Change is slow and, of course, it’s a region deserving of greater visitation based on wine quality alone. The Shiraz wines, which dominated the reds submitted, showed threads of soft dark fruit meshing with attractive spice, earth, present but integrated oak, and firm structure. The Cabernet Sauvignon wines were second in terms of quantity, showing threads of classic dark fruits, mint and graphite tannins. One notable category was Fiano, with several wines showing excellent balance and true varietal characters of salinity, almond, as well as both stone fruits and tropical fruits. As with many warmer regions, this grape variety will likely increase in importance in furthering the white wine identity of the region. Overall, the big take-home was the exceptional value on offer, with wines in the sub $30 price point consistently over-delivering. Beware the quiet ones, indeed. I get the sense that, after 170-odd years of hushed tones, Langhorne Creek is now finding its voice.
South Australia 2024
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