Winestate Magazine March April 2022

regional tasting Brockenchack Wines CHARDONNAY Kurtz Family GRENACHE Z Wine [ROHRLACH] On Point Single Vineyards Uncle Survivor Vine Vineyard Eden 4 TASTED Tony's Barossa 13 TASTED Barossa Valley Valley Barossa 2 AWARDED Valley Mataro 2018 8 AWARDED Grenache 2020 Pinot Grigio 2021 HHHH 95pts HHHH 94pts HHHH 94pts Two excellent examples. Spicy richness to the Drink young! A strong Inviting lifted licorice-like Lifted quince and One “new” style nose with lovely flavours class until you get to the aromas. Palate has a pear-like fruit aromas chardonnay and one in the blackcurrant older wines. “We are lovely core of varietal that is echoed on the classic. Both nicely spectrum. Good tannins finally treating grenache fruit with complex layers soft creamy palate, balanced and showing and lingering finish. $35 with respect,” said one of flavours. $120 some sweetness but in good winemaking craft judge. “A great future Kurtz Family balance. $20 at a great price. Haan Estate for this style grown in Vineyards Gatt Accent Eden Prestige Barossa this region.” Unwooded Barossa Valley Pinot Gris Bethany Valley Merlot 2018 Valley Grenache 2019 HHHH 94pts First Village Barossa HHHH 94pts Z Wine [AUGUST] 2021 HHH1/2 93pts Subtle nose but great Chardonnay 2021 Rich savoury aromas Old Vine Barossa Perfumed and spicy showing varietal HHHH1/2 96pts with dense red fruit Valley Grenache on the nose – juicy expression. Lively line Fresh uncomplicated flavours, silky tannins, a 2021 HHHH1/2 and flavoursome in of acid on the lemon/ style with aromas of good line of acid with a 97pts the mouth with chalky lime palate, some stonefruit and toasty hint of sweetness. $50 Vibrant purple wine tannins. $22 savouriness. $19.90 oak. Beautifully pristine with a savoury nose; Bethany First Village Corryton Burge Kith varietal palate with Paulmara Estates all earthy and licorice- Barossa Valley Barossa Pinot Gris powerful acid and Cellar Reserve like and a pretty red Grenache 2020 2021 HHH 90pts lingering finish. Drink Barossa Sangiovese fruit palate with a nice HHH 91pts Reserved fruit nose now style. $25 2020 HHH 91pts savoury note and sweet Spicy oak fragrances with a savoury edge and Aromatic lift of plum/ fruit underneath. $35 and a sweet oak driven uncomplicated creamy Berton Vineyards dark cherry and spicy palate with good varietal pear/apple palate. $NA High Eden oak with a savoury Krondorf Founders characters. $32 Reillys White Chardonnay 2019 palate. $40 View Barossa Kurtz Family Frontignac 2021 HHHH 94pts Grenache 2020 Vineyards Charlie's HHH 90pts An old school peaches ROSÉ HHHH1/2 96pts Barossa Valley Musky spicy lychee and cream style with Spicy raspberry bouquet Grenache 2019 bouquet and fresh musk/ delicate stewed fruit 1 TASTED with menthol nuances HHH 91pts ginger spice palate. Great nose. Subtle use of oak 1 AWARDED and generous red fruit Dark ripe plum example. $25 and good line of acid. $22 flavours with a hint of bouquet, rich juicy fruit Yalumba The A nice off dry crowd charry oak, licorice notes flavours and good acid Virgilius Eden Valley OTHER RED pleaser! and good acid/tannin backbone. $35 Viognier 2018 VARIETALS & balance. $26 Corryton Burge Kith HHH 90pts BLENDS Hemera Estate Barossa Grenache Ageing spicy apricot Barossa Valley Kalleske Old Vine 2020 HHH 90pts fruit nose and generous 6 TASTED Grenache Rosé 2021 Barossa Valley A riper style with upfront tropical/apricot 3 AWARDED HHH 91pts Grenache 2020 earthy/savoury aromas flavours. $50 Pale pink wine with a HHHH 94pts and strong upfront The best wines here rose petal nose. Simple, Lifted blackcurrant nose tannins. $28 showed good varietal warm and creamy in the with aged fruit flavours, characters and balanced mouth. $22 hints of cola and spicy tannins. characters and obvious oak. $50 JUDGES Darren Harvey Brock Harrison Stuart Blackwell Winemaker at Redheads Wines, Sparkling and full-bodied Formerly senior Barossa. He spent 15 years working white winemaker for winemaker / brand as a hotel manager in Australia, the Pernod Ricard Wines. ambassador for St UK and America while also travelling Has been a judge at Hallet Wines and through Europe. After coming home the Royal Adelaide still consults for the to Adelaide, Darren completed a and associate judge at company. Over 30 degree in viticulture and oenology at the Royal Melbourne, years experience in Adelaide Uni. Previous experience Canberra International winemaking. Has at Nepenthe Wines, Haselgrove and Riesling Challenge and previously judged in Pernod Ricard winemakers. Has Barossa and Adelaide the Adelaide wine also vintaged in Bordeaux and along Hills wine shows. show and Chair of the the west coast of America and Barossa wine show. British Columbia. March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 51

B AROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY GRENACHE Cat Amongst the Mixed By DJ Deadly Krondorf Gatt Barossa Valley BLENDS Pigeons Barossa Turntable Barossa Founders View Cabernet Sauvignon G.S.M. 2020 Valley Grenache Barossa Cabernet 2019 HHH 91pts 7 TASTED HHHH1/2 96pts Mataro Shiraz 2019 Sauvignon 2020 Nose of cassis and 7 AWARDED Restrained aromas of HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 97pts chocolate with an oak Excellent flight of spices, menthol and A ripe oak driven blend Nose is a subtle driven palate and upfront wines. Grenache is a red fruits with a fresh, with a mix of both complexity of cassis, tannins. $60 great blending option upfront, raspberry-like sweet and sour fruit plums and chocolate. with shiraz and mataro. flavour profile and good characters. $25 The palate offers a Haan Estate “Most here showed ripe tannin drive. A good density of blueberry/ Wilhelmus Barossa fruit and appropriate oak food wine. $21 CABERNET & ripe plum flavours, Valley Cabernet levels without having BLENDS grippy tannins and Sauvignon Merlot hot alcohol – a tribute Hemera Estate tobacco oak. $26 Cabernet Franc to the growers and Barossa Valley 12 TASTED Malbec Petit Verdot winemakers.” G.S.M. 2020 11 AWARDED Hemera Estate 2018 HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts A very solid class with Estate Barossa “A real crowd pleaser!” Barossa Boy Little Good colour, shy nose warmer years offering Valley Cabernet Lots of juicy fruit, spicy Tacker Barossa and nicely structured density of rich fruit Sauvignon 2019 and silky tannins. $50 G.S.M. 2018 palate rich with varietal characters. “Great to HHHH 95pts HHHHH 98pts fruit and a good tannic see a lack of green A jubey fruit and licorice Gatt High Eden Eden A lovely, lifted nose – finish. $35 fruit characters with nose with raisined fruit Valley Cabernet smells like black forest Z Wine [ROMAN) winemakers looking flavours, silky tannins Sauvignon 2018 cake! Good drive of Old Vine Barossa for flavour and vibrancy and a long lingering HHH 91pts aged savoury red fruit Valley Grenache along with complexity,” finish. $35 Lifted chocolaty fruit flavours on the nicely Shiraz Mataro 2021 said one judge. fragrances. Firm in the balanced palate with HHH1/2 93pts Kurtz Family mouth with good tannin upfront tannins and a “A very smart wine!” Corryton Burge Vineyards Boundary structure. $60 lingering finish. $30 It is a complexity Brigadier Barossa Row Barossa Moppa Hills of licorice, spices, Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Shiraz Yalumba The Vineyard Single raspberries and cherries. 2018 HHHHH 98pts 2019 HHHH 94pts Signature Barossa Vineyard Barossa Good tannins. $40 Lovely deep red wine Plum/blueberry Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Grenache Monteperle Wines with currant-like aromas bouquet with a Shiraz 2016 HHH Shiraz 2018 Barossa Valley and some olive/menthol- menthol lift and dense 91pts HHHH1/2 97pts G.S.M. 2018 like characters adding dark fruit palate with Blackberry bouquet with A dark red, weighty, ripe HHH1/2 93pts complexity. Vibrant good tannin structure a minty edge and quite a fruit style with purples Oak driven blend with palate rich with fruit and and long finish. $28 tannic palate with more highlights. Quite savoury attractive fruit – shiraz grainy tannins. $45 mintiness. $65 and earthy with lovely being dominant – and Welland Old Hands silky-smooth tannins and nice chalky tannins. $65 Barossa Cabernet SHIRAZ & a “pretty” finish. $26 Sauvignon 2019 BLENDS HHHH 94pts 2020/2019 Dense dark fruit fragrances with a leafy 31 TASTED edge and a warm and 23 AWARDED generous cassis palate with strong tannins. A mixed group with a Time! $70 few producers pushing the fruit ripeness or Linke Barossa VBBAEULSYUTSE oak levels to the limit. Valley Cabernet However, at the better Sauvignon 2019 end the big Barossa HHH1/2 92pts style works when the Ripe black fruit nose oak, fruit and acid are in with a savoury hint, balance. “It is interesting dark fruit flavours and to see a change in style some secondary notes. for the region from less $20 ball-busters to more fruit forward accessible Brockenchack wines,” noted one Wines Miss Bronte judge. “There is more Single Vineyard diversity than before, Eden Valley Barossa but the region still Cabernet Sauvignon produces flavour across 2018 HHH1/2 92pts the board.” Obvious fruit nose with subtle oak. Silky smooth in the mouth with generous fruit flavours. $28 52 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

