Murdoch Hill The Phaeton Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2023
Sidewood Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2023
G 95
G 95
From the Lenswood and Piccadilly districts. Darker cherry notes, a walk in the forest, a light nod of cola and darker spices – just a pinch. All the Pinot elements come out to play, while a fairly serious palate structure awaits, tannins filling the mouth yet still allowing all the flavours to finish on top. 12.5% alc Drink now–2035 Petaluma ANOVA Chardonnay Chardonnay 2023 G 95 A new top-shelf release of Petaluma Chardonnay, from a range of vineyards across the region. Immediate attractions of ripe stone fruit and quality oak, then a generous palate, typical of the house style, intense fruit with oaky char and flinted ferment characters, all whizzed into a fervour with high-energy lemon-like zing. A bit of a
A compilation of clones, and two Hills vineyards in this Sidewood regional/ varietal release, with elements that appear in each of the single clone wines – pretty fragrance, mid dark cherry notes, some herbal and spice threads, lively acidity and palate freshness with full flavour expression. 13% alc Drink now–2034 Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay Chardonnay 2023 G 95 One of three Sidewood Chardonnays, this arguably the more sophisticated and demure, yet with delicious personality. Fruit purity from the start, the nectarines and peaches white with a splash of lemon juice, a cooler vintage adding a bit more zing in the palate acidity accentuating the flavours and pushing out the finish with a fair bit of drive. Very smart. 13% alc Drink now–2034 Sidewood Owen’s Chardonnay Chardonnay 2022 G 95 Clearly a wine with a heap of winemaking around it. An all Mendoza clone iteration, wild whole bunch and barrel fermented in large format vessels, 35% new. The owner, Owen Inglis, barrel selects his choice. It’s rich with flint and sulphides, with fruit leaning to grapefruit. Oak plays a fairly big role throughout in this show- stopper style which has been widely rewarded across many Australian wine shows. 12.6% alc Drink now–2034 Sidewood Mappinga Shiraz 2021 Medium-deep crimson. A beautifully brooding nose; musky plum, blackberry, graphite shavings, mustard seeds with a blood orange and charry undertone. Superb fruit with poised vigour, cupped by sweet vanillin and charry oak. Lovely density and flow, the tannins kissing the edges. A wine of stature. Drink now–2032 Simon Tolley Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 95 Specified as a single vineyard, single clonal selection F4V6 which, if definitive, leads us into deeper aromatics, more savoury, saline, minerally, with the brambly herbs back in the distance. This all works in a more sophisticated style of Sauvignon to begin, then the punch of acidity kicks in, turbo charging the currant jubey palate, raising the energy stakes no end. Lovely drinking. 12.5% alc Drink now–2028 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay Chardonnay 2023 G 95 From the Hills pioneer Chardonnay vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley, immediately a class above, lovely ripe white stone fruit aromas, subtle creaminess and flaked white nuts, everything deliciously balanced and edged with underlying citrussy acidity, chardonnay fruit magic vital to the end of the day. 12.9% alc Drink now–2034
show stopper. Drink now–2034 Protero Gumeracha Nebbiolo Nebbiolo 2022
G 95
Protero’s Gumeracha vineyard is a pioneering site for the prized Piedmonte variety in the Hills, with Steve Pannell, the winemaker, for much of its existence. The colour here is classically rubyesque, the nose displaying much of the variety’s savoury vibes, dried spice mix, subtle potpourri, a fleshiness as well, with a palate ripeness and familiar coating Nebbiolo tannins midfield and beyond. Solid stuff, and requires fairly hearty braise-like dishes to drink to its best design.14.5% alc Drink now–2035 Protero Pinots White blend 2024 G 95 An Italianesque blend of three Pinots – Grigio, Bianco and Nero – that harmonises into a clear scent of cut Williams pear to start, notching up a gear or two in the palate with fabulous white fruits, apple and nectarine, and wonderfully attentive structural texture, acidity and grip and peppery spice combining to give this wine a genuine sense of serious gastronomic business. 13% alc Drink now–2028 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz Shiraz 2021 G 95 Immediately appealing, deeply layered and engaging. Dark spices, cardamon and pepper, concentrated black fruit flavours entwined with savoury, sweet crumbled earth notes, compact, coiled, rich, willing to please. Elite styling and attention to balance and poise. 14% alc Drink now–2035 Sidewood Ironstone Barrels The Tyre Fitter Syrah Shiraz/Syrah 2021 G 95 Single clone, single vineyard sourced from an estate vineyard in the Echunga district. Darker spice at the approach, a charriness as well, rich with French oak pizzazz and ripe, darker berry fruits crush, well rounded, voluptuous almost, with desirable tannin coating. Complete and attractive styling. 14.2% alc Drink now–2035
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
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