Wine & Spirit Insider May June 2022

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND May/June 2022 Issue 178 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

175 TASTED 137 AWARDED NEW RELEASES Another most interesting New Releases tasting across two Bream Creek Dinny Goonan days. The winemaking skill certainly comes to the fore here Vineyard Tasmania Wines Outlier Otway especially with the so called “alternative varieties” for both red Sauvignon Blanc Hinterland Riesling and white wines. Whilst sauvignon blanc and pinot gris/grigio’s 2021 HHH1/2 92pts 2021 HHHH 94pts were a general disappointment, across the board all other A delicate and very A vibrant and interesting categories excelled with both viticulture and winemaking. Lots pretty quaffer with wine with subtle to choose from. Choose well! grassy/herbaceous layers of white fruits characters on both the and florals with a hint SPARKLING Rymill Coonawarra Watkins Riverland nose and palate. $33 of sweetness. Good Coonawarra Sparkling Moscato cellaring potential. $49 12 TASTED Sparkling Brut 2018 2021 HHH 91pts PINOT GRIS/ 7 AWARDED HHHH1/2 97pts Mild floral/citrus bouquet GRIGIO Bec Hardy Wines A mixed group of both Pungent and developed and a fresh and lively Clare Valley Riesling neutral and complex yeasty aromas with uncomplicated palate. 3 TASTED 2021 HHH 91pts wines with the better a lively and bone-dry $20 1 AWARDED A full-bodied wines showing good palate with mouth- flavoursome wine with fruit and winemaking filling tart and tangy Watkins Langhorne Just one nice drinking zesty citrus fruit, some skills. flavours. “Makes me Creek Sparkling example here. floral and fresh herbal hungry!” commented Blanc de Blancs elements. $25 Sidewood Isabella one judge. $25 2021 HHH 91pts Lapstone Estate Rose Adelaide Hills UMAMU Estate Mac Perfumed musky/floral Ringstone SEA Dinny Goonan Wines Sparkling Rosé 2015 Ann Margaret River fragrances and a pretty Pinot Grigio 2021 Single Vineyard HHHHH 98pts Sparkling 2019 palate; gentle and HHH 90pts Otway Hinterland A serious wine, pinky/ HHHH1/2 96pts sweet. $25 Smells of garden herbs Riesling 2021 bronze in colour with Yeasty herbaceous and flowers with a HHH 91pts an intense and complex complexity to the nose SAUVIGNON palate that is simple and Subdued nose with bouquet. Palate is bone with slightly green BLANC off dry. $11.99 delicate spiciness. dry with a sherbet-like notes. Soft and creamy More varietal liveliness and a delicate in the mouth. A very 8 TASTED RIESLING expression on the zingy savoury/herbal flavour satisfying drink that is 2 AWARDED fresh palate. $30 profile. $35 developing nicely. $38 7 TASTED Tenafeate Creek One The judges found too 5 AWARDED OTHER WHITE Tree Hill Sparkling many bland wines VARIETALS & Shiraz NV HHHH here. There were very Mixed group of pleasant BLENDS 94pts few faults, but judges drinking wines, the best “Sombre, serious and expected more varietal showing true varietal 10 TASTED complex – a voice from character. characters. 10 AWARDED the past,” described one judge. Rich, dark Catalina Sounds Sidney Wilcox An excellent class of chocolaty fruit with mild Marlborough Reserve South wine styles across the tannins and acidity.$30 Sauvignon Blanc Australia Riesling spectrum of varieties. Jean Geiler AOC 2021 HHH1/2 93pts 2021 HHHH 95pts “A nice range of Cremant dÁlsace A pungent varietal Fragrant floral bouquet different wines with Cremant Riesling NV bouquet and a light with honeyed/tropical many offering a good HHH 91pts minerally palate with notes and a complexity partnership with fresh A lean crisp aperitif style intense sauvignon blanc of stonefruit/citrus Asian style food,” with tight lime-like fruit flavours. $25 flavours with a long commented one judge. and some floral touches. warm finish. $25 $21.99 Bream Creek Vineyard Tasmania Riesling 2021 HHHH 95pts A very pleasant riesling with spicy lifted lemon