regional tasting Cat Amongst the Z Wine [PLOWMAN) Kalleske Greenock Kurtz Family SHIRAZ & Pigeons Fat Cat Dry Grown Barossa Barossa Valley Vineyards Seven BLENDS Barossa Shiraz 2020 Valley Shiraz 2019 Shiraz 2020 Sleepers Barossa 2018 & OLDER HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHH1/2 92pts Valley Shiraz 2019 Traditional spicy plum Nose is a complexity of Premature secondary HHH 91pts 22 TASTED varietal nose and a good blue/black fruit, spicy characters developing Subtle blueberry and 13 AWARDED drive, persistence and oak and a perfumed on the nose with oak licorice fragrances and overall balance of rich lift. Stalky whole bunch dominating the ripe fruit good upfront fruit and The judges found too spicy plum flavours complexity to the palate. $45 tannins. $35 many forward oak supported by some palate with good tannin Two Towns Barossa driven wines amongst lively acidity. $29 structure. $120 Valley Shiraz 2019 James Busby this group. “Oak does Paulmara Estates Krondorf Founders HHH1/2 92pts 'Vineyard Series' not equal fruit weight,” Marananga Barossa View Barossa Shiraz Ruby red wine with Barossa Valley said one judge. “Some Shiraz 2020 2020 HHHH 94pts purple highlights. Shiraz 2019 were over oaked, had HHHH1/2 97pts Dense licorice and Mocha/oak aromas and HHH 91pts too much new oak Slightly greener style blackberry fruit aromas “pretty” silky smooth Inviting sweet vanilla for the level of fruit of shiraz. Vibrant cassis and flavours, some palate. $22 nose with raisined fruit involved or showed bouquet with olive notes spices and oak in a Berton Vineyards characters to the solid excess alcohol.” and a lovely even flow of supporting role. Good Bonsai High Eden palate. $40 On a positive note, blue/black fruit flavours potential. $26 Shiraz Cabernet there were also many across the palate. Good Gumpara Victor's 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Gumpara Mader worthy examples here tannins. $30 Old Vine Barossa Lifted blue fruit/spicy oak Reserve Barossa with good structure, Kurtz Family Valley Shiraz 2019 bouquet and good fruit Valley Shiraz 2019 freshness and silky Vineyards Boundary HHHH 94pts flavours, obvious oak and HHH 91pts tannins showing both Row Barossa Slight briary green tight tannins. $40 Dark and inky on the good grape growing and Valley Shiraz 2019 characters to the nose Kalleske Eduard nose with a good tannin winemaking reflective of HHHH1/2 96pts but the palate is rich Barossa Valley structure to the lean a strong 2018 vintage. Very lifted aromas of with dense dark fruit and Shiraz 2019 stewed fruit palate. $60 Some of the older wines blueberries and plums sweet oak. $32 HHH1/2 92pts from 2016 were also with a menthol note and Bethany Blue Quarry Old school style of shiraz Bethany GR Reserve holding up well, showing rich blackcurrant fruit Barossa Valley with dense blackcurrant Barossa Valley primary fruit characters palate with a tight tannin Shiraz 2019 HHHH fruit, balancing oak and Shiraz 2019 HHH and depth of flavour structure and lingering 94pts grippy tannins. $90 91pts with further cellaring finish. $28 Solid wine with good Tempus Two Blackberry bouquet with potential. varietal character. Hints Pewter Barossa brooding forest floor and Corryton Burge of caramel on the nose Valley Shiraz 2020 sweet oak characters on Moppa Hills Percival Norman and an uncomplicated HHH 91pts the palate. $125 Vineyard Premium Barossa Shiraz 2019 oaky palate. $45 Jubey black fruit nose Single Vineyard HHHH1/2 96pts Reillys Moonvine and palate with silky HEAD The Brunette Barossa Valley A density of plums, Greenock Reserve tannins and good level Barossa Shiraz 2020 Shiraz 2018 blueberries, spices and Shiraz 2019 HHHH of acid. $45 HHH 90pts HHHH1/2 97pts cloves lift off the nose 94pts Welland Valley Spicy blue fruit Deep crimson wine with and fill the mouth with Dried fruit characters on & Valley Barossa bouquet and quite stewed fruit fragrances rich flavours. Judicious the nose and luscious Shiraz 2019 an oaky palate with and a palate rich with use of oak and excellent fruit on a warm palate. HHH 91pts upfront tannins. $69 chocolaty fruit flavours tannins. $45 Good tannin structure. Tarry/cola aromas with layered with velvety Will age well. $65 an attractive simple Linke Barossa VBBAEULSYUTSE smooth tannins. $33 Tempus Two Copper lightweight sweet fruit Valley Shiraz Barossa Valley palate. $30 2019 HHH 90pts Reillys Moonvine Shiraz 2019 HHH1/2 A straightforward Shiraz 2018 93pts wine of sweet dark HHHH1/2 96pts Typical Barossa nose of fruit, chocolate and Lifted blueberry and spicy plums with good supporting oak. $20 plum fragrances edged integration of oak, fruit with forest floor-like and tannins on palate. $25 Basedows of characters. Dark and Barossa Barossa brooding spicy fruit Valley Shiraz 2019 flavours with lovely HHH 90pts plush tannins. $40 Raisined characters to the nose and warm ageing fruit palate with lingering finish. $30 March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 53

B AROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY Berton Vineyards Limited Release Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 HHH 91pts Big, ripe and dense with dark raisined fruit, a firm oak edge and good tannins. $25 Gatt High Eden Eden Valley Shiraz 2018 HHH 90pts Slight herbal edge to the subdued nose. Palate is lean and simple with lovely fruit. $60 Haan Estate Haan Estate Classic Corryton Burge Kith Barossa Boy SWEET Prestige Barossa Barossa Valley Barossa Shiraz 2018 Lifeblood Barossa WHITES Valley Shiraz 2018 Shiraz Viognier HHHH 94pts Shiraz 2017 HHHH1/2 96pts 2018 HHHH 94pts Lean, sweet HHHH 94pts 1 TASTED Lifted dark fruit aromas, Pungent savoury uncomplicated crimson Dense blackcurrant nose 1 AWARDED quite savoury with bouquet; hints of wine with rich slightly with a leathery edge and earthy notes and lovely spiced apricots. Bright stewed fruit characters an oak driven palate, A really great example concentration of sweet fruit flavours, silky and smooth tannins. $28 some raisined fruit and of a lovely late harvest dark fruit flavours, soft tannins and a warming Reillys Moonvine good tannins. $80 style here. tannins and a warm finish. $21 Barossa Valley Tempus Two Pewter finish. $50 Reillys Moonvine Shiraz 2017 Barossa Valley Gatt Barossa Yalumba The Greenock Reserve HHHH 94pts Shiraz 2016 Valley Late Harvest Octavius Old Vine Barossa Valley Plenty of spicy oak HHHH 94pts Semillon 2009 Barossa Shiraz 2016 Shiraz 2018 here but you can still A lovely traditional style HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts see the mulberry-like of dense dark fruit, Orange marmalade-like Dense brooding crimson It is all dark fruit and fruit through it. It has some nice spiciness and aromas with typical wine: all cassis and dark chocolate with an chewy tannins and velvety smooth tannin kero-like aged notes. cherries with hints abundance of oak and tight acidity. $40 structure. $60 Generous upfront of forest floor-like drying tannins and black candied fruit flavours elements and a meaty olive characters on the on quite a short but edge all supported by finish. $65 weighty palate. $25 good tannin structure. $150 Tempus Two Pewter Barossa Valley Shiraz 2012 HHH1/2 92pts Dense spicy fruit cake- like characters, vibrant acid and chunky mouth- coating tannins. $60 AFOGR IYFOTU GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION! Do you know someone who would love Winestate Magazine as much as you do? Call us today on +61 8 8357 9277 or visit www.winestate.com.au 54 AD_WiWnesItaNte EGifSt STubAQTPHENDM15a.inrdcdh/A1 pril 2022 7/09/2015 11:56:21 AM

regional tasting HOW WE JUDGE WINESTATE MAGAZINE TASTING CRITERIA OUR STAR RATING SYSTEM Our tastings and published ratings are designed with one thing in mind: to provide a useful and genuine balanced guide on wines to our readers. In order to achieve this we follow certain procedures in an activity that is notoriously difficult! There are regular criticisms of wine shows and various scoring systems; here is how we approach our tastings. A wide selection of wines unpleasant flavours. These final ‘medals’ to advertise if they wish, their awarded are then converted into a star rating wine’s review will be featured regardless Wines are invited from any producer, system for publication in Winestate. A of advertising. The judges’ decisions are provided that they meet the criteria gold means 5 stars or 4½ stars, silver is final and these are published according of the class being judged. The class 4, and bronze is 3 or 3½ stars. to the judges’ scores, whether advertising may be a regional, style or new release is taken or not. tasting and generally the wines must be The biggest judging system available for consumers to purchase, The judges although we have museum and rare Winestate examines on average more wine tastings as well. Australasian wines per year than We take care in selecting our judges. any other forum - more than 10,000. But remember: judges are human and Awarding scores Compare this to the biggest show in their own preference will influence Australia, the royal Melbourne wine their scores. We use judges with Winestate carries out the judging show, with just over 4000 entries. complementary backgrounds and a using Australian capital city wine show three-person panel for each flight will procedures; the wines are not known Independence of advertising include winemakers with technical to the judges. The three expert judges expertise and often a marketing/retail taste the wines blind and assign a score Winestate does charge a nominal expert who knows consumer tastes. without reference to each other. Once entrance fee for wines submitted which Often one or more of the judges are this is done, only then do they compare covers our administration costs only, and Masters of Wine with vast international scores, and if there is dissension they will often purchase ‘yardstick’ wines to be experience, and most judges have re-taste the wines and come to an evaluated where we believe that these experience at major Australian wine agreement. Scores are compiled using are of consumer or trade interest if these shows. We are also aware of expertise. the 20-point international system: gold have not been entered by the wineries. If we are judging a region, for example, is 18 and above; silver is 17 and above In order to produce the biggest and we will have a winemaker judge from and is an excellent wine; bronze is best wine magazine, Winestate includes that region because that person knows 15.5 and above and represents good advertising; however, this is fiercely the local style. We balance that with wine. A reasonable, sound everyday- independent of any wine tasting editorial a judge from outside the region and drinking wine scores 15 (but does not and we do not sell wines we judge. generally someone with broad and gain a medal). A bland but clean wine Wine companies are advised of the mature experience. scores 14. Below this score there are blind tasting results and it is their choice HOW WE COMPARE Winestate Rating Comment Wine show Medal International 20 100 Point System Point System HHHHH Outstanding Gold 18.5 - 20 98 - 100 HHHH1/2 Excellent Gold 96 - 97 Very Good Silver 18 - 18.4 94 - 95 HHHH High Bronze 92 - 93 HHH1/2 Good/Very Good Bronze 17 - 17.9 90 - 91 Good HHH 16.5 - 16.9 15.5 - 16.4 Wine judging is an inexact art, not a science - even at the highest levels of proficiency. Accordingly, Winestate judges using the star rating system which reflects a range, rather than a specific point score. However, in the interests of the trade and our readers, we have also added points scores that reflect a comparative result. March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 55

99 TASTED 84 AWARDED C H A R D O N N AY & B L E N D S This is the clay moulding variety where winemaker's skill comes to Buller RLB Victoria the fore. Of course you need the quality fruit to start with but of all Chardonnay 2020 the other varieties chardonnay is mere putty in the hands of a great HHHH 94pts winemaker. Check these out! Light oaky aromas with a hint of lemon. Nice complexity to the palate with good balance between fruit, oak and acid. $17 CHARDONNAY McGuigan Cellar Trentham Estate UNDER $25 Select Tumbarumba Grown Murray Chardonnay 2019 Darling Chardonnay 23 TASTED HHHHH 98pts 2020 HHHH 94pts 14 AWARDED The vibrant fruit nose A well-rounded leaps out of the glass stonefruit/oak wine with A mixed bag as and is laced with toasty nicely focussed acidity expected. Half the oak. The flavoursome and great mouthfeel. wines didn’t make the palate is rich, long, “Very more-ish,” grade, but those that did complex and toasty enthused one judge. were well made. “The with plenty of acid in $18 2021 wines are showing support. $22 more muted flavours Gapsted Wines High Sidewood Estate and the 2020 and 2019 Country King Valley Adelaide Hills wines had the addition Chardonnay 2021 Chardonnay 2020 of phenolic flavours HHHH 94pts HHHH 94pts from those low cropping A good wine with A very linear wine years,” said one judge. pleasant citrus freshness showing stylish “Those who managed mixing with nut and restraint. Lifted aromatic the balance performed peach characters. Some floral fragrances and a best.” complexity starting to pretty palate with racy develop. $20 acidity. $24 Preece Yarra Valley Fox Creek Adelaide Chardonnay 2019 Hills Chardonnay HHHH1/2 96pts 2021 HHHH 94pts Toasty honeyed aromas Ripe buttery bouquet with some toffee and nice concentration touches and developed of tropical and melon toasty flavours with fruit flavours with a nectarine-like fruit warm lick of oak and characters threaded zesty acidity. $23 through on a weighty palate. $20 JUDGES Steve Warrick James Evers Courtney Christie Wine marketer with Senior Winemaker, National sales manager 20 years experience Nepenthe Wines and at Radoux Australia Oak in McLaren Vale, Australian Vintage (SA Cooperage. Has vintaged Coonawarra, Adelaide Premiums for 11 years). in Portugal, Spain and Hills and Margaret Previously winemaker Italy. Previous experience River. Extensive wine at Mildara, Coonawarra at Rockford, Elderton judging experience at and Glendonbrook and and Kangarilla Road. the Adelaide, Hobart and Rothbury in the Hunter Associate judge at the McLaren Vale wine shows. Valley. Swan Valley wine show. Eleven years as owner of Flying Fish Cafe. 56 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

