Taylors The Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Grosset Springvale Riesling 2024
G 96
G 95
A tribute to multiple generations of Taylors and their vision for wine in the Clare Valley, The Legacy is a formidable, multi-layered Cabernet, almost impenetrable as a seven-year-old. Inky and dense in dark red hues, the scent offers a stroll in a dark forest with woody notes, undergrowth, earth, violets, gum leaves and dried herbs wrapped in a plenitude of dark fruits and liquorice. It’s a palate fuelled by a multitude of fruit, spice, herbs and oak layers and delivered in the full embrace of savoury-edged tannins. It’s warm, generous and living large. Far reaching in its ambition and in its desire for further ageing. Drink now–2050 Wines by KT Melva Watervale Riesling 2024 G 96 A wild-fermented Riesling that is so wildly composed and pristine. The palate is where the majority of the action is, with succulent tangerine, orange blossom, ginger, white peaches and pulverised rocks. Give it more time to unlock the full power. It will do, and become even more significant. Drink now–2040 ArtWine Leave Your Hat On Montepulciano 2022 Also known at ArtWine as 'the full monty,' montepulciano delivers a lot of flavour, generous and comforting, in a small glass. Deep, dark purple hues. Immediately lifted in dark berries, plums, blue fruits, dried herbs and dusty cacao. Rolls easily across the tongue with additional hints of earth and leather, solid in sturdy tannins and clean acidity. Offers depth and the potential for further complexity through ageing. Seriously smart wine. Drink: 2024–2030 G 95
While Polish Hill gets the loud applause each vintage, the quiet beauty and elegance of Springvale deserves our equal, undivided attention. In 2024, a fast-paced early vintage for Riesling, we see another pristine, high tension, citrus-fuelled example of Springvale presented delicately and with detail. This is a wine of line and length: a straight line of spring flowers, apple blossom florals and clean, brisk lime and citrus that is super fresh and driving as it runs long across the palate. Lip smacking acidity to close. Drink now–2038 Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2021 G 95 Classic Clare Shiraz in all its glory from a great year. Brilliant hues of purple- violet. Boasts a natural poise and elegance with fruit, oak and tannin effortlessly dovetailing, releasing a world of black cherry, forest berries, smoky spice, cedar and clove. The palate has weight – medium-bodied – and texture, fleshy throughout. Remains so vibrant and fresh to close, with a lift in lively spices. So good, and good to see this youngster perfectly poised for an even longer, brighter future. Drink now–2040 Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling 2024 G 95 Restrained, naturally and beautifully, Mort’s Block highlights the absolute purity of expression that the Watervale sub-region brings to the glass. Dusty citrus blossom, jasmine, fresh-cut apple, a whisper of sweet basil – it seems almost minimalist in construction – and, above all, an enduring linear run of crunchy acidity that goes and goes. Drink now–2031 Kirrihill The Peacemaker of Clare Cabernet Shiraz 2018 G 95 The Cabernet force is strong in this partnership, the grape’s aromatics to the fore in violet, menthol, oregano and well supported by black cherry and blackberry fruits. The combo is, as ever, a friendly meeting of two different minds that seem to click, Cabernet bringing the aromatics and structure, and Shiraz bringing the warmth and middle palate roundness. It’s delivered in generous serves of flavour. Hits the spot now and has time on its side. Drink now–2038 Kirrihill The Gentleman of Clare Shiraz Mataro 2018 G 95 In terrific shape for a six-year-old opening in a chorus of ripe sumptuousness. Impenetrable black-red colour. A wealth of deep blackberry, cassis, black cherry with baked earth, liquorice, chocolate and cedar. The building blocks for something quite special have been established, and the wine is developing well, extending some pungent aromatics and spice amid a sea of dense dark fruits with fine tannins and a seam of fresh acidity driving it forward and long. Drink now–2036
Crabtree RC Riesling 2024
G 95
Top of the tree in the Crabtree Riesling world, RC is taut as a drum, coiled and fresh for further time in bottle. It boasts a sound basis for ageing with confidence. Let’s start with the finely struck minerality, flint and stony edges, so engaging, and citrus and light floral concentration. Opens gently on the palate to allow a view of intense citrus, lime, grapefruit pith, apple and zesty acidity running long into the finish. It’s direct, intense and linear in style. Will be a corker with age. Drink now–2034
Grosset Alea Riesling 2024
G 95
Celebrates the finer, juicy side of Riesling with a brilliant tingle-inducing, subtle sweetness that now defines the Alea style. It immediately brightens the senses, putting them on notice. The scent of spring flowers, jasmine, green apple and citrus introduces an outwardly sunny wine. But, for one so young, it runs deep, melding notes of kaffir lime and candied ginger, grapefruit, lemon drop and lime zestiness into one penetrating presence. Bright acidity in league with an easy flowing gentle sweetness completes this impressive off-dry style. Drink now–2036
176
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
177
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