SA Wine Guide 2025

Head Wines Old Vine Grenache 2023

John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz 2022

G 96

G 96

Deep crimson. Lovely pure blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with espresso/ marzipan notes. Deeply concentrated and classically structured with superb blackberry, praline flavours, slinky firm tannins and well integrated roasted coffee, marzipan notes. Finishes claret-like with a tang of acidity. Drink now–2036 Langmeil The Fifth Wave Grenache 2022 G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Intense musky plum, violet aromas with some roasted hazelnut notes. Slinky and animated wine with lovely musky red plum, red cherry, sweet strawberry glacé notes and well balanced chalky textures. Finishes crunchy, hint peppery and pure. Super wine with seductive pure red berry fruits, sinuous textures and impressive mineral length. 14.8% alc Drink now–2027 Paulmara Estates Aristotle Shiraz 2020 G 96 Deep crimson. Classical dark chocolate, blackberry aromas with marzipan, vanilla notes. Supple and chocolaty with blackberry, dark cherry, praline, mocha flavours and persistent velvety/chalky tannins. Builds up claret firm with some roasted chestnut walnut notes. Richly flavoured, voluminous and fresh with attractive density and flow. Should develop very well. Drink now–2040 14.5% alc Paulmara Estates Areti Marananga Shiraz 2021 G 96 Opaque colour with pure blackberry pastilles, choc blackberry and earthy spices with a rich vein of toasted coconut/vanilla oak. Richly textured and flavoured cocoa, roasted meat and crushed spice flavours with firm layered tannins to finish. Drink 2028–2040 Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2022 G 96 Deep crimson. Fresh blackberry dark chocolate marzipan aromas with geosmine/ graphite notes. Dense velvety wine with dark blackberry, dark chocolate, vanilla, marzipan favours and plentiful fine chocolaty / al dente tannins. Some liquorice at the finish. A beautifully concentrated wine with superb density and torque. Still needs time to integrate but a stylish vintage. 14.5% alc Drink 2026–2036 Sons of Eden Freya Eden Valley Riesling Riesling 2024 G 96 Masterfully put together wine with joyful aromas of native bush florals and lemon- saline powders, superbly balanced flavours and acidity, all singing from the same song sheet and lingering with a finely tapered finish. A complete and assured statement of variety and region. Drink now–2034

Vine age here is over 70 years, with the Riebke vineyard at Ebenezer planted back in 1950. There is also 3% (a dollop) of Mataro from Nuriootpa, not quite as old, planted in 1965. The oak used here is a mix of large French and Austrian. Stunning stuff and fabulous value. 200 dozen. A crimson/magenta hue, the nose is a mix of strawberries, florals, raspberries, milk chocolate and coffee grinds. The wine offers impressive intensity and is wonderfully seductive with silky tannins and great length. This is a brilliant Grenache and can be enjoyed for at least a decade, likely longer. Drink now–2034 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz 2019 G 96 Medium crimson. Intense and expressive blackberry, brambly, dark chocolate aromas with graphite, herb garden nuances. Inky deep blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha, roasted chestnut chinotto flavours, lovely sinuous chocolaty textures, attractive volume and fresh well-balanced acidity. Bitter-sweet, touch ferruginous at the finish with aniseed notes. Generous, supple and chocolaty. A classical Barossa style with a hint of Eden Valley sage. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. 14.5% alc Drink now–2034 Henschke Keyneton Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2021 G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Pure dark cherry, hint marzipan aromas with aniseed, herb garden notes. Minerally and loose-knit in structure with pure cherry, blackberry pastille fruits, fine chalky/graphite textures, lovely mid-palate volume and fresh quartz acidity. Supple lacy finish with vanilla marzipan notes. The soupçon of new oak gives an extra level of complexity. Really delicious and satisfying wine. 63% Shiraz, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. 18 months’ maturation in 11% new and 89% seasoned oak hogsheads (82% French, 18% American). 14.5% alc Drink now–2034 Hobbs of Barossa Ranges Gregor Shiraz 2021 G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Lovely raspberry, dark plum aromas with roasted chestnut, malt, espresso notes. Beautifully balanced wine with ample raspberry confit, dark plum fruits, plentiful fine grainy tannins, superb mid-palate volume and well- balanced malt, roasted coffee, vanilla nuances. Liquorice at the finish. 15.4% alc Drink now–2034 John Duval Wines Eligo Shiraz 2020 G 96 Deep crimson. Lovely praline, blackberry aromas with hints of marzipan/vanilla/ roasted hazelnut aromas. Luxuriant pure black cherry, blackberry, cocoa, espresso flavours, fine integrated slinky textures and lovely mid-palate volume/buoyancy. Bittersweet finish lengthens the palate. Suave and classic. 14.5% alc Drink now–2036

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

79

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