SA Wine Guide 2025

The Pawn Wine Co El Desperado Rosé Sangiovese Tempranillo 2024

G 91

Pale pink orange. Fresh and bright aromas of strawberry, musk stick, and watermelon straight off, with glimmers of tangerine and blood orange in support. The palate is dry and refreshing, with notes akin to the nose, sitting within a slippery texture before being wrapped up in a vein of lovely, firm powdery tannins. This is all about freshness and drinkability, but with lovely textural grip adding dimension and shape. Drink now–2026 Watkins Grenache Grenache 2022 G 91 Baking spices, raspberry, rose, red liquorice, and subtle leather define the aromas. There’s more pop to the palate, with ripe raspberry, raspberry jam, and red liquorice bursting through the mouth with an underpinning of subtle pepper spice. Some firm chalky tannins frame the finish with red-fruited acidity cleansing the mouth. This is bright and fruit-forward, but with good structure in support. Drink now–2026 Watkins Shiraz Shiraz 2021 G 91 Blackberry, mulberry, new leather and olive tapenade lead the aromas, followed by savoury black pepper spice to add interest. The palate is fruit-forward with blackberry and mulberry again, with the tapenade notes in tow before firm, stacked tannins wrap it all up and draw it to good length with some leather and spice notes in tow. There’s a nice fruit, brown spice and savoury mix here, with ample structure to carry it. Drink now–2029 Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec Malbec 2023 G 90 Lifted plum and cherry fruit at the fore with some bramble and violet to follow and a glimmer of spice in tow. The palate is fruit-led also, with notes matching the nose and a soft juicy profile gliding through the mouth. Gentle bramble tannins frame a gamey finish. Easy drinking here, with fresh fruit and varietal definition. Drink now–2025 Gipsie Jack Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 90 Fresh squeezed lemon juice and guava leap out of the glass, followed by passionfruit and kumquat in a tensile and clean aromatic profile. The palate is taut and linear, with lemon juice leading the charge ahead of notes akin to the nose before a citrus rind-infused finish. This is by no means complex, but there’s thirst-slaking appeal. Drink now–2025

Langhorne Creek

234

The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

235

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