Wangolina Seasons Miksi Garganega, Verdicchio, Ribolla Gialla ‘and others’ 2023
Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache Blanc Grenache Blanc, Zibibbo, Chardonnay 2024
G 94
G 93
An oceanic aromatic profile kicks things off with salted lemon, pink grapefruit, oyster shell and sea spray leading the charge. Air and temperature see it fill out a little with whispers of stone fruits and white almond. The palate is textural, more open-knit, with white peach, citrus blossom, Meyer lemon, and oyster shell again before an assertive, pithy acid line wraps it up and draws length to a saline and almond-tinged close. Loads of interest here, with saline and textural appeal. Drink now–2026 Wangolina Fiano Fiano 2024 G 94 Lifted notes of pear, pineapple, green apple, citrus blossom and brine, with some fennel and almond beneath adding savouriness. The palate has lovely fruit power and drive with pineapple at the fore again, followed by white peach, orange rind and almond. Saline acid pulls line and length to a bitter almond close. This has power and flesh, but also freshness and verve. Drink now–2026 Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz Shiraz 2022 G 93 Blackberry, baking spices and coal lead the aromas ahead of ground coffee, cedar and tilled earth. The palate is sweet-fruited, full-bodied and sapid, with a coating of blackberry, cocoa, dark chocolate and nutmeg and some earthy notes in support. There’s big structure here, with stacked, grainy espresso tannins making way for a wash of black-fruited acid. A powerful and full-fruited wine that calls out for food. Great value at $25. Drink 2026–2030
Sweet pops of honeysuckle and orange blossom lead the nose in a pretty opening, with lemon balm and lemon pith beneath. The palate is tensile with lovely bitterness and line. Preserved lemon and orange blossom run linear through the mouth, with the floral notes in the mouth perfume and a lemon-zest finish. Great value here. Drink now–2025 Wangolina The Originals Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2023 G 93 Lychee sits above preserved lemon first up, followed by spiced pear, lemongrass, custard apple and a whisper of ginger. There’s lovely depth and harmony to the aromas which only blossom more with air and temperature unlocking mango skin and gentle passionfruit. The palate keeps all of this in check within a textural though taut and tensile feel. Lemon juice, lemongrass, ginger, pineapple husk, and mango skin sit above a subtle substratum of cedar oak. Great acid drive here, bringing waves of saliva-inducing, lemon zest acidity to a fresh and long finish. Excellent complexity, balance and value on display. Drink now–2025 Wangolina The Originals Syrah Syrah 2023 G 93 Restrained white pepper spice makes for an immediately inviting opening before an unfurling of blackberry, mulberry, subtle menthol, salted plum and savoury cedar oak. The palate is vibrant and bright with an upfront sluice of plum, blackberry and dark cherry with the menthol and pepper notes in support before a sheath of chalky tannins frames it up and pulls it long. A bright, balanced and expressive Syrah at an excellent price. Drink now–2027 Wangolina Carménère Carménère 2022 G 93 Deep-set notes of mulberry, plum and nutmeg in an aromatic profile of restraint and layered-ness, followed by dried herbs, a saline umami element, and ripe red rose. The palate has a similarly even and restrained feel. Dark cherry and plum sit above white pepper and nutmeg spice before being framed within ductile coffee ground tannins and black-fruited acidity to good length. Some dried herbs in the mouth perfume. This is a balanced and classy example, and for $30 at that. Drink now–2027 Wangolina Moscato Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 2024 G 93 It’s so refreshing (pardon the pun) to see an Australian Moscato with care and consideration. The result is an expression of definition, character, and gentle structure. The nose is all orange blossom, lemon sherbet, Meyer lemon, cinnamon apple, and lemon zest. The palate is bright and moreish with lemon sherbet, lemonade, citrus florals, and orange pith with a fine line of chalkiness adding important shape and textural dimension through a fresh citrusy finish. Utterly delicious, and a steal at $22. Drink now–2025
Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz Cabernet Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
G 93
Delicate aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, and cedar lift from the glass, followed by camphor, black olive, earth and subtle brown spice. The palate has a good punch of juicy mulberry fruit at the fore, supported by dark plum, ground coffee, and a dark chocolate edge before ribbons of mocha-laced tannins provide shape and carry to good length. There’s solid complexity, fruit weight and structure here given the sub
$30 price point. Drink now–2029 Morambro Creek Chardonnay Chardonnay 2022
G 93
Lifted flint melds nicely with white peach, candied lime, yellow apple and vanilla in an impactful aromatic profile. The palate walks a nice line of freshness and weight, with notes of lemon butter, lemon rind, yellow apple, and white peach. The oak is present but integrated, while the finish is architectural with good phenolic structure and a burst of pithy acidity drawing length. There’s a lot to this wine, but it all works in balance. Nicely done. Drink now–2028
244
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
245
Powered by FlippingBook