SA Wine Guide 2025

Catlin Wines Parsons Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2023

Almondcart Grenache Gris 2022

G 92

G 92

Lemon with a coral hue. A beguiling nose, honeydew, bees wax, honeysuckle, almond nougat and an interesting hint of rancio. Acid and viscosity are simpatico, showing surprising vitality despite the time in oak. Citrus fruit and macadamia are bedfellows in what is an enjoyable hedonistic wine. Drink now–2026 Anvers Kingsway Estate Grown Chardonnay 2022 G 92 Bright lemon. Intense nose on the riper spectrum, white nectarine, peach, praline and pistachio gelato. Plush and ripe, abundant in late picked stone fruits, pistachio nougat held by a powdery grip. Lovely varietal purity made in a generous style that will appeal to the masses. Long and luscious. Drink now–2026 Anvers Barbera Barbera 2022 G 92 Dark blue to black berry, brick dust, anise and black salt-liquorice, heaps to grab initial interest, with neatly proportioned styling to follow, good flavours and balanced structurals making this a satisfying drink which will benefit any Mediterranean and Italian fare. 14% alc Drink now–2030 Artwine The Real Thing Albariño 2024 G 92 Clear straw hued. Exotically perfumed, apricot, tangerine, marmalade and ocean spray. Acid meets fruit weight in a complementary yin and yang. Citrus fruits are together carried by a wave of salivating salinity. A curio, here is a wine that will capture the attention of its drinker. Drink now–2026 Basket Range Wine Hills Chardonnay Chardonnay 2023 G 92 Fruit from two vineyards in the Piccadilly and Balhannah districts, crafted in a light and delicate style, focused on a citrus zest influence to the regional white stone fruit characters that are the core flavour note. A touch of grapefruit juice as well. There’s a 10% new oak regime with battonage in the winemaking, which gives the wine the lightest textural weight. Very easy to pour again and again. 12.4% alc Drink now–2028 Catlin #4 Blanc de Traminer Gewürztraminer Pinot Blanc 2022 G 92 Golden amber hue. A cathartic nose, European garden aromas – lavender, bouquet garni, fruit orchid, olive oil and hints of nuttiness. Multi-dimensional wine – layers of spice, florals, lemon balm, stone fruit and olive oil (extra virgin). Here is a tactile wine of wonderful balance kept youthful by a linear line of acid. Bold winemaking. Drink now–2026

Lenswood district grown. Cherry and Aperol colour, with aromas in the same zone, good sweet fruits with a subtle bitter tweak, generous in the palate, fruit allowed its head with underlying acidity, and nicely grounded tannins as a final foundational support. Individual characters worth noting. 13% alc Drink now–2030 Charlotte Dalton Wines Love Me Love You Shiraz Shiraz 2023 G 92 A lovely bright, fresh style, a note of orange skin in the approach, a faint char that morphs into mid-dark chocolate, with an ease and joy in the palate, juicy, lip smacking, bang-on medium bodied with the lightest of tannin squeezes to hold it in stead. Mighty good company. 13.5% alc Drink now–2029 Cobbs Hill Estate Pioneer Pinot Noir 2023 G 92 Light crimson. A lifted prettiness to the nose, strawberry, red apple and pomegranate with hints of spearmint and pink peppercorn. Ripeness with bounce – red fruits take centre stage, cinnamon and vanilla bean the support act. With an attractive panna cotta suppleness to the wine, its structure also like the Italian dessert, not compromised by softness. Impossible to stop at just one glass. Drink now–2028 Cooke Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 G 92 Medium-deep crimson. An enthralling savoury nose: sundried tomato, bay leaf, juniper berry, balsamic glaze and a touch of mint. Sweet fruit line travelling through the inherent savouriness. Plush and ripe with slinky tannins and a grounded finish. A wine of interest and intrigue. Drink now–2028 CRFT The Schmidt Vineyard Mencia 2023 G 92 Deep ruby. Lifted boysenberry, acai, cherry cola, pomegranate with a whiff of spearmint and amaro botanics. An inherent earthiness to this wine, wild berries, tree bark, and tilled soil met with the peppery bite of fresh rocket. Across the palate, the flavours cascade long and slow, rippling against its fine-grained tannins. A wine to unapologetically pour a second glass. Drink now–2026 First Drop Vivo Arneis 2023 G 92 Clear almost translucent. Softy perfumed, Jonathon apples, ripe pear, wet stone with a faint hint of citrus blossom and sweet fennel. An interesting dichotomy between nose and a palate; together; the flavours fruit sweetness and acid drive a powerful force. Pleasant phenolic grip adds to the texture, as the wine finishes powdery and fresh. Drink now–2026

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

39

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