varietal tasting Pete's Pure Murray Taylors Wines Gapsted Wines Taylors Wines Taylor Tomich Woodside Darling Chardonnay Promised Land Ballerina Canopy Made Adelaide Hills Vineyard Adelaide 2021 HHH1/2 93pts South Australia King Valley Chardonnay 2021 Hills Chardonnay A toasty mix of nut and Chardonnay 2021 Chardonnay 2019 HHHH 94pts 2019 HHHH 94pts stonefruit aromas and HHH 90pts HHHHH 98pts Upfront fruit fragrances Delicate aromas with flavours with good use Easy drinking, well made An attractive fragrant with some complexity developed honeysuckle- of oak and balancing and simple wine. Fresh lift of orchard fruits and developing. A like characters mixing acidity. $14.99 lemon nose and a great savoury oak and a rich seamlessly balanced with the fruit on the long flavour profile. $16 and intense complexity palate with the lot; some lingering palate. $25 Hill-Smith Estate of roasted nuts, nice phenolics. $25 Cockfighter's Ghost Eden Valley Taylors Wines Estate nectarines and citrus Taylors Wines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 Padthaway Clare flavours with good acid Jaraman Clare Adelaide Hills HHH1/2 93pts Valley Chardonnay support. $25 Valley Margaret Chardonnay 2018 Interesting lifted fresh 2021 HHH 90pts Forester Estate River Chardonnay HHHH 94pts floral/apple fragrances. Melon-like aromas with Lifestyle Margaret 2020 HHHH 94pts A nicely ageing Tightly structured, some herbaceous notes. River Chardonnay A ripe orchard fruit style chardonnay showing complex, palate with Creamy in the mouth 2021 HHHH 94pts with some nuttiness. It toasty development with crunchy texture. $24 with a prickly finish. $22 A rich ripe nose of is a pretty, well balanced a complexity of ripe fruit, tropical fruit aromas. and very approachable roasted nuts and buttery Cape Jaffa VBBAEULSYUTSE Morgan Simpson Nice complexity to chardonnay. $26 elements. $25 Wines CJ Two Clowns the fleshy palate with Maxwell Adelaide Mount Gambier McLaren Vale lingering flavours of nuts Churchview Estate Hills Chardonnay Chardonnay 2021 Chardonnay 2019 and fruit. $25 Soli Margaret River 2020 HHH1/2 93pts HHH1/2 92pts HHH 90pts RedHeads Harmonie Chardonnay 2020 Bracing acid driven Bright golden wine with Oak dominated nose Rox Coonawarra HHHH 94pts wine with an attractive developed complexity with some secondary Chardonnay 2021 A nose of passionfruit fruit profile mixing with to the nose and a palate characters coming HHHH 94pts and pineapple - sweet some pleasant toasty with complexity and through on the pretty An aromatic complexity and fleshy in the mouth characters. $28 freshness. $20 palate. $20 of stonefruit and oak. with good fruit, lovely 100 Bats Oaked Good persistence of texture and warming South Australia CHARDONNAY varietal fruit flavours finish. $28 Chardonnay 2021 & BLENDS with plenty of acid. Yalumba Eden HHH1/2 92pts $25 - $30 Needs time. $25 Valley Chardonnay A peachy bouquet with a Run Free By 2020 HHHH 94pts dash of spice. The palate 24 TASTED Singlefile Toasty caramel is austere and crunchy 20 AWARDED Great Southern complexity to the nose with good oak/fruit Chardonnay 2021 with a citrus lift. Nicely balance. $25 A very consistent group. HHHH 94pts focussed varietal fruit Chain Of Ponds “Many of these have A riper style of flavours with good acid Miller's Creek been released early and chardonnay, somewhat structure. $28 Adelaide Hills are a little austere at the reserved on the nose Chardonnay 2021 moment but offer good with a zesty mix of HHH1/2 92pts ageing potential,” said tropical and orchard fruit A nicely focussed one judge. “The older flavours. $25 chardonnay with wines here were a step gentle white stonefruit up from similar wines in fragrances and a zesty the previous bracket.” fruit driven palate. $25 Audrey Wilkinson 2 Monkeys Riverina Series Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2021 Chardonnay 2019 HHH 90pts HHH1/2 92pts Peach sweetness Nose is a subtlety of to the nose and it is citrus and nectarines fleshy and ripe in the with upfront tropical fruit mouth. $6.99 flavours on the zesty palate. $25 March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 57

C H A R D O N N AY & B L E N D S Rossian Vintage RedHeads Blue CHARDONNAY Mitchelton Estate Heggies Vineyard Cowra NSW Belle Adelaide Hills $30 - $40 Single Vineyard Estate Eden Valley Chardonnay 2019 Chardonnay 2021 Nagambie Chardonnay 2018 HHH1/2 92pts HHH 90pts 25 TASTED Chardonnay 2019 HHHHH 98pts A soft and fleshy Sweet and spicy fruit 24 AWARDED HHHHH 98pts A beautifully complex chardonnay with some fragrances with subtle A lovely wine – it has style of chardonnay nice varietal fruit, nutty fruit flavours and nice A strong highly delicacy but it is all there that exhibits excellent oak, spices and a nice use of oak. $25 consistent group of – the toasty complexity, weight and length and phenolic note. $28.50 Rosabrook Wines recommended wines. depth of lemon-curd-like is a flavoursome mix of Hollick Bond Margaret River “The fruit concentration fruit, butterscotch aged tropical fruit, stone fruit, Road Coonawarra Chardonnay 2021 here is a step up from characters and floral citrus and hazelnuts. $35 Chardonnay 2020 HHH 90pts the previous class,” nuances. $30 Flowstone Margaret HHH 91pts Floral nose with nutty noted one judge. “The River Chardonnay Delicate stonefruit complexity and a long, acid line here was like 2018 HHHHH 98pts bouquet and a fleshy lean, high acid, palate. $26 the previous flight but Lovely layered phenolic palate with Byron & Harold the extra fruit depth and complex wine nice fruit pushing Chapter & Verse added to the wines that has great fruit through. $27 Great Southern complexity.” “Overall weight and elegant Chardonnay 2021 good fruit and good length. Butterscotch HHH 90pts winemaking,” said mingles with lemon A firmly structured another. pie characters and is chardonnay that is all balanced by the acid. lemon sherbet with a Some flintiness. $36 subtlety of oak. $28 Salena Estate Wines ex-PRESS- ion Riverland Chardonnay 2020 HHH 90pts A ripe and fleshy wine, sweet edged with peach- like fruit, spices and nutty complexity. $25 58 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

varietal tasting Foxeys Hangout Koonara Daisies Mornington and Dandelions Peninsula Mount Gambier Chardonnay 2020 Chardonnay 2021 HHHH 95pts HHHH 94pts Pretty floral fragrances A nice balance between with a hint of citrus, stonefruit and sweet great persistence of spices with a suggestion fleshy fruit flavours and of oak and starting a big acid backbone. $38 to show some early complexity. $35 La Villa Tasmania Sidewood Mappinga Haselgrove Staff Gilberts Estate Chardonnay 2018 Adelaide Hills Adelaide Hills Hand Picked HHHHH 98pts Chardonnay 2020 Chardonnay 2020 Mount Barker WA Another beautifully HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH 95pts Chardonnay 2020 complex chardonnay Flinty fruit fragrances An interesting and HHHH 94pts with a nose of soft with a buttery undertone elegant wine with lovely Buttery malo aromatics tropical fruit aromas and a very classy palate controlled varietal fruit and a persistent and richly flavoured that has long lingering characters mingling complexity of varietal with stonefruit, roasted and persistent flavours. perfectly with the spicy fruit flavours with acid nut and honeysuckle “Put some in the oak. $35 tending to dominate for characters. $36 cellar!” $35 now. $35 Beklyn Single Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard Adelaide Winemaker's Hills Chardonnay Selection Hunter 2021 HHHH 94pts Valley Chardonnay A well made, nicely 2019 HHHH 94pts balanced, wine with A very pleasant drink still delicate varietal fruit looking very fresh with characters, savoury ripe fruit sitting in the nuances and just a hint tropical spectrum, nice of oak. $30 line of oak and a citrus finish. $35 Charnwood Estate in Mudgee is a small player kicking big goals with its Shiraz and Merlot. As small and boutique as wineries come, Charnwood demanded everyone’s attention when its 2009 Charlie’s Row Merlot won against some higher profile wineries in the 2011 Winewise Championship. Charnwood Estate is located in the Mudgee wine region of NSW; located on a historic property just 5 minutes from the centre of Mudgee and nestled at the foot of the hills in the delightful Cudgegong Valley. At Charnwood, we specialise in red wines and are particularly proud of our Shiraz which keeps going from strength to strength. For Tastings and Sales, visit our cellar door at The Winning Post Motor Inn, 101 Church Street, Mudgee. ph: 0417 451 102 email: [email protected] www.charnwoodestate.com.au March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 59

C H A R D O N N AY & B L E N D S Rossian Reserve Moss Brothers Hickinbotham Villa Maria Reserve Villa Maria Reserve Individual Vineyard Moses Rock of Dromana Hawkes Bay NZ Barrique Fermented Cowra NSW Margaret River Mornington Chardonnay 2019 Gisborne NZ Chardonnay 2019 Chardonnay 2021 Peninsula HHHHH 98pts Chardonnay 2019 HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts Chardonnay 2017 A very complete HHHH1/2 96pts Fragrant floral bouquet A somewhat restrained HHH 91pts chardonnay showing A big grippy wine with an oak driven palate style but it is delicious, A pretty and flavoursome great length and showing great depth that shows lovely length vibrant and nicely oak driven wine with fruit complexity. It is all and complexity of of fruit flavours sitting in balanced. $32 at the riper end of the stonefruits, roasted toasty oak and ripe fruit the tropical spectrum. Cloudbreak Wines scale. $35 nuts and spices with in the tropical spectrum $38.50 Adelaide Hills an attractive mineral- with a hint of floral Cox Family Wines Chardonnay 2021 Singlefile like thread running elements. $45 Tumbarumba HHH 91pts Great Southern through. $45 Freycinet Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 Tightly wound nose Chardonnay 2021 Below & Above Tasmania HHH1/2 92pts and palate with hints of HHH 90pts Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 Reserved stonefruit varietal fruit and some A nice straightforward Pemberton HHHH 95pts aromas with a lemony bracing acidity. $35 wine with toasty peach Chardonnay 2018 A zippy fresh thread and bracing Murrumbateman aromas that follow HHHHH 98pts chardonnay that is both acidity on the palate; Winery Canberra through to the palate. $30 A pretty wine – intense elegant and powerful good fruit beneath. $30 District Chardonnay and seamlessly balanced with a mix of cashews, Wignalls Single 2021 HHH 91pts Brockenchack with slightly restrained nectarines, tropicals and Vineyard Premium A different style. Some Wines Charli Jaye floral fragrances and bracing acid. $45 Albany Chardonnay herbaceousness on the Single Vineyard nutty notes. The palate Pooles Rock 2019 HHH1/2 92pts nose and pretty floral Eden Valley Barossa is long and lingering with Premiere Hunter A reserved fruit nose flavours. $35 Chardonnay 2018 beautiful minerality. $40 Valley Chardonnay with a spicy lift and an Saddlers Creek HHH 90pts 2019 HHHH 95pts attractive zesty minerally Wines Winemakers A fresh ripeness of A well-made wine with palate with nutty Craft Hunter Valley melons and peaches a melange of citrus and complexity. $35 Chardonnay 2021 with some grippy stonefruit characters, Saddlers Creek HHH 91pts phenolics. $35 good acid freshness Wines Saddlers The nose is a richness and nice phenolic Langhorne Creek of honey blossom with CHARDONNAY crunch. $45 Chardonnay 2021 a mineral thread and $40-$50 Saddlers Creek HHH 91pts has a sweet tropical Wines Ryans Zingy citrus bouquet and palate. $35 15 TASTED Reserve Hunter very tight acid driven Windowrie Wine 14 AWARDED Valley Chardonnay palate. Has potential. Co. Family Reserve 2021 HHHH 94pts Needs time. $30 Single Vineyard Well made wines, A lovely young Cowra Chardonnay agreed the judges, with uncomplicated wine 2021 HHH 91pts fruit quality and depth that has great depth of Reserved nectarine coming in to play. peach and citrus fruit nose with herbal notes characters with plenty of and wonderful flavour Churchview Estate acidity. $40 intensity. Time! $35 The Bartondale Fromm Marlborough Margaret River Chardonnay 2019 Chardonnay 2020 HHH 91pts HHHHH 98pts A “purposeful” style! Nutty, toasty and Interesting charry buttery aromas with nose and powerful great depth of hazelnut concentration of and nectarine driven flavours. $35 NZ flavours with a long zesty finish. It has it all but it just needs time to evolve. $45 60 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

