Skillogalee Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
G 91
Luxurious cedary wood, rolled tobacco leaves, eucalyptus, dried blackberries, and dark chocolate notes. Velvety tannins and juicy acidity make this wine a thirst quencher and an excellent introduction for Cabernet novices. Drink now–2030 Sussex Squire The Hungry Sheep Mataro 2022 G 91 The grape was long known in the Clare Valley as mataro before its alternate, sexier French moniker, mourvèdre, dominated wine labels. So, here’s to mataro, and here’s to a wine that celebrates all of the grape’s natural deep colour, spice and black- berried oomph. It’s one tidy and mighty tasty wine with almost an old school, laid-back ease. Nothing is rushed as the wine slowly unfurls in plum, blackberry, oregano spice, sage and lifted aromatic violet florals. There’s a lick of woodsy oak with a good depth of supple yet dense tannins towards the finish. There’s also some cellaring potential. Drink now–2032 Crabtree Pomona Riesling 2024 G 90 Plenty of bright, lemony zestiness on show in this youngster sourced from the Watervale sub-region. It’s got some non-stop energy flowing through its vinous soul assisted by juicy, filigree-fine acidity, that just keeps on going. On the delicate side in its florals – apple blossom, jasmine, white pepper – and featuring some serious citrus and lime intensity as it moves, almost bounces, across the palate. In youth, it makes for perfect solo drinking enjoyment. With some time under its belt, it’s going to be super with seafood. A fine, well-priced Watervale ambassador. Drink now–2029 Crabtree Watervale Semillon 2024 G 90 Semillon remains a bit of an outlier in the Clare Valley, but it can and does shine in the hands of a producer who cares. Plenty of waxy citrus fruit, lemon barley, acacia on the nose with pear and apple. Well composed in the old school style of Semillon, which starts with just-ripe fruit lower in alcohol and higher in acid with a flinty, almost chalky edge. It helps drive the wine. Brings a touch of the exotic on the middle palate with lime cordial flavours mixing with earthy ginger, lemon balm and a warm, developing texture. Focused and restrained. Drink now–2030 Crabtree RC Shiraz Cabernet 2022 G 90 Ripe, sweet fruited and already approachable in a distinctly Watervale way. A blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet, this interpretation of the great Aussie red is all about natural elegance. Black plum, black berries, aniseed and a world of spice with a layer of vanillin oak open up to the drinker, hand in hand with a fleshy texture managed by fine but firm tannins. And RC? It stands for Richard Cane, father of the proprietor and an important supporter of Crabtree. Drink now–2028
South Australia 2024
193
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