Pewsey Vale The Contours Museum Reserve Riesling 2017
Rieslingfreak No. 12 Flaxman Valley Riesling 2024
G 95
G 95
The Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling offers a developed (in some cases, developing) Riesling with all of the glories that entails at a ridiculously cheap price. Take advantage. A pale straw colour here, the nose gives hints of lemon butter on toast. This is supported by notes of spices and herbs, lime sherbet, florals and grapefruit pith. There is some early and intriguing complexity already on display. Bright acidity, drive, focus, balance and impressive length, this is a cracking Riesling which has some maturity, but the capacity for much more. Another 10 to 15 years at least. Drink now–2039 Poonawatta The Cuttings Shiraz 2021 G 95 Of all the Poonawatta wines I have encountered, this is the absolute standout for me, which is no surprise given it comes from such a stellar year. From a tiny vineyard, just 0.8 hectares, which was planted almost 50 years ago. A purple magenta colour, the wine is exuberant, generous, approachable and utterly delicious. We have notes of cassis, mulberries, spices, mocha, dark chocolate and plums. There is richness here, but all is in balance. Abundant tannins and exceptional length, this is terrific drinking now but will continue to provide pleasure for at least a decade. Drink now–2034 Poonawatta 1858 Grenache 2022 G 95 Medium-deep crimson. Brooding aromas of musky plum, Campari, strawberry, aniseed with hints of violets and tilled earth. Smooth and silky, ample red berry fruits, raspberry pastille, Campari flavours with an attractive mid-palate richness and underlying fresh bittersweet lacy tannins. Very well integrated acidity and a most pleasant crunchy/chalky textural combination on the finish. A lovely wine. Drink now–2032 14.5% alc Poonawatta The 1880 Shiraz 2019 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense cherry liqueur, mocha, marzipan aromas with a hint of bush garrigue. Opulent wine with plush luxuriant dark cherry liqueur, blackberry pastille fruits, chocolaty firm tannins, abundant mid-palate volume and well-matched roasted almond, marzipan, mocha oak. Finishes chocolaty with hints of liquorice. The acidity, alcohol and tannins all work together to animate the fruit. Impressive, but drink within the next five years, or see how it goes. Drink now–2030? 15% alc Poonawatta The Cuttings Shiraz 2019 G 95 Inky crimson. Forward blueberry jam, blackberry confit bouquet, hints of dark chocolate and liquorice. Big, rich and full-bodied. Excellent intensity and depth, offering concentration and freshness. Finishes long. Drink now–2029 14.5% alc
Pale colour. Beautifully aromatic kumquat, lemon zest, pine-lime, elderflower cordial and bath salts. Perfectly pitched acidity, both mouth-watering and linear in direction, lemon, lime, kiwi fruit and lemongrass with a slate minerality on the finish. A wine with astounding composure, length and drive. Touch of bottle age will see its full potential. Drink 2026–2040 Rieslingfreak No. 4 Eden Valley Riesling 2024 G 95 Pale colour. A stunning nose, lifted perfume of lime curd, green apple, pear, musky, honeysuckle and a hint of rose. Fresh and sapid, with lemon sherbet, lime, passionfruit and a fine, loose-knit chalky texture. Sublime balance, texture and an indelible line of acidity. A beautiful expression of Eden Valley grace. 11.5% alc Drink now–2034 Schubert Estate The Lone Goose Shiraz Viognier 2018 G 95 Deep crimson. Choco-berry stone fruit aromas with lifted aniseed notes. Generously concentrated and densely packed wine with plentiful blackberry, apricot, praline flavours, chocolaty firm tannins and well integrated acidity. Buoyant and expressive. Delicious wine. 14.5% alc Drink now–2032 Schwarz Wine Co. The Schiller Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep crimson. Lifted dark chocolate, cedar dark berry aromas with smoky notes. Generously concentrated and inky deep with fresh blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, panforte flavours, fine chewy textures and long fresh acidity. Very good volume density and torque. 14.6% alc Drink 2025–2036 Seppeltsfield The Northing Shiraz 2022 G 95 Deep Crimson. Fresh and intense dark chocolate, blackberry, hint graphite aromas with roasted chestnut wax polish notes. Richly concentrated wine with abundant dark cherry, blackberry, mulberry fruits, fine gravelly textures and well balanced savoury oak notes. Beautifully balanced with lovely vigour and richness of flavour. From Seppeltsfield C Block Vineyard. 14.8% alc Drink now–2040 Seppeltsfield The Westing Shiraz 2022 G 95 Deep crimson. Blackberry mocha brambly aromas with graphite/roasted chestnut notes. Well-balanced wine with plentiful dark cherry, dark chocolate/chinotto flavours, lovely loose-knit firm hint grippy tannins and some marzipan notes. Finishes slinky and minerally. An excellent foil to the more plush Northing Shiraz. From Seppeltsfield V Block Vineyard. Drink now–2038
90
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
91
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