varietal tasting Mitchelton Vine to Seville Estate Yarra Saddlers Creek CHARDONNAY Seville Estate Wine Yarra Valley Valley Chardonnay Wines Maria Reserve $60+ Reserve Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2020 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Tumbarumba Hunter Chardonnay 2019 HHHH 94pts A heady citrusy nose Valley Chardonnay 6 TASTED HHHH1/2 96pts A pleasant medium with just a tinge of oak. 2017 HHHH1/2 6 AWARDED Citrus driven bouquet weight fruit driven style Lovely palate texture 96pts Some great wines here with spicy nuances. It’s with a complexity of showing retained Vibrant lifted peach-like across different regions fresh and vibrant in the figs and nectarines and elegance. $45 aromas with toasty and vintages. mouth with lovely fruit/ some zesty citrus-like elements. Palate Castelli il oak complexity and good acidity. $40 Passel Estate shows structural Liris Denmark level of acidity to ensure Passel Estate Margaret River complexity with Chardonnay 2020 a long life. $80 Margaret River Chardonnay 2018 flavours reminiscent of HHHHH 98pts Singlefile Chardonnay 2019 HHH1/2 92pts lemon curd with a hint A huge complex golden Family Reserve HHHH 94pts A wine that is pleasantly of oak. $50 yellow chardonnay with Great Southern A nicely balanced complex with an open Saddlers Creek honeyed richness on the Chardonnay 2021 wine with honeyed structure and intense Wines Alessandro nose and a long complex HHHH 94pts richness to the nose depth of rich flavours. $43 Reserve flavour profile showing Lovely intensity of green and very focussed Tumbarumba intense depth and herbaceous aromas and stonefruit/citrus flavours. Audrey Wilkinson Langhorne Creek length. Has some classy a good balance of fruit Interesting style. $43 The Oakdale Hunter Chardonnay 2021 oak. $70 and oak on the tight high Bethany Blue Valley Chardonnay HHHH 95pts Gala Estate acid palate. $60 Quarry Eden Valley 2018 HHH1/2 92pts Another tightly wound Black Label East Tomich Icons of Chardonnay 2021 Heady melon and peach wine that will need Coast Tasmania Woodside Adelaide HHH1/2 92pts aromas with herbaceous some time in the cellar Chardonnay 2018 Hills Chardonnay A closed, lean and tight notes. Palate is nicely to evolve. Lifted floral HHHHH 98pts 2019 HHHH 95pts wine that is zesty and balanced with honey aromatics and tropical Nose is a complexity of An elegantly structured bracing. A baby that sweet characters. $45 flavours. $50 nectarines and toasty wine with vibrant floral/ needs more time to Foxeys Red Lilac oak tending more to citrus fragrances and a settle. $40 CHARDONNAY Mornington tropical characters persistence of honeyed McGuigan Personal $50 - $60 Peninsula on the intense well- fruit flavours. $60 Reserve HR Hunter Chardonnay 2019 balanced palate. Shows Valley Chardonnay 6 TASTED HHHH 94pts nice nuttiness with a 2019 HHH1/2 92pts 6 AWARDED Pleasant citrus aromas lingering finish. $65 Rich ageing aromas with a spicy lift and a and persistent Similar high quality to long zingy citrus palate Gralyn Estate passionfruit characters the previous class. “A showing some tropical Reserve Margaret on the palate. It is couple here could have fruit nuances. $50 River Chardonnay drinking well now. $40 got extra points with Flowstone Queen Of 2018 HHHHH 98pts another year of ageing,” The Earth Margaret An incredibly complex said one judge. River Chardonnay wine with delightful 2018 HHHH 94pts aromas reminiscent Foxeys White Some flintiness obvious of figs, guavas and Gates Mornington on the fruity nose and peaches. Fabulous Peninsula interesting underlying length to the stonefruit/ Chardonnay 2020 nutty complexity to the peach palate with some HHHHH 98pts nectarine fruit palate. $55 herbal notes coming An elegant tightly Heggies Vineyard through. $90 wound chardonnay that Estate Reserve Eden is brimming over with Valley Chardonnay lovely varietal fruit and 2017 HHH1/2 92pts exhibits layers of toasty A very well-made wine nutty complexity. It has – still very tight with subtle aromas and a huge level of acidity pretty palate. $50 and has savoury toasty elements. $50 March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 61

MICHAEL COOPER 44 TASTED 43 RECOMMENDED MICHAEL COOPER RECENT RELEASES Sauvignon blanc, rosé and pinot gris dominated Winestate’s tasting Anchorage Family of recently released wines from New Zealand, in terms of entries. Estate Nelson However, the top-rated wines also included standout examples of Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough chardonnay, Northland sweet whites, Marlborough 2021 HHHH 95pts pinot noir and Matakana merlot. Full of youthful vigour, this Looking for something completely different? Underlining the estate-grown, medium- diversity of the country’s output, the tasting also uncovered an eye- bodied wine is aromatic, catching sangiovese from Hawke's Bay and tannat from Northland. with tropical fruit and Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available herbaceous flavours, in export markets are shown as (A) Australia; (UK) and (US). fresh, crisp and punchy. Good value. $18 (A, SAUVIGNON Greywacke te Pã The Reserve Loveblock UK, US) BLANC Marlborough Collection Seaside Marlborough Loveblock Tee Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 10 TASTED 2021 HHHHH 98pts Sauvignon Blanc 2021 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc 10 RECOMMENDED This classy wine was 2021 HHHHH 98pts 97pts 2021 HHHH 94pts grown at sites in the Estate-grown and Certified organic, this Showing strong Clos Marguerite Central Wairau Valley hand-harvested on the wine was estate- personality, this full- Marlborough and Southern Valleys, Wairau Bar, this classy grown in the lower bodied wine was estate- Sauvignon Blanc and partly fermented young wine offers Awatere Valley, and grown in the lower 2020 HHHHH 98pts with indigenous great value. Weighty partly fermented in clay Awatere Valley and This powerful wine yeasts in old oak and dry, it has deep, amphorae, oak barrels handled without sulphur, was estate-grown in barrels. Full-bodied, tropical fruit flavours, and concrete eggs. using green tea as a the Awatere Valley it is vibrantly fruity, showing excellent A distinctive wine, it natural antioxidant. Very and mostly handled in with concentrated, delicacy and vibrancy, is mouthfilling, with pale gold, it is not highly tanks; 15% of the blend ripe passionfruit/lime gentle herbal notes, very good intensity aromatic, but fleshy, was barrel-fermented. flavours, savoury notes lively acidity and a of vigorous, ripely with strong, ripe, non- Richly scented, it is adding complexity, fresh lasting finish. Best herbaceous flavours, herbaceous flavours and mouthfilling, with deep acidity and a persistent drinking mid-2022+. woven with fresh acidity, a smooth finish. Drink tropical fruit and herbal finish. $28 $25 good complexity and a young. $27 (UK) flavours, showing Walnut Block dry finish. $23 (UK) Walnut Block a distinct touch of Nutcracker Collectables complexity, and a crisp, Marlborough te Pã Marlborough dry, lasting finish. It’s Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc drinking well now. $30 2021 HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHHH 94pts Certified organic, this Showing good youthful Wairau Valley Marlborough VBBAEULSYUTSE personality, this Wairau wine was hand-picked, Sauvignon Valley is certified fermented with Blanc 2021 organic. Bright, light indigenous yeasts and HHHH1/2 96pts lemon/green, it is full- partly barrel-fermented. Highly aromatic, this bodied, with fresh, ripe, Weighty, sweet- mouthfilling, lively wine tropical fruit flavours, fruited and dry, it has has punchy, tropical crisp acidity and very concentrated, ripe, fruit flavours to the good depth. Enjoyable tropical fruit flavours, fore, a herbaceous young. $20 balanced acidity, undercurrent, appetising Torrent Bay Nelson and excellent vigour, acidity, and excellent Sauvignon Blanc complexity and depth. vigour, vibrancy and 2021 HHH1/2 93pts Best drinking mid- depth. $20 There’s no mistaking 2022+. $25 the variety! This wine has green capsicum and herb aromas and flavours, fresh, strong and direct, a slightly salty note and good vigour and length. Priced sharply. (From Anchorage.) $16 (A, UK, US) 62 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