drops of a nose and well-balanced fruit driven palate evolving nicely. $33 80 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Sidewood Estate Sidney Wilcox White Adelaide Hills Field Blend South Pinot Blanc 2021 Australia White HHHH 94pts Blend 2020 Lifted floral stonefruit HHH1/2 92pts aromas and a long “Very delicate and pure and complex palate style,” noted one judge. with lovely tangy fruit Nice minerality under flavours. “Easy to the pome/citrus fruit enjoy.” $25 characters. $25 Artwine Spanish Yalumba The Virgilius Berrigan Wines CHARDONNAY Dinny Goonan Wines Queen Reserva Eden Valley Shining Rock Otway Hinterland Single Vineyard Viognier 2019 Vineyard Adelaide 25 TASTED Chardonnay 2021 Adelaide Hills HHHH1/2 96pts Hills Gruner Veltliner 11 AWARDED HHHH1/2 96pts Albarino 2021 A rich and complex 2021 HHHH 94pts A big “energetic” HHHH1/2 97pts wine with great Honeyed toasty The judges were chardonnay. Rich nutty A long and complex balance and good marmalade nose and confused about the lack peach aromas with food wine – great cellaring potential. full-bodied palate with of fruit in some of the some funkiness and with a seafood Yeasty/citrus/floral very generous citrus wines. “If you want to a rich full flavoured platter! Herbaceous aromas and mouth- peel/pear flavours and a be un-oaked go that savoury palate, it is confectionery aromas watering floral savoury thread. $29.95 way; if you want to be fresh, lively and tight. “A and a stonefruit driven grapefruit flavours with Two Nurses oaked then you have to modern style.” $35 flavour profile with crisp acid. $50 Pyrenees Viognier have riper, vibrant fruit Taylors Wines mineral elements. $40 Briar Ridge 2020 HHHH 94pts to support the oak,” Jaraman Adelaide Inner City Stockhausen Subtle sweet melon and commented one judge. Hills Clare Valley Winemakers Signature Hunter stonefruit aromas and “Here we saw too many Chardonnay 2021 Hilltops Fiano 2021 Valley Semillon an off-dry palate with lean wines with oak not HHHH 94pts HHHH1/2 96pts 2021 HHHH1/2 gentle honeyed/toasty in balance, however the Honeysuckle nose with A crisp style that 96pts tropical fruit flavours. best wines were very nutty oak intensity. according to one judge, Aromas of capsicum, $33.95 impressive!” Attractive complexity to “Screams for seafood!” snow peas, cut grass Flavabom Field the fruity palate, great Enticing subtle apricot and honey. Palate is White South UMAMU Estate mouthfeel and lively bouquet and great both elegant and rich Australia White Margaret River acidity. $26 balance and texture at the same time with Blend 2021 Chardonnay 2018 Beresford Classic to the peachy/yeasty a very lengthy finish. HHH1/2 92pts HHHH1/2 97pts McLaren Vale palate. $32 “Super interesting food Zesty citrus nose with Elegant, stylish, super Chardonnay 2021 wine.” $35 subtle toastiness. Palate tight and restrained HHHH 94pts is fresh, simple and style. “So fresh for its A well-integrated, delicious with a long age!” Classic spicy/ seamlessly balanced, “tingling” finish. $25 stonefruit nose and very refreshingly zippy style. Cassegrain Wines attractive seamlessly Floral peach, savoury Edition Noir Hilltops balanced palate with a and herbal elements Fiano Viognier 2021 savoury finish. $60 with racy acidity. $30 HHH1/2 92pts A lovely nose of lychees and peaches with a broad tangy stonefruit/ herbal palate showing a mineral thread. $32 JUDGES - DAY 1 Natalie Cleghorn Oliver Budack Senior winemaker Restaurant supervisor at Brian Miller at Katnook Estate. Victor’s place and Varney Sales and Marketing Previously a Wines. Previously a restaurant Manager for Bendbrook winemaker with manager for Maxwell Wines. Wines. Consults to several the Yalumba Wine A certified sommelier, has Australian wineries and Co since 1998. worked in the hospitality was a member of the Associate judge at the industry for over 30 years in Export Tasting Panel of the Barossa Wine Show, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Australian Wine & Brandy Stanthorpe Small Fiji and Australia. Associate Corporation. Also, a former Winemakers and judge in the 2019 McLaren Brand Manager with Adelaide wine show. Vale wine show. Seppelt Wines and stints with Richard Hamilton Wines and Mitchelton. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 81

