Stonehaven Stepping Stone Rosé Mourvèdre 2024
Wangolina Tempranillo Tempranillo 2023
G 92
G 92
Pale salmon pink colour. Clean and pure aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and lemon juice rise from the glass, before deeper notes of white peach and pear. It’s bright, pretty and fresh. The palate has nice concentration, with the emphasis on lemon and white peach with watermelon and strawberry not far behind. Racy acidity and fine but grippy tannins frame the finish to good length. This is utterly thirst-slaking and crying out for summer. Drink now–2025 Stonehaven Limited Vineyard Release Chardonnay Chardonnay 2024 G 92 Rich aromas of toast, lemon butter, vanilla and subtle flint lead the charge, before air unlocks shortcrust pastry, a saline note, and nectarine. The palate is textural, rich and opulent, with toast and cedar oak making way for Meyer lemon, butter, preserved lemon and nectarine. Some good phenolic structure brings grip through the finish, along with lemon rind acid to an attractively bitter close. There’s an ‘old school’ opulence about this, but it’s kept in balance. For those into this style, $30 is a good get. Drink now–2026 Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache Rosé Grenache 2023 G 92 Bright salmon pink. Watermelon, dehydrated strawberry, and a twang of blood orange on the nose. The palate is fresh and bright, with watermelon at the fore again, followed by tangerine peel, strawberry and lemon. The finish is fresh and pure. There’s lovely thirst-slaking appeal here, and great value for money. Drink now–2025 Wangolina Pinot Gris Pinot Gris 2024 G 92 Pale gold colour. Lifted nashi pear, pear tart, yellow apple, cinnamon bun. Lovely vibrancy and defined aromas melding fruit and spice to a tee. The palate follows suit with intense but even fruit weight. Pear and apple at the fore followed by a suggestion of ginger and some rosehip in the mouth perfume. Lots to like here. It’s varietal and fresh, and packed with character. Drink now Wangolina Lagrein Lagrein 2023 G 92 Interesting, savoury and slightly wild aromas here, with dried and cured meat making way for beetroot, oregano and choc mint. The palate is quite juicy with mulberry and plum at the fore, followed by earthy beetroot and dried herbs before firm, grainy chocolate tannins and black-fruited acid frame it all up. This is dark, savoury, earthy and structured, making for a wine packed with interest. Drink now–2027
Lifted and sweet pops of red and black cherry, cherry blossom, raspberry and red plum lead the way with baking spices beneath and some rosemary to follow. The palate is equally bright and lifted with fruit notes akin to the nose, rosemary again, and a line of chalky tannins to wrap it all up. Vibrancy and brightness define this wine, with good structure adding dimension. Drink now–2026 Byrne Vineyards Riesling Riesling 2023 G 91 Candied lime, lemon blossom, melon and jasmine on the nose in a sweet and citrusy aromatic profile. The palate is fresh and taut. Lemon juice, lemon pith and jasmine are linear in the mouth with a lick of residual sugar bound up in pithy acidity to a fresh finish. It’s not hugely concentrated, but there’s a mineral feel, lovely line, and refreshing drinkability on show here. Good drinking at $20. Drink now–2027 Cape Jaffa Wines Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 91 Lemongrass, lemon peel, wet stone make way for green apple skin, green mango and guava in a cool and restrained aromatic presence. The palate holds notes of the same, though led by guava and green mango and within a subtly creamy texture. There’s a good bite of grippy preserved lemon bitterness through the finish before waves of citrusy acidity freshen it all up. There’s lovely varietal character here, kept within a fresh and linear expression. Drink now–2025 Jip Jip Rocks Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2024 G 91 Lemon pith, lemon rind, guava and grapefruit zest first off, before sweeter touches of citrus blossom emerge with air. The palate holds a good burst of lemon rind at the fore, along with grapefruit pith, subtle guava again and pineapple husk. Quite a grippy finish, with preserved lemon acidity cleansing the mouth. There’s interest and shape to this wine, which is a win at $25. Drink now–2026 Norfolk Rise Merlot Merlot 2022 G 91 Roast lamb fat makes way for red plum, rosemary, anise and Christmas cake in a soft aromatic profile. Some savoury oak in the background. The palate holds vibrant plum, vanilla, rosemary and Christmas cake again before a pithy acid-led finish with fine tannins in support. Medium to long length. There’s a lot of wine here for $22. Drink now–2027
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
249
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