recent releases CHARDONNAY Moutere Hills Waiparore Tutukaka OTHER SWEET Nelson Chardonnay Coast Pinot Gris WHITES WHITES 4 TASTED 2020 HHHH 94pts 2021 HHHH 94pts 4 RECOMMENDED This sturdy, youthful Showing a lot more 3 TASTED 2 TASTED wine was estate- personality than most 3 RECOMMENDED 2 RECOMMENDED te Pã The Reserve grown, hand-picked, ‘light’ pinot gris, this Collection and matured for 11 single-vineyard wine Dancing Petrel Dancing Petrel St Leonard’s months in French oak was grown at Tutukaka, Paewhenua Island Paewhenua Island Marlborough casks (15% new). in Northland, and stop- Northland Arneis Northland Late Chardonnay 2019 Mouthfilling, it has rich, fermented at 8% alc/vol. 2021 HHHH 95pts Harvest Viognier HHHHH 98pts peachy, toasty flavours, A distinctive, youthful This tightly structured, 2021 (375ml) This classy, single- threaded with fresh wine, it is vigorous, with youthful wine was hand- HHHHH 98pts vineyard wine was hand- acidity, and a tightly strong, ripe pear and picked and fermented A wine with a real picked in the Wairau structured finish. Best peach flavours, gentle with indigenous yeasts. ‘Wow!’ factor, this pink/ Valley, barrel-fermented drinking 2023+. $35 sweetness and lots of Fresh and full-bodied, it orange dessert wine (50% new oak), and drink-young appeal. $28 has very good depth of was hand-picked and bottled unfined and PINOT GRIS Anchorage Family citrusy, peachy, appley cool-fermented on its unfiltered. Bright yellow/ Estate Nelson flavours, balanced skins. Highly distinctive, green, with a fragrant, 7 TASTED Pinot Gris 2021 acidity, and a dry, it offers a flood of complex bouquet, it 7 RECOMMENDED HHH1/2 93pts lingering finish. Best peach, strawberry is mouthfilling and Enjoyable young, this drinking 2023+. $27 and spice flavours, savoury, with highly Takatu Matakana estate-grown wine deliciously sweet and concentrated, ripe Pinot Gris 2015 was tank-fermented Loveblock complex. Well worth stone-fruit flavours, HHHHH 98pts and briefly lees-aged. Marlborough discovering. $35 seasoned with biscuity Maturing superbly, Medium to full-bodied, Gewürztraminer oak, fresh acidity and a this Matakana (north it has generous, ripe, 2021 HHHH 95pts Waiparore lasting, very harmonious of Auckland) wine is a peachy, vaguely Instantly appealing, this Matthias Tutukaka finish. Outstanding lovely mouthful. Light honeyed flavours, invitingly perfumed, Coast Pinot Gris value. $35 gold, it is mouthfilling, a gentle splash of smooth wine was Strohwein 2021 Black Barn with rich stone-fruit sweetness and a estate-grown in the (375ml) HHHHH Vineyards Barrel flavours, slightly toasty, smooth finish. $18 lower Awatere Valley. 98pts Fermented Hawke's bottle-aged notes (A, UK, US) Fresh and medium- Made from dehydrated Bay Chardonnay adding complexity, finely te Pã Marlborough bodied, it is strongly grapes, this Northland 2020 HHHH1/2 balanced acidity and a Pinot Gris 2021 varietal, with lively, ‘straw wine’ is golden 97pts smooth, dry, persistent HHH1/2 93pts delicate, peachy, spicy and highly concentrated. This refined, subtle wine finish. $35 Fresh and lively, this flavours and an off-dry, It harbours only 6% was hand-picked and Takatu Matakana youthful wine was very harmonious finish. alcohol by volume, but fermented in French Pinot Gris 2017 made with some use $23 that’s not obvious, with oak casks (15% new). HHHH1/2 96pts of barrel fermentation. its lush peach, apricot Full-bodied, it has Probably at its peak, this Medium to full-bodied, it te Pã Marlborough and honey flavours, very good intensity of single-vineyard wine has good depth of ripe, Riesling 2020 lovely balance of youthful, peachy, citrusy was hand-harvested and peachy, spicy, slightly HHHH 95pts sweetness and acidity, flavours, mealy notes matured in tanks and toasty flavours, balanced Finely scented, this and rich, oily texture. adding complexity, finely barrels. Bright lemon/ acidity and an off-dry very age-worthy wine Already delicious. $68 integrated oak and fresh green, it is full-bodied finish. Best drinking is medium-bodied, with acidity. Best drinking and dry, with strong 2023+. $20 strong lemon, lime and ROSÉ 2024+. $40 peach and pear flavours, Torrent Bay Nelson peach flavours, a sliver Karikari Estate woven with fresh Pinot Gris 2021 of sweetness and a 8 TASTED Chardonnay 2020 acidity, and bottle-aged HHH 91pts crisp, lengthy finish. 7 RECOMMENDED HHHH 95pts complexity. $38 Offering very easy $20 Estate-grown in the Far Loveblock drinking, this estate- North, this powerful, Marlborough grown wine is fresh, distinctive wine was Pinot Gris 2021 medium-bodied and fermented and matured HHHH 94pts smooth, with good for 18 months in French, This attractively scented, depth of peach, pear American and Hungarian finely balanced wine and spice flavours, oak barrels. Bright, was estate-grown in the slight sweetness and light yellow/green, it is lower Awatere Valley appetising acidity. (From weighty and rounded, and partly fermented Anchorage.) $16 (A, with generous stone- in concrete eggs. UK, US) fruit and toasty oak Enjoyable young, it is a flavours, in an upfront, fresh, medium-bodied vaguely honeyed style. style, with very good Drink now or cellar. $45 depth of peach, pear and lychee flavours, a touch of complexity and a dryish finish. $23 March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 63

MICHAEL COOPER Coal Pit Central te Pã Pinot Noir PINOT NOIR te Pã Marlborough OTHER REDS Otago Pinot Noir Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 Rosé 2021 Rosé 2021 4 TASTED HHHH1/2 96pts 3 TASTED HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 97pts 4 RECOMMENDED Well worth cellaring, 3 RECOMMENDED This delightful rosé was Delicious young, this this youthful, bright hand-picked at Gibbston. bright, light pink wine te Pã The Reserve ruby red is fragrant Black Barn Bright pink, it is is fresh and full-bodied, Collection Taylor and full-bodied, with Vineyards Hawke's invitingly scented, with with very good intensity River Marlborough deep cherry and spice Bay Sangiovese mouthfilling body, gentle of vibrant strawberry Pinot Noir 2019 flavours, showing good 2020 HHHHH 98pts strawberry, watermelon and peach flavours, HHHHH 98pts complexity, and a well- This very youthful, and spice flavours, a hint a hint of apricot, and Still very youthful, this structured, harmonious single-vineyard red of apricot, and lovely a finely balanced, dry single-vineyard red finish. $35 includes a minor portion delicacy and vibrancy. finish. $20 was hand-picked in the of cabernet sauvignon Dry, with gentle acidity, Moutere Hills Omaka Valley, matured MERLOT & (10%). Full-coloured, it’s benchmark stuff. $34 Nelson Pinot Rosé in French oak barrels BLENDS it is mouthfilling, with Takatu Matakana 2021 HHHH 95pts (33% new), and bottled concentrated, ripe Merlot Cabernet Looking good for 2022, unfined and unfiltered. 3 TASTED flavours of plums Franc Rosé 2020 this bright pink, floral Deep ruby, it is invitingly 3 RECOMMENDED and spices, oak-aging HHHHH 98pts wine is a blend of scented, with fresh, complexity, fresh Showing strong pinot noir (95%) and concentrated cherry, Takatu Matakana acidity and firm tannins personality, this riesling (5%), grown plum and spice flavours, Merlot Franc Malbec beneath. A vigorous, Matakana (north of at Brightwater, on the a hint of herbs, and ripe, 2010 HHHHH 98pts savoury wine, it’s Auckland) rosé is Waimea Plains. Fresh supple tannins. Best Unfolding very gracefully, well worth cellaring to probably at its peak. and vibrantly fruity, it drinking 2024+. $50 this mature Auckland 2024+. $50 Pink hued, it is fragrant, has strong, berryish, Terra Sancta red has deep, fairly Karikari Estate fleshy and bursting with plummy flavours, Bannockburn developed colour. Karikari Peninsula peachy, strawberryish, hints of watermelon Central Otago Fragrant and full-bodied, Northland Tannat spicy flavours, smooth, and strawberries, and Pinot Noir 2020 it is deliciously savoury, HHHHH 98pts dry and lasting. $28 a fractionally off-dry HHHH1/2 97pts with concentrated, ripe, Designed for cellaring, Terra Sancta finish. $35 Offering good value, nutty flavours, revealing this densely coloured, Bannockburn Dancing Petrel this concentrated red excellent complexity. $88 purple-flushed red was Central Otago Pinot Paewhenua Island was estate-grown, Pegasus Bay Merlot matured for two years Noir Rosé 2021 Northland Rosé matured for 14 months Cabernet 2019 in French and American HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHH1/2 93pts in barriques and HHHH1/2 97pts oak casks. Still fresh Full of drink-young Made from cabernet large format oak, and From vines over 30 and lively, it is bold, charm, this rosé was franc, this light pink, full- bottled unfined and years old, this youthful with concentrated partly handled in tanks, bodied wine is not highly unfiltered. Deep ruby, North Canterbury red blackcurrant, red berry, but 60% was fermented scented, but offers very it is full-bodied, with is a blend of merlot plum and spice flavours, with indigenous yeasts good depth of peach, very youthful, dense (mostly), cabernet balanced acidity and in neutral French oak strawberry, apricot and flavours, fresh acidity, sauvignon, malbec and buried tannins. Sure to barrels. Pale pink, it is spice flavours, with a oak complexity and a cabernet franc, matured be long-lived. $45 fresh, full-bodied and touch of tannin and a firm finish. One for the for 18 months in French Waiparore Tutukaka vibrantly fruity, with dryish finish. $25 cellar. $38 oak barriques (25% Coast Single strong strawberry and Waiparore Tutukaka Main Divide new). Deeply coloured, Vineyard Scarlett peach flavours, a hint Coast Single North Canterbury it is fragrant, rich and 2020 HHHH 95pts of apricot, and a dryish, Vineyard Rosé Pinot Noir 2020 finely textured, with This distinctive seductively smooth 2021 HHH1/2 93pts HHHH1/2 96pts generous blackcurrant red is made from finish. $29 This Northland rosé was Looking for a great value and plum flavours, chambourcin, one of blended from syrah and pinot noir? Matured for savoury notes adding the more highly rated merlot. Bright, light pink, 18 months in French oak complexity, and ripe, French hybrids, well it is medium-bodied, barrels, this deep ruby, supple tannins. Best known in Muscadet. with fresh peach, very harmonious red is drinking 2023+. $33 Full-coloured, it is freshly strawberry and spice fragrant, rich and supple, Takatu Matakana aromatic, with strong, flavours, showing very with generous cherry, Merlot Franc vibrant blackcurrant, good depth, a touch plum and spice flavours, Malbec 2014 plum and spice of tannin and a dryish finely balanced oak and HHHH1/2 96pts flavours, lively acidity, finish. $26 gentle tannins. Already A drink now or cellaring considerable complexity delicious, it should be at proposition, this and supple tannins. Best its best 2023+. (From Auckland red still has drinking 2023+. $29 Pegasus Bay). $25 (A, UK) full, bright, moderately youthful colour. Fragrant and weighty, it has ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing good concentration. $48 64 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND March/April 2022 Issue 177 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 In this issue... New Releases & Best Value Buys Under $20

