little more upfront and slightly broader than some and is perhaps a Riesling which is more for immediate gratification rather than putting away for many years at the back of the cellar. That said, it will still easily sail through the next five to eight years. Lovely line of fresh, lemony acidity running the length to finish. Drink now–2032
152
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
153
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