NEW RELEASES Inner City ROSÉ OTHER RED Berrigan Wines Winemakers Hilltops VARIETALS & Shining Rock Tumbarumba 5 TASTED BLENDS Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 5 AWARDED Adelaide Hills HHHH 94pts 5 TASTED Sangiovese 2021 An aromatic mix of A strong class of nice 5 AWARDED HHHH1/2 96pts spicy stonefruit and dry, minerally and Tarry and spicy plum oak. Creamy in the approachable wines. Very strong flight nose and a very mellow mouth, plenty of oak of wines with great cherry, plum and with attractive savoury Flavabom South intensity of flavours marzipan palate with elements. $35 Australia Rosé 2021 without being jammy. herbal notes and obvious Krinklewood HHHH1/2 96pts Well done! but balanced tannins. “It Broke Fordwich “Very easy to enjoy,” definitely needs food!” Chardonnay 2021 with floral and peppery Cassegrain Wines HHHH 94pts strawberry aromas and 3-5 $34.95 Edition Noir Orange Cool, stylish, light a balance of fruit and Merlot 2019 weight, oak driven savoury characters on PRESS + BLOOM HHHH 95pts style with some herbal the long evolving palate. McLaren Vale A classy, stylish and notes and delicate Hints of meatiness and Montepulciano 2020 elegant cool climate orange blossom-like tropical notes. $25 HHHH1/2 96pts merlot with spicy licorice characters. $36 Simple fruity and spicy aromas and herbaceous Sidewood Mappinga Rymill Coonawarra style of wine – true chocolaty flavours. $35 Adelaide Hills Coonawarra Rosé to style. Ribena and Chardonnay 2019 2021 HHHH 94pts Zonte’s Footstep mulberries lift off the HHH1/2 92pts Subtle rose petal nose Splitting Hares nose and it has a cool Spicy perfumed oak with hints of fruit. Fleurieu Tempranillo dark fruit palate. Offers nose and lean savoury Interesting palate – quite Grenache 2021 great cellaring potential. palate; oak tending to intense flavours of HHHH1/2 96pts dominate the fruit for raspberry, vanilla bean Deep purple wine 5+ $28 now. Needs time. $38 and ginger. $20 bordering on black with Cassegrain Wines dark chocolaty fruit Bec Hardy Wines White Label Dinny Goonan Wines fragrances. Palate is McLaren Vale Tumbarumba Otway Hinterland very juicy and fruity with Mourvèdre 2020 Chardonnay 2021 Rosé 2021 savoury/bacon bone HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts notes. Great food wine. A big tannic wine with Pretty spicy/peppery A pretty pink rosé – light, spicy and licorice-like nose. Palate has upfront delicate and elegant with 3-5 $30 characters on the acidity, some smokiness sweet floral fragrances nose and palate edged and a long finish. $27.95 and enticing complexity Taylors Wines Taylor with some dried herb Briar Ridge to the palate. $25 Made Limestone elements. $30 Stockhausen Signature Hunter Beresford McLaren MERLOT & Valley Chardonnay Vale Rosé 2021 BLENDS 2021 HHH 91pts HHH1/2 92pts Oak driven, old Pale pink wine with 6 TASTED fashioned, style but has delicate aromas and 5 AWARDED an abundance of lovely flavours of strawberries flavours. $35 and red currants and Another good class that Truffle Hill herbal nuances. pleasantly surprised Pemberton the judges. “Some very Chardonnay 2021 Watkins Classic nice licorice/aniseed-like HHH 91pts Langhorne Creek complexity here,” noted Lifted hazelnut and floral Rosé 2021 one judge. aromas with a classy HHH 91pts and complex savoury Confectionery musk Coast Clare Valley style palate. $45 stick of a nose and Malbec 2021 Allegiance Wines layers of fruit, herbs and HHHH1/2 96pts Levrier by Jo Irvine Unity Tumbarumba spices on the palate. Art Collection Chardonnay 2021 $20 A very savoury, complex Barossa Merlot HHH 90pts and meaty wine. Lovely A lightweight with fresh purple hues, peppery Cabernet Sauvignon cut grass characters, Cabernet Franc 2018 subtle use of oak and earthiness to the nose HHHH 95pts medium acidity. $60 and nice balance of blue fruits and black pepper Beautifully balanced wine ageing nicely giving on the flavoursome it lovely complexity. palate. 