NEW RELEASES 109 TASTED 65 AWARDED NEW RELEASES Another nice line up of new release wines. It is always interesting Dopff Au Moulin RedHeads Wines to see the diversity within flight categories. The trick is to read the Grand Cru Harmonie Rox reviews and read between the lines to check out the wines you Schoenenbourg Coonawarra might like to try. No point in buying big flavousome wines if your Alsace Riesling 2016 Chardonnay 2021 preference is for mid weight elegant wines. Conversely no point HHH1/2 93pts HHHH1/2 95pts in buying lighter bodied wines if you like big bang for your buck A complex and Delightfully perfumed wines involving big flavours. Your call. beautifully aged wine nose with slight that shows some biscuity elements and sweetness but has great a nicely balanced, acidity to complement it. complex, palate with an $44.99 illusion of sweetness and lovely varietal fruit Quarisa 30 Mile flavours. $25 South East Riesling SPARKLING Niccolo Wines Sew & Sew Sashiko 2021 HHH 91pts Grandeur Nicolette Tranquillo Adelaide Hills Nose is super aromatic Wellington VBBAEULSYUTSE 5 TASTED Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and musky with a lively, Artisan 3 AWARDED Adelaide Hills 2021 HHHH 94pts slightly sweet, palate Adelaide Hills An interesting and Prosecco 2021 Mostly stonefruits on with acid to balance. Chardonnay 2021 diverse group. Special HHH1/2 92pts the nose with tropical $12.99 HHH1/2 92pts comment on the Gentle apricot bouquet touches. It is bright Easy drinking, style. A “contemporary” and slightly oily in the and juicy in the mouth Stonehaven balance of stonefruit and sparkling red style a mouth with faint fruit with a generous flavour Stepping Stone floral characters with welcome change from flavours and some profile. $25 Limestone Coast sweetness holding it the old school. sweetness. $23.99 Pinot Gris 2021 together. $20 Stonehaven HHH 91pts Eight At The Gate Stonehaven Stepping Stone Poised elegant wine Reschke Bull Wrattonbully Stepping Stone Limestone Coast with delicate floral and Trader Coonawarra Sparkling Shiraz NV Limestone Sauvignon Blanc pear characters. Has Chardonnay 2021 HHHH1/2 96pts Coast Sparkling 2021 HHH 91pts intensity and length. HHH1/2 92pts A brightness of plums, Chardonnay Pinot Delicate musky/floral $20 Tight and fresh with cherries and sweet Noir NV HHH 91pts fragrances with a lively citrus elements spices lift off the nose. Delicate candied ginger- refreshing apple pie-like Paulett Wines Clare showing some The palate is fresh and like aromatic nuances palate. $20 Valley Semillon complexity. Good acid fairly sweet with some with lovely complex fruit 2021 HHH 91pts balance. Lingering tannic grip and a nice flavours. $20 OTHER WHITE A riper style with finish. $25 long lingering finish. $30 VARIETALS & candied floral nose and SAUVIGNON BLENDS fresh and a lively citrus/ Stonehaven BLANC & pear flavour profile. $25 Stepping Stone BLENDS 12 TASTED Limestone Coast 6 AWARDED Paulett Wines 109 Chardonnay 2021 7 TASTED Clare Valley Riesling HHH 91pts 3 AWARDED A diverse group of both 2021 HHH 91pts More savoury in style varieties and styles. An elegant, perfumed with good varietal fruit Mixed results. Better “The best were clean bouquet and plenty characters, mineral wines were more than and well balanced of super zesty citrus elements and great just good varietals they with good varietal characters on the acidity. $20 had an added extra expression.” palate. $75 layer. Allegiance Wines Ulithorne Altus CHARDONNAY Unity Margaret River Mr Riggs Woodside Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2021 Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio 2020 7 TASTED HHH 91pts Sauvignon Blanc HHHH 95pts 5 AWARDED Brioche notes sitting on 2021 HHHH 94pts A refined, somewhat top of tropical fruit and Hints of grapefruit on savoury style with A solid flight. The melon characters with the floral nose and great some intensity of pear, judges agreed it was hints of oak tannins. $60 fruit intensity on the apple and quince-like good to see more fresh palate supporting by a characters. Good acid lively fruit and complex good acid backbone. $22 retention. $25 balanced flavours. 66 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting ROSÉ Chateau Roubine Heartland GRENACHE & Grandeur Wellington Cru Classe Premium Langhorne Creek BLENDS Artisan McLaren 7 TASTED Provence France Dolcetto 2020 Vale G.S.M. 2019 5 AWARDED Rosé 2020 HHHH 94pts 6 TASTED HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts Bright cherry nose with 5 AWARDED Blackcurrant fruit A solid group of dry Finely textured wine with a dash of black pepper A very solid group. characters mingle with styles with a couple developed savoury nose and good concentration “GSM has long the oak on the nose of nice Provence and palate and mouth- of Sarsaparilla-like cemented itself as a and palate with an examples. “The better watering acidity. $45 flavours with chalky popular blend,” said one abundance of smooth wines showed paler tannins. $25 judge. “But the straight savoury tannins. $25 colours and fresh fruit OTHER RED Allegiance Wines grenache wines are Mr Riggs The vibrancy,” noted one VARIETALS & Single Vineyard getting more consistent Magnet McLaren judge. BLENDS McLaren Vale offering sweet fruit Vale Grenache 2020 Mataro 2019 generosity without going HHH1/2 93pts Stonehaven 17 TASTED HHH1/2 92pts too far.” The wine is a generosity Stepping Stone 8 AWARDED Chewy black fruits laced of raspberries and cherry Limestone Coast with a licorice thread, Shingleback NX cola with a medicinal Rosé 2021 The blends performed some delicate perfumed GEN McLaren Vale touch and good level of HHHH1/2 96pts well along with some notes and great acid Grenache 2021 acid. $30 “Very interesting – fresh and vibrant grip. $30 HHHH 94pts Allegiance Wines playful style!” Sweet varietals. “However, Quarisa Q South A pretty sweet fruit Single Vineyard and pretty floral on a negative note the East Malbec 2021 nose with a subtle McLaren Vale fragrances with a great excess use of oak seen HHH 91pts earthiness and a Grenache 2019 core of piquant red apple in the early release Lifted blue fruits, some generous, well HHH 91pts skin-like flavours and wines created disjointed nice, sweet oak and rounded, red fruit Bold red fruit characters a zesty line of acidity. wines that have not a fine line of tannins. palate with plenty of with some chocolaty $20 been allowed to come $18.99 tannins. $25 nuances and big velvety together,” observed one Stonehaven Shanahans The smooth tannins. $30 Chateau Sainte judge. Stepping Stone Barking Dog Barossa Beatrice Cuvee Limestone Coast Valley Grenache Princes Provence Allegiance Wines Merlot 2020 Shiraz Mataro 2020 France Rosé 2020 Local Legend HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 93pts McLaren Vale Floral/cassis fruit and Aromatic compote of Pale and interesting! Mataro Graciano cedary oak coming figs, blueberries and Wild red berry nose and Shiraz 2021 together nicely and blossoms. The palate is a finely textured savoury HHHH1/2 96pts bound with good line of crunchy and juicy with palate. A great acid Delicately spiced nose acid. $20 blue fruits balanced by finish. $24 with a floral element. Claymore Wines the acid. $23 Great crunchy blue/ Blackbird Clare JUUL Hollydene black fruit palate, nicely Valley Sangiovese Estate Loaded Fox focussed acidity and 2019 HHH 91pts Upper Hunter Valley laced with silky smooth A contemporary, lean Rosé 2021 tannins. $25 blueberry fruit, style HHH1/2 92pts with some great acidity A delicate strawberry Allegiance Wines and savoury tannins. $25 and cream style with a Single Vineyard Hastwell & Lightfoot savoury thread. Creamy McLaren Vale McLaren Vale in the mouth; savoury on Graciano 2020 Cabernet Franc 2018 the finish. $24 HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts Super peppery and A rich, generous, well- Carmine's McLaren savoury on the nose structured wine with Vale Grenache Rosé showing some red fruit great varietal expression 2021 HHH 91pts characters with more and ageing nicely. $30 Generous spicy lime red fruit elements on the nose with underlying palate nicely balanced by savouriness and a sweet- some great tannins. $30 fruited palate. $22 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 67

NEW RELEASES PINOT NOIR Ulithorne Altus Jim Brand Domain Reschke Bos Bec Hardy Wines Adelaide Hills Coonawarra Coonawarra Village Green 8 TASTED Pinot Noir 2020 Cabernets 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Shiraz 4 AWARDED HHH 91pts HHHHH 98pts 2014 HHH1/2 92pts 2021 HHHH 94pts Sweet dark berry fruit The nose is elegant – Dark fruit nose with Bright aromatic A mixed bag. “A tricky characters, plenty of the palate balanced. It spices and meaty peppery fruit variety with the better oak and silky-smooth has beautiful varietal elements. Palate is rich fragrances and tasting wines showing good tannins. $27 fruit expression with with intense raisined/ of sweet plums, pinot varietal character hints of cigar box and earthy flavours. $50 Ribena and sour and not looking like CABERNET & butterscotch all well cherries wrapped in shiraz!” noted one BLENDS integrated with the Bec Hardy Wines bright acid. $22 judge. “Still hard to find tannins. $85 Pertaringa Terramore the balance though.” 15 TASTED Ulithorne Paternus Understudy McLaren Coonawarra Shiraz 9 AWARDED Coonawarra Vale Cabernet 2020 HHHH 94pts Stonehaven McLaren Vale Sauvignon 2020 Cherries on the nose Stepping Stone A strong class Cabernet Shiraz HHH 91pts and bright red fruits Limestone Coast particularly from the 2019 HHHH1/2 Jubey sweet raspberry on the generous, well Pinot Noir 2020 2019 vintage. “The 97pts fruit, loads of oak and structured, palate. HHH1/2 93pts best wines had varietal Delightful musky blue chewy tannins with Slightly tart acidity and A bright minerally character, were not fruit bouquet with good acid spine. $25 chewy tannins. $40 bouquet with forest floor swamped with oak and similar characters Mr Riggs Piebald nuances and generous were balanced and very echoed on the generous Allegiance Wines Adelaide Hills Syrah fruit flavours with good drinkable.” juicy palate. Fine line The Artisan Reserve 2020 HHH1/2 93pts acidity. $20 of tannins. “A great Coonawarra Lovely composition of Reschke Rufus The example of a claret Cabernet Sauvignon plum fruit and sweet Stumpy Gully Bull Coonawarra style.” $85 2020 HHH 91pts spices with a perfumed Vineyard Stumpy Cabernet Sauvignon Reschke Bull Finely textured wine lift and carried by the Gully Mornington 2019 HHHHH 98pts Trader Coonawarra with sweet brambly fruit tannins. $30 Peninsula Pinot Noir A super vibrant cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon characters and chewy Reschke Vitulus 2020 HHH1/2 92pts that’s poised and 2019 HHHH 94pts tannins. $60 Coonawarra Shiraz Forest floor/mushroom- crunchy with powerful Good integration of 2020 HHH1/2 92pts like aromas. Juicy in blackcurrant varietal cassis, dark chocolate SHIRAZ & Sweet Sarsaparilla-like the mouth with cherry fruit exhibiting a big and toasty elements BLENDS aromas and a complex flavours, grippy tannins spearmint-like lift and with some lovely acid 2021 - 2020 plum cake of a palate and great acid. $35 great acid/tannin and great velvety with fine lingering integration. $25 tannins. $25 16 TASTED tannins. $32 Stumpy Gully Heartland Directors 10 AWARDED Maxwell Wines Vineyard Peninsula Reschke Vitulus Cut Langhorne Eocene Ancient Panorama Coonawarra Creek Cabernet A mixed bag with lots Earth McLaren Vale Mornington Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon 2018 of early drinking 2021 Shiraz 2020 Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019 HHHHH 98pts HHHH 94pts wines. “A range of 2020 HHH1/2 92pts 2020 HHH 91pts Very intense aromas of An aromatic melange of styles ranging from the Very inviting floral nose Nose is toasty, spicy blackberries dashed with spiced plums, prunes ripe and generous fruit and good balance of fruit and earthy. Good fruit sweet spices and has a and raisins and a styles to the light and and oak on the palate influence on the palate. generosity of dark fruit/ complexity of black olive peppery ones,” said one with grippy tannins Savoury finish. $22 cola flavours with a fine and savoury leathery judge. holding it in shape. $60 tannin backbone and flavours. $37 generous acidity. $32 JUDGES Sam Watkins Ulrich Grey-Smith Jeanne Gobrait Winemaking Director at Coonawarra based Wine marketing consultant, Watkins Family Wine, freelance winemaker. including consultancy for offering contract processing Winemaker for Grey- David Ridge Italian Wines, services in the Adelaide Hills. Smith Wines. Four Living Roots Wines and Associate judge at Royal years at BRL Hardy and Paulmara Estates. Has also Adelaide, Langhorne Creek De Bortoli respectively, worked with Seppeltsfield, McLaren Vale and Clare. with time also spent in Shaw & Smith and the French Chair of the Langhorne Creek Germany, Canada and Wine Centre. Has completed Winemaking Committee. Champagne. Judge at WSET course and AWRI B.Sc Oenology, AWAC, various regional wine advanced wine assessment WSET3. course. Associate judge at shows. Adelaide wine show. 68 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Stonehaven SHIRAZ & Grandeur Wellington BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Stepping Stone BLENDS Artisan McLaren Limestone Coast 2019 & OLDER Vale Shiraz 2018 Grandeur Wellington Shiraz 2020 HHHH1/2 96pts Artisan Adelaide Hills HHH 91pts 9 TASTED Dark chocolaty fruit Chardonnay 2021 Nose is a potpourri 7 AWARDED nose and a long bold Easy drinking, style. A of roses, violets and palate with great depth balance of stonefruit and floral blackberries with an A very solid flight of and intensity of dark characters with sweetness attractive cherry palate. generous fruit wines fruit flavours with furry holding it together. $20 $20 with layered complexity. tannins. “Still looking Bec Hardy Wines Again 2019 performed amazingly fresh!” $30 Grandeur Wellington Pertaringa well along with a strong Shanahans The Phone: 08 8383 0866 Undercover McLaren 2018 vintage. Reaper Barossa Email: [email protected] Vale Shiraz 2020 Valley Shiraz 2019 Web: www.grandeurwellington.com.au HHH 91pts Mr Riggs Burnt HHH 91pts A big tannic wine Block McLaren Vale Spicy peppery mulberry $U2N0D&ER with rich dark fruits, Shiraz 2019 bouquet. Complex palate sweet spices and well- HHHHH 98pts texture with glossy fruit integrated oak. $25 A nose of blueberries running through. $60 Shingleback Davey and ripe plums with Quarisa Treasures Estate McLaren Vale nice spicy elements McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2020 and a big generous and 2018 HHH 91pts HHH 91pts seamlessly balanced An oak driven style – A very fresh, well- palate with good fruit super spicy but shows constructed and intensity, smooth plenty of mulberry fruit complex style showing tannins and bright characters. $17.99 savoury elements. $25 acidity. $50 Heartland Mr Riggs The Gaffer Langhorne Creek McLaren Vale Shiraz Heartland Directors Shiraz 2019 2020 HHH 90pts Cut Langhorne HHH 90pts A lean one-dimensional Creek Shiraz 2019 A balanced, well- peppery style of shiraz HHHH1/2 96pts structured and juicy with austere fruit Rich savoury style of style with good oak characters. $25 nose with some florals. integration and silky Carmine's Old Vine Great fruit concentration tannins. $22 McLaren Vale Shiraz on the generous palate 2021 HHH 90pts with some spicy oak and Sweet spices lift off good acidity giving the the blackcurrant nose wine freshness. $37 and has a generosity of bright juicy fruit Nightfall Wines flavours. $28 Norma Coonawarra Shiraz 2019 HHHH1/2 96pts Nose is an amalgam of figs, chocolate and dark fruits with a perfumed lift. Copious amount of fruit on the palate with plenty of oak and balanced acid and tannins. $80 (NZ $25 & UNDER) The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 69

