SA Wine Guide 2025

Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Charlotte Dalton Wines This Is My Vermentino Vementino 2024

G 93

G 92

Cedar oak, blackcurrant and clove sit at the fore of an elegant aromatic profile, with some gentle black olive, plum, and spearmint to follow. The palate holds lovely elegant appeal, too. Creamy oak to the texture, sitting around blackcurrant, black cherry, plum and mint. Fine gravelly tannins are laced with mint dark chocolate bringing nice bitterness through the finish alongside freshening black-fruited acidity. Elegant and cool-fruited, punching above its price point. Drink now–2029 The Pawn Wine Co Fiano Fiano 2023 G 93 Restrained aromas of yellow apple, pear, quince, and orange blossom are followed by melon, subtle honey and white almond. The palate is bright and lifted, with a good core of apple and pear fruit surrounded by hazelnut, melon and bitter almond. There’s some nice chalky phenolic grip adding textural dimension and interest, and a nice wash of cleansing acidity through the finish. A poised and classy

Green edges to the light golden colour. The fragrance bursts out of the glass with musk and muscat-like aromas, exotic and spicy as well, lingering in the palate as the main flavour driver, giving some gravitas with a well-cast textural grip. Lovely spicy drinking with highly flavoured dishes. Drink now–2026 Charlotte Dalton Wines Fred Fiano Fiano 2024 G 92 The Italian variety Fiano given a lovely little Australian twist here, a subtle waft of mint and lime in the aromatics that drift easily into the flavour profile, savoury and saline, coastal acacia, peppery spice in neatly tangy finish with just the right amount of slipperiness to warrant another glass. Drink now–2026 Heartland Vermentino Vermentino 2023 G 92 Lemon pith, nashi pear, oyster shell and sea spray first up in a nervy aesthetic, followed by a sweet lift of green florals. The palate is quite tensile and furled, led by lemon juice, grapefruit, green mango skin and salty brine – all drawn long by a persistent, salty, grapefruit acidity. A lovely example, if lacking a touch in concentration. For $25, though, a steal. Drink now–2027 Heartland Director’s Cut Shiraz Shiraz 2021 G 92 Opaque with a ruby rim. Blackberry and plum meld with cut leather, cedar and black olive. Some nutmeg spice, coal, cocoa and tilled earth to follow, adding complexity and interest. Altogether, an even and attractive aromatic profile. On the palate, black fruit, leather and spice notes coat the mouth before being quickly constricted within firm, grainy, mocha-laced tannins. A black-fruited acid line cleanses the mouth and draws length. This is big and bold, but balanced. A food wine, for sure. Drink 2026–2031 Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 G 92 Mulberry, black tea and blackberry at the fore of an elegant set of aromas, followed by paperbark, delicate nutmeg and eucalyptus. The palate has a fresh and even feel. Mulberry dark chocolate, nutmeg, and mint glide through the palate before being wrapped up in grainy tannins and mulberry-drenched acidity to a long, elegant and choc mint-laced finish. Lovely elegance, complexity and flow, particularly at this price point. Drink now–2027

example. Drink now–2027 Ben Potts Fiddler’s Block Shiraz 2021

G 92

Gentle aromas of dark plum, blackberry, and briar with supporting black pepper and nutmeg spice first off. Waftings of earth and coal in the background. The palate is elegant and poised, led by fruit notes akin to the nose, before coal, chocolate, mocha and subtle graphite. A vein of sinewy mocha tannins frames it all up and carries to good length along with fresh blackberry acidity. Elegance, detail and

length. A lovely example. Drink now–2030 Bleasdale The Reed Patch Vineyard Malbec Malbec 2022

G 92

Blackberry, old leather, clove and dark plum make for a dark aromatic profile, with game in support. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry and dark plum at the fore again with some clove and game in the background. Chalky tannins constrict the fruit into linearity with juicy acidity in tow to a fresh blackberry finish. There’s nice cool fruit and elegance here, with ample structure providing frame and shape. Drink now–2028 Bleasdale The Mullianna Vineyard Malbec Malbec 2022 G 92 Reserved and spice-led aromatics. Black pepper, clove, and game meat sit above blackberry and dusty earth. Attractive savouriness aromatically. The palate holds notes akin to the nose, though with fruit at the fore and the savoury notes beneath. A good lick of structure to finish. Another Malbec of elegance and structure in this Bleasdale range, with a good savoury appeal aromatically. Drink now–2028

230

The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

231

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