SA Wine Guide 2025

Thistledown Wines Thorny Devil Grenache 2023

Paxton Sangiovese 2023

G 90

Rosehip, goji berry and raspberry leaf tea. A hint of paprika and sumac spice with lingering perilla leaf. An avalanche of mouth-watering acidity and gritty tannins. The wine captures the intensity of Sangiovese, albeit with a personality all its own. This might benefit from a slight chill to combat the thirst-quenching nature. Drink now Ponting the Pinnacle Shiraz 2022 G 90 Raspberries in syrup, spearmint and cedar. Carob and espresso, some dark cherries too. Sappy and velvety tannins with some red fruit sweetness on the finish. This is polished, and a slurp of cola oak. It’s giving a lot upfront, and for your dollar. If you love those richly weighted Shiraz numbers, you’ll love this. Drink now–2026 SC Pannell Basso Garnacha 2022 G 90 Basso is the bottling of a low sulphur, unfiltered Grenache. Wild boysenberry meets prune plums and Christmas cake. A hint of rose leaf, sandalwood and wet clay. Electric acidity and fine dusty tannins, this is full of vigour and juicy as all get out. It’s child-like in its freshness and reminds me of simpler times and merriment in drinking wine outdoors with friends. FUN. Drink now Silent Noise MF Grenache 2024 G 90 The clear glass of this wine has you entranced by magenta hues alone., let alone the bedazzling artwork that frames Silent Noise’s bottlings. Whole bunches topped with whole berries, it’s clear this is going for the fresh and zesty style of carbonic maceration. Black raspberries, cherry cordial concentrate and red apple skin. There is smoky paprika and stewed rhubarb, quite ripe, with a touch of prickly heat. Easy-going tannins and crunchy acidity. It’s a style that could easily be chilled and enjoyed outdoors. A picnic wine, if ever I saw one. Drink now Silent Noise Heaven House Party #2 Syrah 2023 G 90 It’s a whole bunch house party, and it’s kickin’! Bleeding pomegranates, raspberry compote and Szechuan peppercorns. The vibe is juicy-fruited, flirty and smiles all round. Tannins are powdery, and acidity thrills. It’s easy going in and packs a punch of blueberries and Shirley Temple-like cordial notes. Pairs well with the music

Steeped blackberry tea, blueberries and blackcurrant. A hint of cassis. Kalamata olive and wild thyme. Long thorough line of acidity and taut skin tannins. Light to medium modified. A wine for consumption. Zingy, lithe and utterly drinkable. This verges on the smashable, maybe chilled and drunk with merriment. Drink now Ulithorne Epoch Rosé 2024 G 90 Water pink hues in the glass. Pickled ginger, galangal and redcurrant. Wild strawberries with lime zest. A stream of vibrant acidity and seamless flow of tangerine and kumquat. Pink peppercorn and lychee. Dry and succulent, delicate and fine. Drink now Varney Wines Entrada Rosé Grenache 2024 G 90 The palest cotton candy pink in the glass. Watermelon rind, white strawberry and grapefruit. Orchard apples and cut peaches. A slip of lemon juice and jasmine tea. This is on the crunchy, linear side of Rosé; close your eyes and it’s a fresh zingy white wine with the pretty aromas of a spring morning. Bone dry and made for fun. Drink now–2025 Wirra Wirra Flower Vineyard Grenache 2023 G 90 Redcurrants on the vine, morello cherry and leaf litter. A touch of blue fruit and shiso leaf. Tannins are dry and astringent with a backbone of cassia bark and cumin. Lively and fresh with significant leafy notes that suggest a herbal edge to the wine. Its thirst-quenching acidity gives the wine a flirty side. Drink now Yangarra Circle Collection Rosé 2024 G 90 A blend of varieties with the highest proportion being Mourvèdre at 38%. Watermelon rind, radish and cranberry juice. The wine has a bergamot aroma, with citrus also being taken from the orange family. A Campari-like bitterness complemented by a true dry finish. This screams Mediterranean food, clean and drizzled with olive oil. Drink now Yangarra Circle Collection Grenache Blanc 2024 G 90 An alluring mix of green pear skin, orchard apples and spring herbs. Dill, sage and celery heart. A lemon pith citrus core that leans to green tea tannins and raw camel nut creaminess. This sits in the camp of those Austrian food-friendly varieties – white pepper abounds. Intriguing; hard to stop thinking about the possible delights of wine pairings. Drink now

turned up. Drink now Sister’s Run St Ann’s Grenache 2021

G 90

Rhubarb stem, wet leaves and pomegranate seeds. Fig hearts and persimmon. Fruit looks ripe and fresher on the palate with the bitter tones of liquorice root, chinchona bark and espresso. This is moving into its second skin with cinnamon quill, white pepper and maple spice. Drink now

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

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