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 te Pã Marlborough Cape Jaffa Wines Linke Barossa Valley Linke Barossa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021 CJ Mount Gambier Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Shiraz 2019 Highly aromatic, this Chardonnay 2021 Ripe black fruit nose with a A straightforward wine of mouthfilling, lively wine has Bright golden wine with savoury hint, dark fruit flavours sweet dark fruit, chocolate and punchy, tropical fruit flavours developed complexity to and some secondary notes. $20 supporting oak. $20 to the fore, a herbaceous the nose and a palate with undercurrent, appetising complexity and freshness. $20 Linke Wines Linke Wines acidity, and excellent vigour, Phone: 0407 025 363 Phone: 0407 025 363 vibrancy and depth. $20 Cape Jaffa Wines Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8768 5053 Web: www.linkewines.com.au Web: www.linkewines.com.au Te Pa Family Vineyards Ltd NZ Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 570 5192 Web: www.capejaffawines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.tepawines.com BEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND $U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. TO QUALIFY (NZ $25 & UNDER) Some wines may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others 1 Wines must have first been recommended will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal comprises the best wines currently available, from big- tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate 2 Wines from designated regional tastings Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives are eligible provided they are widely available. credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines 3 All wines must be currently available from that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much the winery, or be readily available in the more expensive cousins. marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. 70 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

on the scene VINEYARD EST. 1985 ELEVATION 890m Ph: (02) 6363 5602 Email: [email protected] Web: www.highlandheritage.com.au Killara Distillery is located on 26 acres in the heart of the Coal Valley near Richmond and offers complete a Garden to Glass experience. Started in 2016 by second generation Australian distiller Kristy Lark, to create hand craftedTasmanian spirits including Single Malt Whisky, Apothecary Gin, Tasmanian Vodka and seasonal liqueurs. Tours and tastings availableThurs-Sat and other times by appointment. Group booking, distillery school and private tastings available. Killara Distillery [email protected] 3/3 Torca Terrace Mornington VIC 3931 32 Ogilvie Lane, RichmondTAS 7025 IG: @killara_distillery Phone: +61 3 9775 5544 Mobile: +61 408 994 274 www.killaradistillery.com PH: 0405090203 www.cellar-creations.com.au Gourmet Luxury Gift Hampers for personal or corporate gifts. Looking for collaboration opportunities to boost your bottom line, we would love to hear from you. Phone: 1300 284 684 Email: [email protected] Website: www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au Reillys Wines Cellar Door & Restaurant ‘Running on cool climate Syrah’ 2396 State Highway 50 ~ RD5 ~ Hastings 4175 A proudly South Australian owned and operated winery since 1993. We specialise in producing Hawke’s Bay ~ New Zealand. premium red and white wines sourced from our Phone: 06 879 7778 ~ Email: [email protected] estate vineyards in the Clare Valley. www.trinityhill.com Phone: (08) 8843 9013 Cellar Door Wine Tasting in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels, Email: [email protected] Website: www.reillyswines.com.au everyone welcome. Open 7 days Artwine Cellar Door 72 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside SA 5244 Ph: 0400 270 584 • Email: [email protected] Cellar Door Open Daily 11am to 5pm • www.artwine.com.au We are leaders in the production of new-emerging varieties and offer you a unique seated tasting experience with varieties you may not have tried before. Magnificent views and local produce platters served daily. We look forward to welcoming you! ALPINE VALLEYS HUNTER VALLEY MARGARET RIVER SingleVineyard Small BatchWines Available online All wines available in our online store @ goldmanwines.com.au [email protected] @goldmanwines For Tastings and Sales, visit our cellar door at The Winning Post Motor Inn, 101 Church Street, Mudgee. ph: 0417 451 102 email: [email protected] www.charnwoodestate.com.au March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 71

on the scene E | [email protected] W | russellandsuitor.com.au russellandsuitorwines russellandsuitor CORNIOLA WINES Corniola Wines is nestled in the heart of the famous Yarra Valley wine region in Victoria. YAR A VALLEY Experience the smaller, family owned and operated winery and Cellar Door. We are pleased to offer you our current range of wines made from hand-picked Estate grown fruit and from selected vineyards, with the focus being to create affordable wines of premium high quality. 100 Wills Rd, Dixons Creek VIC 3775, Australia Phone: 03 5965 2393 Opening Hours: 10:30am – 5:00pm, Monday - Sunday WWW.CORNIOLAWINES.COM.AU DO YOU WANT OVER 400K PEOPLE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS? PERFECT FOR ALL: • Cellar Doors • Restaurants • Online Liquor Stores • Wine, Whisky or Gin Bars • Accommodation / Bed & Breakfast PUT YOUR BUSINESS HERE GRAND MILLESIME Contact Debra for details Australia's Burgundy Specialist. Visit our Phone: 08 85379277 website for a huge range of wine from Bourgogne to the finest Grand Crus. Email: [email protected] Well over 1000 different products always available including old vintages. • Online store • Distillery • Restaurant • WineTour Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Email: [email protected] • Bar • B&B Website: www.grandmillesime.com.au FOARGYOIFUT GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION! Do you know someone who would love Winestate Magazine as much as you do? Call us today on +61 8 8357 9277 or visit www.winestate.com.au 72 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

BAROSSA AND EDEN VALLEY La Villa Wines contact details Corryton Burge Phone: 0418 642 722 (Burge Family Wine Estates) Email: [email protected] Winestate Magazine Phone: +61 8 8563 7575 Web: www.lavillawines.com.au Annual Edition Email: [email protected] Mitchelton Wines - Nagambie Wine Web: www.corrytonburge.com Corporation (Jan/Feb) 2021-2022 Gumpara Wines Phone: 03 5736 2222 New Release Wine Awards Phone: 0419 624 559 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.mitchelton.com.au Congratulations Web: www.gumparawines.net.au Pure Wine Co. Haan Estate Phone: 08 8339 7883 Farmer & The Scientist Single Phone: 08 8562 4590 Email: [email protected] Vineyard Heathcote Fiano 2021 Email: [email protected] Web: www.purewine.co HHHHH 98pts Web: www.haanestate.com.au Sidewood Estate Pty Ltd A beautiful aromatic nose with solid Hemera Estate Phone: 08 8389 9234 influence of herbaceous/gooseberry Phone: 08 8524 4033 Email: [email protected] characters and an interesting, Email: [email protected] Web: www.sidewood.com.au perfumed palate with subtle oak and Web: www.hemeraestate.com.au Vinsense Pty Ltd juicy acidity. $27 Phone: 02 9943 0301 BEST VALUE BUYS Yalumba & Hill-Smith Family Vineyards Farmer & the Scientist Wines Cape Jaffa Wines Phone: 08 8561 3563 Phone: 0400 141 985 Phone: 08 8768 5053 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.yalumba.com Web: www.farmerandthescientist.com Web: www.capejaffawines.com.au Grandeur Wellington NEW RELEASE www.winestate.com.au Phone: 08 8383 0866 Eight at The Gate Email: [email protected] Phone: 0 400 843 126 Follow us and keep up to date with all our Web: www.grandeurwellington.com.au Email: [email protected] latest wine info, tastings and events on Linke Wines Web: www.eightatthegate.com.au facebook, twitter and instagram. Phone: 0407 025 363 Grandeur Wellington Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8383 0866 Connect on social with Winestate Web: www.linkewines.com.au Email: [email protected] Te Pa Family Vineyards Ltd NZ Web: www.grandeurwellington.com.au www.facebook.com/Winestate-Magazine Phone: +64 3 570 5192 Shingleback Wine twitter.com/winestateed Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 9919 Web: www.tepawines.com Email: [email protected] www.instagram.com/winestate/ Web: www.shingleback.com.au CHARDONNAY Beklyn NZ RECENT RELEASE Phone: 0405 189 363 Coal Pit Vineyard NZ Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 27 693 6111 Web: www.beklynwines.com Email: [email protected] Below & Above Web: www.coalpitwine.com Phone: 0414 325 195 Greywacke Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5725425 Web: www.belowandabove.com.au Email: [email protected] Churchview Estate Web: www.greywacke.com Phone: 08 9755 7200 Loveblock Vintners Ltd (NZ) Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 9 365 1471 Web: www.churchview.com.au Email: [email protected] Gapsted Wines Web: www.loveblockwine.com Phone: 03 5751 9100 Email: [email protected] WINES OF NSW Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Gallagher Wines Gralyn Estate Phone: 0412 699 830 Phone: 08 9755 6245 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.gallagherwines.com.au Web: www.gralyn.com.au Ross Hill Wines Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 02 6365 3223 Phone: 08 8323 8706 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.rosshillwines.com.au Web: www.haselgrove.com.au House of Fine Wine Phone: 02 9211 5882 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hofw.com.au March/April 2022 W I N E S TAT E 73

