The Reviews
The Islander Estate Vineyards The Red Shiraz 2022
G 93
From the estate vineyard. Its initial sense is with a cooler-climate-like fragrance, peppery and with a backdrop of eucalyptus forest - just a note to pinpoint its source. Flavour spectrum is very much in the crimson berry/fruit mode with medium- to full-bodied presence and well-cast grip in the mouth-filling finish. 14% alc Drink now–2030 Dudley Cape Hart Riesling 2015 G 92 Maturing Riesling colour – mid gold with green tinges. Classic aromas for the age, a lime marmalade note with decent intensity, which tends to relax in the palate as a chalky mouthfeel and tempered acidity state their presence, directing the finish with lingering spice and roasted lime flavours. Southeast Asian spiced fish dishes will
Springs Road Terre Napoleon Shiraz 2022
G 94
A best of selection of the estate Shiraz, deeply imbued with dark fruits and lovely, supportive French oak spice, both superbly threaded together into one clear voice that enjoys the savoury side of the ledger. A subtle char appears in the palate as well, with a well-tempered finish. A quite sophisticated style. 14.5% alc Drink now–2034 The Islander Estate Vineyards Bark Hut Road Cabernet Franc/Shiraz 2022 G 94 Percentages are undefined, but the nose suggests the CabFranc is leading the charge aromatically as well as, later on, structurally. Blue fruit/berry notes, with a decent amount of earth and forest-y elements, then in the palate a rounder creaminess develops on top of a foundation of prominent tannins and peppery acidity. It sounds big and muscly, but in fact there’s a medium-bodied, softer heart in here. 14% alc Drink now–2034 Dudley The Stud Shiraz 2020 G 93 A flagship production in massive bottle, the name pointing to the beef cattle interests of the proprietors. The nose is all about pure-bred Shiraz, dark fruits and a soft crumble of earth and spice, the palate well weighted, medium to full, with classic black plum compote flavours, a waft of oak spice and nicely introduced tannins, gentle in the finish. A big, cuddly wine. 14.5% alc Drink now–2034 Springs Road Little Island Rosé 2024 G 93 A Shiraz-based Rosé sourced from KI and McLaren Vale. The gloss in the pale pink colour is most alluring. Smells of similarly toned bush rose buds, and tastes of crunchy watermelon and strawberry, with a lightly cast grip in the finish. Lovely styling from start to finish. 12.5% alc Drink now–2026 The Islander Estate Vineyards Wally White Semillon 2022 G 93 A distinctive wine from KI, ripe fruit, aromas of hay and lemon tree flowers with creamier lemon curd flavour and texture. Barrel ferment and maturation come into play, a subtle oaked thread in the palate, while baking spice notes add tastier complexities in the finish. Quite mouth-filling and generously shaped. 13.5% alc Drink now–2030
love it. 11.5% alc Drink now–2028 Springs Road Little Island Red Shiraz/blend 2024
G 92
A new season Shiraz-driven blend designed to be poured as a youthful slurpy. There’s a lovely blueberry-like fragrance, a fruit crush kind of thing, lively to the taste, and lots of fun flavour in a medium-weighted style, yet still with proper tannin weaving through the palate. Summer barbecues await. 14.5% alc Drink now–2028 The Islander Estate Vineyards Boxing Bay Shiraz/Cabernet 2021 G 92 The art in this iteration of the traditional red blend is how all of the elements work in concert. There’s a faint nod of eucalyptus that harmonises with a peppery thread that seasons the crimson-to-black fruit profile, which tucks neatly inside just enough oak to add some weight and finishing power to the wine. Nice work. Will relish a barbecue. 14% alc Drink now–2030 The Islander Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2023 G 92 All the varietal expectations are here, tropical fruits, passionfruit, limes, yet in a more relaxed mode than many sauvignons. Herbal notes, too, with sage and lemongrass, and a quite noticeable saline thread, with subtle bitterness in the finish. Familiar, yet distinctive. 12.5% alc Drink now–2026 The Islander Estate Vineyards Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2023 G 92 A blend that looks very much at home on Kangaroo Island. Well tempered tropical notes with the citrus leaning to creamy and curd-like – barrel ferment and maturation show their influence. A lovely, evenly balanced style with top note exotics and underlying acidity and under-stated complexity. Deserved more love. 13% alc Drink now–2028
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
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