5+ $25 Smells of mince pies! Plenty of peppery fruit flavours. 5+ $35 82 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting MATARO & PRESS + BLOOM Kurtz Family Beresford Estate BLENDS Barossa Valley Vineyards McLaren Vale Mataro 2021 Unwooded Grenache 2016 4 TASTED HHHH 94pts Barossa Valley HHH1/2 92pts 4 AWARDED Attractive style – all Grenache 2021 Chocolaty nose with a bright and fresh HHHH1/2 97pts peppery lift and a mature Small but solid class of with attractive dark A big ripe wine – but not and complex, “antique wines offering loads of fruits and chocolaty/ jammy. Lovely black and shop” of a palate with flavour. molasses characters blue berry fruit bouquet big tannins. $50 adding complexity. with dark and crunchy Levrier by Jo Irvine Starrs Reach tangy fruit flavours Z Wine [RUSTICA] Art Collection Vineyard Single 5+ $28 wrapped in vibrant Barossa Valley Barossa Merlot 2018 Vineyard Riverland acidity. More joven in Grenache 2021 HHHH 94pts Mataro Durif 2021 Z Wine [RUSTICA] style. $22 HHH 91pts Ripe and earthy black HHHH1/2 96pts Barossa Valley Watkins Pilot Green herbaceous fruit fragrances and a Deep purple wine that Mataro 2020 Uncanny aromas and a big rich long chocolaty/licorice is rich, inky and complex HHHH 94pts Langhorne Creek spicy plum palate with a driven palate. Drinking with a surprisingly Both elegant and robust Grenache 2020 drying finish. $25 well now with more in it perfumed/spicy fruit with earthy/fruity aromas HHHH1/2 96pts yet. 3-5 $35 nose and flavours of and fresh red and black Deep dark red wine with Tenafeate Creek Watkins Pilot Real blueberries, aniseed and fruit flavours with silky an inviting spicy cherry One Tree Hill G.S.M. Langhorne Creek spices with good tannin smooth tannins. and dark chocolate nose 2021 HHH 91pts Merlot 2020 support. 3-5 $26 and a grippy ripe fruit/ Smells like licorice HHH1/2 93pts 5+ $28 prune-like palate with a with a big soft ripe fruit Seamlessly balanced high level of acidity. $25 palate showing peppery wine with blue fruit- Singlefile Small Tenafeate Creek complexity. $30 like characters and Batch Great Dry Grown One Tree chocolaty/black olive-like Southern Mataro Hill Grenache 2020 Beresford Classic complexity. $25 2020 HHHH 94pts HHHH 95pts McLaren Vale G.S.M. Watkins Pilot Nose is all blackcurrants Spicy leafy aromas on 2020 HHH 91pts Meritage Quartet with a violet-like lift. the nose with a sweet Tarry characters obvious Langhorne Creek Palate is big and savoury complexity of black olive on the nose followed by Merlot Blend 2020 with excellent balance and brandied cherry-like a savoury palate with HHH 91pts between acid and flavours. $30 tart acidity. $30 Deep purple minty tannins. $59 Watkins Pilot chocolaty wine with Uncanny Langhorne PINOT NOIR meaty elements and GRENACHE & Creek Grenache massive tannins. Time! BLENDS 2021 HHHH 94pts 9 TASTED A classy young varietal 7 AWARDED 5+ $25 10 TASTED with spicy dark berry 9 AWARDED bouquet and a stylish fruit Another consistent palate underscored with flight of wines here, Very big wines here nice, sweet oak. $25 more flavoursome than more in the traditional Fox Creek elegant. “Many of these style rather than the Postmaster McLaren were fruit driven, and more modern mid- Vale G.S.M. 2021 predictable rather than weight one. “Never-the- HHH1/2 93pts innovative,” said one less this was a strong A grippy young wine judge. “These wines class of impressive with dark berry and were lovely to drink but wines,” noted one judge. cherry fruit characters could have been taken supported by a good further.” tannin structure. $29 JUDGES - DAY 2 Yuan Yuan Serena Monghen Export Manager, Cellar Door & Wine Club Brian Miller Wines by Geoff Hardy. manager Sidewood wines. Sales and Marketing Masters degree in WSET level 3 graduate. Manager for Bendbrook International Wine Involved in Sidewood Wines. Consults to several Business. Focus labels and tasting notes Australian wineries and on Asian market. descriptions. was a member of the Completed WSET Export Tasting Panel of the diploma in 2021. Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation. Also, a former Brand Manager with Seppelt Wines and stints with Richard Hamilton Wines and Mitchelton. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 83

NEW RELEASES Kings Creed Schoolhouse Adelaide Hills Coonawarra Pinot Noir 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon HHH 91pts 2020 HHHH1/2 Plums and licorice 96pts on the nose with a A classy young thing balance of cranberry with aromas reminiscent and pomegranate of blackcurrants, tomato flavours. $35 leaves and tobacco. The palate has a solid Nanny Goat structure with great Vineyard Central varietal fruit and masses Otago Pinot Noir of oak. 5+ $80 2020 HHH 91pts Artwine Saint Big flavoursome oaky Wild Game Wine The Yalumba The Rymill Coonawarra Vincent Single wine; some serious blue Duke Coonawarra Signature Barossa Coonawarra Vineyard Adelaide fruits, high acidity and Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Hills Pinot Noir 2021 grippy tannins. $40 2014 HHHHH 98pts Shiraz 2018 2019 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 97pts Complex aromas with a HHHH1/2 96pts 96pts Nose is a lifted melange Nanny Goat subtlety of spicy fruits. Oaky aromas dominate Earthy fruit fragrances of beetroot, cherries, Vineyard Super The beautifully mature the spicy perfumed with some smokiness spices and oak. The Nanny Central and complex palate fruit nose and has a from the oak leading to a savoury palate is all Otago Pinot Noir offers loads of rum and beautifully evolving leafy light tannic palate full of umami with a nice 2020 HHH 91pts raisin chocolate bar-like black fruit palate with classy, sweet/minty fruit meaty complexity. A An oaky/tannic wine flavours. Still has more great use of vanillin oak flavours that finish quite great food wine. $40 with sour cherry fruit life in it yet. $26 and firm tannins. $65 savoury. $25 Sidewood Signature and olive characters ‘Abel’ Adelaide Hills adding complexity. $65 Watkins Cellar Taylors Wines Estate Gralyn Estate Pinot Noir 2021 Reserve Currency Limestone Coast Reserve Margaret HHHH 94pts Lapstone Estate Creek Cabernet Clare Valle Cabernet River Cabernet Blue fruit aromas Ringstone SEA Sauvignon 2016 Sauvignon 2020 Sauvignon 2018 laced with forest floor Pinot Noir 2021 HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts characters and has a HHH 90pts “A very impressive wine” A big impressive and A velvety smooth warm and lively savoury/ Big, soft and velvety – big, intense and stylish. brightly fresh cabernet cabernet with a meaty palate with a long for a pinot with intense Musky dark fruits lift off rich with varietal fruit, generosity of black fruits, finish. $45 cherry/chocolate the nose and follows chocolaty oak and aniseed, mint and spices Dinny Goonan Wines characters. $11.99 through to the palate minty notes with herbal and funky mushroom/ Otway Hinterland with its mouthfilling elements and a perfumed forest floor characters Pinot Noir 2021 CABERNET & flavours in the savoury lift. 3-5 $22 adding complexity. HHH1/2 93pts BLENDS spectrum. $35 Singlefile Single A Ribena-like nose and Beresford Limited Vineyard Frankland 5+ $120 big tangy fruit flavours 24 TASTED Release McLaren River Great with some sweetness, 23 AWARDED Vale Cabernet Southern Cabernet The Musician by nice spiciness and