aftertaste ELISABETH KING FOOD TRENDS 2022 - THE FANCIFUL, THE GUESSTIMATES AND THE FACTS Streaming services like Netflix and Stan were already causing a huge uptick in the popularity of takeaway meals and the trend was intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic. TRACKING food trends of the year around Boulangerie Moderne to Cafe de l’Homme, Woolworths with readerships of 5.06 the world is a fascinating exercise in the Michelin-starred Le Grand Vefour and million and 4.59 million, respectively. Julie research. The question - could 2022 be the the Cafe de Flore. Lee, the editor-in-chief of Coles Magazine year that laksa takes off in the US - clearly has believes that Australians will continue to little relevance in Australia where the tasty The craze for plant-based foods and drinks follow the “cottage core” trend - making Malaysian soup is a supermarket staple and is a stayer worldwide and so is the age-old meals from scratch. At the other end of you can buy laksa-flavoured stock. A British interest in fermented foods and drinks. the tech spectrum, she thinks that some pundit claimed that umami will be the top Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and yogurt were of the biggest food influences and trends trend in the UK this year, which underscores godsends in the days before freezers and come from social media platforms such as how close Australia’s food links to Asia have have strongly returned to favour because TikTok and Instagram Reels. TikTok, the been for years. Even Aussie nannas don’t of their gut health benefits. I’ve recently short video sensation, still hasn’t made the have to be told about the concept of a fifth become a fan of koji paste, the Japanese top 10 most popular social media platforms basic taste, which was discovered in 1908 fermentation starter, which gives beef and in Australia but has 2.5 million users and is by Japanese chemist, Kikumae Ikeda. chicken a gamey flavour when you use it as growing rapidly says Roy Morgan. Lee says a barbeque rub. that TikTok showcases a mix of influencers Pinterest might be on the money with from celebrities to keen amateur cooks its beauty trend predictions - 81 per cent Streaming services like Netflix and Stan and Instagram has also encouraged more accurate in 2021 - but it’s hard to believe were already causing a huge uptick in the Australians to focus on home cooking ideas. some of its data mining on food. The social popularity of takeaway meals and the trend She also believes that the popularity of air media platform says it saw a 120 per cent was intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic. fryers isn’t about to wane any time soon. surge in interest for traditional Norwegian According to Roy Morgan Research, nearly recipes in 2021. I’m putting that down to the four million Australians used food delivery Sofia Levin took up the job of food reviewer success of Netflix shows from Norway such apps such as UberEats, Menulog and for Melbourne radio station 3AW in July last as Ragnarok, whose photogenic young adult Deliveroo in 2020 - up from 1.98 million in year. A champion of diversity in food, she cast found a lot of favour with their global 2018. Younger people in their 20s and 30s has appeared on SBS Food and written for counterparts. Or, maybe it was because comprise nearly 60 per cent of the total Delicious magazine and Broadsheet. Levin of the worldwide surge of interest in Viking market, with usage peaking in the 25 to believes that the Southeast Asian foods that heritage, fuelled by other popular TV series 34 age group. Lockdowns in major states many Australians love, such as Thai and such as Norsemen and Vikings, starring produced surges of 30 per cent in the use Vietnamese, will stay in the spotlight this Australia’s own Travis Fimmel. of food delivery apps in Victoria and NSW in year. She also predicts that plant-based 2021 and IbisWorld, the data tracker, reveals foods, comfort foods and nostalgia will Pinterest searches for traditional South that Australians spent $847.9 million on continue to trend strongly. Like Lee, she also African recipes also soared. Perhaps takeaways in 2021. UberEats is the market credits TikTok with a major impact on the because the Omicron variant peaked early leader, reports Roy Morgan, and predicts nation’s cooking, eating and recipe trends in the country of its origin. But I have no idea that the trend still has plenty of room to grow. and kickstarted the viral popularity of feta why searches for traditional Russian recipes pasta, pesto eggs and birria tacos. tripled, except that Vladimir Putin was top Retail sales are always the top indicator of many people’s minds. when it comes to trends. James Vercoe, Wine Making predictions about eating out is Sourcing Manager for Coles Liquor, says a tough call. We will probably see more One UK trend that has some legs that he saw a surge in more esoteric grape restaurants continuing to offer edited menus here is the current upsurge in interest in varieties, even though shiraz, cabernet, because diners have become used to them international cuisines as people continue pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay and they also curb wastage which allows to hang back with overseas travel plans. remained the big winners in terms of sales restaurants to reduce their carbon footprint. I watched both series of Emily in Paris volume. Grenache, tempranillo, sangiovese, Many new restaurants continue to open in just to get a stomachful of the locations malbec and fiano all enjoyed major growth major capital cities because they are rightly used in the French capital and the fact in Coles last year and so did sustainable, banking on people wanting to be out and that the main romantic lead, Gabriel, is a organic and biodynamic wines. about and the desire to socialise is one of chef and a lot of the action takes place in the strongest imperatives in human nature. his restaurant. There’s also plenty of other The two magazines with the highest Parisian eateries in every episode from La circulation in Australia are Coles Magazine and Fresh Ideas from supermarket rival next issue: As things are ever changing due to freight, industry challenges and vintage pressures we’ve had to juggle around a few tastings in order to still bring you a great mag! This issue sees a sampling of great wines from Western Australia, Adelaide Hills and the McLaren Vale, Fleurieu & Surrounds along with what’s new in the marketplace with our New Release tasting. 74 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2022

www.winestate.com.au SPECIAL EDITION 2014 WINESTATE VOL 37 ISSUE 7 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 11,000 tasted annually MARCH/APRIL 2016 WINESTATE VOL 39 ISSUE 2 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews MAY/JUNE 2018 WINESTATE VOL 41 ISSUE 3 BEST OF THE WEST MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS WINES OF NSW NORTH ISLAND, NZ THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE WINE OF THE YEAR AWARDS RIESlINg QUEENSlAND SAUvIgNON blANc PINOT gRIS/PINOT gRIgIO WINE oF BAROSSA ITALIAN & SPANISH CENTRAL & WESTERN VICTORIA ROSÉ CHARDONNAY MARLBOROUGH (NZ) Serious about special edition 2014 SAUVIGNON 6T9h-EPaygEe AR MAKING THE special feature BEST 150OF IT the best wines, winemakers & wine companies of the year Celebrating from australia & new zealand years! 237 PERSISTENCE &Italian Spanish pays off 176 tasted QUEENSLAND PrINT POST APPrOVED 100003663 Special Edition 2014 WINE AWARDS PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 March/April 2016 PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 May/June 2018 C O LELDEICTTI OONR S Vol 37 Issue 7 Vol 39 Issue 2 Vol 41 Issue 3 $9.95 AUS (inc GST) NEW FEATURE TASTING $12.00 AUS (inc GST) $12.00 AUS (inc GST) NZ $10.95 SGD $14.95 FRom ThE PRodUcER NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 US $14.99 gbP £8.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 EUR 9.95 China RMB100 EUR $9.95 China RMB100 EUR $9.95 HKD $120 HKD $120 INR 1000 RUB 700 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 CHF 15.00 China RMB100 CHF 15.00 BGN 25.00 plus Rosé • Chardonnay & Blends • Central & Western Victoria plus Sauvignon Blanc & Blends Riesling Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio Barossa Valley & Eden Valley • New Releases • Marlborough (NZ) plus Wines of NSW • Best of the West • McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Queensland From The Producer Best Wine Buys Under $20 Fleurieu & Surrounds • North Island (Gisborne, Auckland & Northland) NZ 266_CoverFRONT 216x297.indd 1 12/11/2014 9:49:00 PM 275_CoverFRONT_215.5x297.indd 7 18/02/2016 11:52:46 AM 289_CoverFRONT_215.5x297_FINAL.indd 1 13/04/2018 11:13:20 AM THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 10,000 tasted annually SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 WINESTATE VOL 39 ISSUE 5 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 WINESTATE VOL 33 ISSUE 5 ANNUAL 2017 WINESTATE VOL 40 ISSUE 1 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE WINESTATE’S BEST WINES OF 2016 IN REVIEW WORLD'S GREATEST SHIRAZ CHALLENGE XI SEMILLON RIVER REGIONS YARRA YALLEY & SOUTHERN VICTORIA OTAGO, NZ A Grape For World's greatest shiraz ChalleNge V seMilloN riVer regioNs Yarra YalleY & soUtherN ViCtoria haWKes BaY, Nz WORLD’S GREATEST All Reasons 780SHIRAZ CHALLENGE TASTED SPAIN’S NATIVE WHITE GRAPE VARIETY KOSHU COUNTRY Reinvention of an ancient A L L Uo fAR Elsace Japanese grape Vin2t0a1g6e Report OVER 450 TASTED 285 FASFTUanRd IOUS Featuring NEW Penfolds Grange RELEASES ANNUAL Wolf Blass Edition 2017 Bird in Hand September/October 2010 Henschke Hill of Grace Vol 33 Issue 5 Torbreck The Laird $9.95 AUS (inc GST) Pertaringa The Yeoman UK £3.95 NZ $10.95 PRINT POST APPROVED PP565001/00129 Annual 2017 PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 September/October 2016 THE NEXT PRINT POST APPROVEd PP565001/00129 Penfolds Grange Vol 40 Issue 1 Vol 39 Issue 5 FRONTIER $14 AUS (inc GST) $12.00 AUS (inc GST) Otago's Pinot Noir THE IDEALS OF AN ICON NZ $15 SGD $19 NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 Wonderland US $17.99 GBP £11.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 Home Away FROM HOME EUR 9.95 China RMB120 EUR 9.95 China RMB100 FROM DOWN-UNDER TO THE BIG US OF A HKD $150 CHF 20.00 ZAR 250 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 plus Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria River Regions The pick of the crop from over 10,000 tasted plus Brandy, Cognac & Armagnac • Semillon & Blends • Semillon & Blends Hawkes Bay (NZ) Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria • River Regions • Otago (NZ) includes: best of styles, new releases & regional reviews of 2016 278_CoverFRONT216x297_FINAL.indd 1 27/07/2016 12:48:53 PM 236_CoverFRONT216x297.indd 1 28/07/2010 1:10:26 PM AUSTRALIA & NEW take out a subscription and save!ZEALANDWINE BUYING GUIDE PLEASE SEND ME MAGAZINE FOR: SUBSCRIBE TO OUR COMPLETE PACKAGE Australia which includes hard-copy and digital versions plus full on-line access to Winestate’s web site and reviews. 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Life gets so hard and they just start to break This country was founded But there’s only so much by hard-work on the land any man or woman can take But after years of toil, Before life gets so hard our mates need a hand. and they just start to break Our world is unsettled Let’s not take for granted, and it’s taking it’s toll what our farmers provide And though our farmers are tough, It’s time to say thank you it’s breaking their soul and stand by their side. Our mates in the bush... So to all of our farmers, we can’t hear them shout. their families and friends From getting squeezed at the farm gate, We need you, we’re with you, between floods and drought it’s far from the end They’re strong and they’re proud And to my fellow aussies and they work to provide that live far from the gate They get kicked in the guts For our mates in the bush... and take it all in their stride It’s time to donate! It’s time to donate. ruralaid.org.au