Sauvignon 2016 Sauvignon 2020 Majella Coonawarra moderate acidity. $35 Excellent quality HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Cabernet Sauvignon overall showing great Caramel-like nose with A big, soft and oaky Shiraz 2020 consistency right across hints of prunes and an wine with lovely HHHH 94pts the board. “The only outstandingly generous presence of dark A savoury tannic style issue was the very Christmas cake of cherry fruit and stewed with chocolaty/cassis young 2021 wines a palate with chalky blackcurrants, licorice nose and a lean palate made for early drinking – tannins, moderate elements seamlessly layered with dark fruits, faultless but not built for acidity and an amazingly integrated with the cigar herbs and spices. Long ageing,” said one judge. long lingering finish. $80 box oak. $39 finish. 5+ $19 “Vinocide!” suggested another. The quality of Fox Creek McLaren the older wines shows Vale Cabernet how well this variety Sauvignon 2020 ages. HHHH 94pts A big hit of chocolaty, cherry and licorice-like aromas with similar characters echoed on the well balanced, well integrated palate. $23 84 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Sidewood Beresford Estate SHIRAZ & Allegiance Wines Rymill Coonawarra Stablemate Adelaide McLaren Vale BLENDS Unity Barossa Valley Coonawarra Hills Cabernet 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021/2020 Shiraz 2020 Shiraz 2020 HHHH 94pts 2018 HHH1/2 93pts HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Nose is a mix of plums Seamlessly balanced 23 TASTED Great leathery/prune-like Elegant blackberry and cherries with a wine with great aged 23 AWARDED bouquet with a rich ripe bouquet with a richness of plum and complexity. Prune/black A very consistent group palate that has complex perfumed lift and mulberry flavours and cherry fruit characters of flavoursome wines. layers of flavour. Great young and stylish black forest floor elements with smoky oak. $50 “Most were young and varietal fruit and a very fruit palate with well- adding interest. $22 intense,” noted one long finish. Starting to age integrated soft tannins Patrick of judge. “Some were beautifully. 5+ $100 brightened up by the Taylors Wines Taylor Coonawarra soft and full and ready acid. $25 Made BDX Clare Méthode to drink now, whilst Tenafeate Creek Valley Coonawarra Cab Nouveau others were firm with Basket Press One Sidewood Estate Cabernet Merlot Coonawarra oak in balance and Tree Hill Shiraz 2020 Adelaide Hills Malbec Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon worth ageing for future HHHH1/2 97pts Shiraz 2020 Franc 2019 2021 HHH1/2 92pts development.” Young purple wine HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts Medicinal notes to the bordering on black with A very interesting cool A minty green bouquet blackcurrant nose with Haselgrove The Lear a restrained spicy oak climate shiraz with and a big bold cassis highly tannic/oaky palate McLaren Vale Shiraz bouquet and a huge medicinal black fruit driven palate with slight with balancing acid. 2020 HHHHH 98pts mulberry driven palate characters and nice green elements and a Time! 5+ $32 Velvety soft, lusciously with an equal amount earthiness underneath. long drying finish. $25 chocolaty, shiraz with of slighty smoky oak to “Love to see it in five Patrick of spicy vanilla elements on balance. 3-5 $30 years!” said one judge. Beresford Classic Coonawarra the nose and generous McLaren Vale Méthode fruit characters on the Red Hill Estate 5+ $26 Cabernet Sauvignon Cab Eucalypt palate with silky smooth Heathcote 2019 HHHH 94pts Coonawarra tannins and good level Shiraz 2021 Cape Jaffa An uncomplicated Cabernet Sauvignon of acidity. $90 HHHH1/2 96pts Wines Epic Drop varietal that is all spicy 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Flavabom Vine Dried A dark, grippy and Wrattonbully Mt blue fruits, black pepper A light and very South Australia serious wine with an Benson Shiraz 2020 and cedar oak with elegant cabernet with Shiraz 2021 abundance of beautiful HHHH1/2 96pts lovely bright acidity. $30 restrained cassis fruit, HHHHH 98pts blue fruit characters, A full-bodied wine with some vanillin oak and A very well made, very plenty of vanillin oak and plenty of sweet ripe fruit Taylors Wines obvious tannins. $32 young wine – “That is a mocha notes. Juicy in that is nicely balanced by Jaraman pleasure to drink!” The texture with a nice tannic the acid and developing Coonawarra Clare Thomson Estate bright berry bouquet grip. 3-5 $25 interesting leathery aged Valley Cabernet Toolunka South exhibits a floral/violet characters with a peppery Sauvignon 2019 Australia Cabernet lift and has a very Briar Ridge lift. 3-5 $29 HHHH 94pts “polished” sweet A cool stalky wine but Sauvignon 2021 varietal fruit palate. $25 Stockhausen Schoolhouse has a “big feel!” Prunes HHH 91pts Signature Hunter Coonawarra and herbs on the nose “A serious young wine Valley Shiraz 2021 Shiraz 2020 and nicely integrated that need time to HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts and well-balanced shine!” All blackcurrants A well-made clean green Black and inky wine palate. $34 and cedar oak. 5+ style of shiraz with a with a perfumed lift to $18 stalky/leafy bouquet that the nose and an intense follows through to the mix of fruit, spices and Bec Hardy Wines The Composer by palate and combines licorice on the palate Pertaringa Tipsy Majella Coonawarra with some lovely with a long lingering Hill McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon spiciness. 3-5 $40 finish. 3-5 $80 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 HHH 91pts 2019 HHHH 94pts A slightly stalky green Krinklewood God’s Hill Barossa Minty chocolaty nose fruit driven cabernet Broke Fordwich Valley Shiraz 2021 with a lavender lift. Dry offering good cellaring Shiraz 2021 HHHH 94pts and tannic in the mouth; potential. 5+ $25 HHHH1/2 96pts Nose of black olives nice balance of stewed A classy young thing and dark chocolate dark fruit flavours. $295 Zonte’s Footstep that is an attractive mix and a stylish, but very First Off The Rank of black and red fruits youthful, primary fruit Lapstone Estate McLaren Vale with plenty of spices, palate. “Just needs Ringstone SEA Cabernet Sauvignon chocolaty oak and a some age.” 3-5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 HHH 91pts great acid backbone $NA 2020 HHH1/2 93pts Young and firm with with a lengthy finish. A big full-bodied wine lovely bright varietal fruit Thomson Estate Old that tends to be more nicely balanced by the 3-5 $42 Pumphouse South oak. 3-5 $35 savoury than fruity and Australia Shiraz shows well-handled 2021 HHHH 94pts spicy oak. 3-5 A peppery plum $11.99 complexity to the nose and an approachable peppery cassis palate with a spicy lift and leathery notes. 3-5 $18 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 85

NEW RELEASES Allegiance Wines Lapstone Estate Haselgrove Bella Haselgrove Batch The Tiger McLaren Ringstone SEA Vigna McLaren 187 Shiraz e di Piu Vale Shiraz 2021 Shiraz 2020 Vale Shiraz 2019 South Australia HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts HHHH1/2 97pts Shiraz Grenache Gamey oaky aromas A Cherry Ripe bouquet Cool and stylish but Mourvedre 2019 and interesting with a meaty edge big in flavour with an HHH1/2 92pts smoked meat/olive-like and a palate offering a elegance of dark jubey A big brooding blend savouriness to the palate. mouthful of soft, sweet fruit fragrances and with dark chocolaty “Still a baby!” noted one fruit flavours. $11.99 velvety smooth in the aromas and a huge judge. 3-5 $25 mouth with a lively palate with a richness of Dinny Goonan Wines balance of peppery fruit fruit and oak. $25 Deadly by Peerick Single Vineyard flavours. $30 Beresford Estate Pyrenees Shiraz Otway Hinterland McLaren Vale Shiraz Merlot 2021 Shiraz 2020 Wild Game Wine The 2019 HHH1/2 92pts HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts Dame Coonawarra Developed licoricey Easy drinking bright A mature, medium Shiraz 2014 aromas with a savoury blend with spicy bodied, easy drinking HHHH1/2 96pts chocolaty palate. Nicely peppery nose and wine; a great combination A soft and gracefully maturing “old school” vibrant varietal fruit of varietal fruit and herbs. aged shiraz that is wine. $50 palate with a rose petal holding up very well. Bec Hardy Wines lift and a dash of pepper. 3-5 $32 Smells of currants and Pertaringa Yeoman $35.95 kitchen spices with a McLaren Vale Shiraz Zonte’s Footstep mature and balanced 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Allegiance Wines Chocolate Factory integration of flavours. Geoff Merrill Jacko’s Fragrant floral nose with The Artisan McLaren McLaren Vale Shiraz Amazingly fresh. $24 McLaren Vale Shiraz leathery notes and a Vale Shiraz 2021 2020 HHH 91pts Fox Creek Short 2016 HHHH 94pts big, heavy and mature HHHH 94pts Smells of plums with a Row McLaren A rum and raisin traditional style of A generous velvety richness of fruity/meaty/ Vale Shiraz 2018 chocolate bar of a wine palate. $250 smooth wine with earthy flavours following HHHH1/2 96pts – it’s rich and mature Cimicky Wines ICON subtle spiced characters. through on the palate. A stylish wine that is still with a big firm tannin Barossa Shiraz 2016 Smells of fruit cake with youthful and lively. Has a structure and a lingering HHH1/2 92pts a perfectly balanced 5+ $30 lovely balance between finish. $30 “Another old school palate. $40 the dark varietal fruit Beresford Classic wine.” Soft, rich and SHIRAZ & characters and the dusty McLaren Vale Shiraz mature with dried fruit Berrigan Wines Mt BLENDS oak. Still has plenty of 2018 HHHH 94pts characters, peppery Benson Shiraz 2020 2019 & OLDER acidity. $38 A fresh and lively notes and firm tannins. HHHH 94pts Peerick Reserve wine intense with $175 Distinctively olive-like 21 TASTED Pyrenees Shiraz sweet and spicy dark By Merrill Saint aromas and a big 17 AWARDED 2019 HHHH 94pts fruit characters with a Nic Fleurieu Shiraz generous licorice/prune A big old school style Ribena-like character to Cabernet 2019 palate. Will evolve very A class of consistent of shiraz with bold, the finish. $30 HHH 91pts nicely with some age. quality wines with dense fruit characters Zonte’s Footstep Spicy dark fruit the younger ones laced with umami-like Super Trooper fragrances and young 5+ $24.95 performing better savouriness. Ageing Fleurieu Shiraz intense palate. “Big in overall. “Some of these beautifully. $39.95 Cabernet 2019 everything, including Taylors Wines were very big in flavour, HHH1/2 93pts acid!” $25 Taylor Made Clare albeit well balanced,” A mature wine with an Watkins Cellar Valley Shiraz 2020 said one judge. abundance of purple/ Reserve McLaren HHHH 94pts “Generally, the oak use blue fruit characters Vale Shiraz 2014 Dark and spicy on the was appropriate, but balanced by the acid and HHH 91pts nose with a pleasant, a few suffered from tannins. $25 A grippy aged shiraz still nicely structured and excess tannins.” Cassegrain Wines vibrant with hints of dark what one judge called a Edition Noir Orange berries and plums. $35 “cuddly” palate. $25 UMAMU Estate Hilltops Shiraz Minnow Creek Margaret River Viognier 2019 McLaren Vale Shiraz The Pinnacle Shiraz 2019 HHH1/2 93pts 2018 HHH 90pts McLaren Vale Shiraz HHHHH 98pts A serious young wine Fruit cake-like aromas 2020 HHHH 94pts Typical cool climate with a fruit cake-like with big, bold and sweet Young and juicy with shiraz with a leafy nose and a long, lean stewed fruit flavour an abundance of dark mulberry bouquet and spicy palate with a profile. $29 peppery fruit and spicy and a dash of pepper tannic grip. $35 oak with grippy tannins. and a vibrant inky PRESS + BLOOM “A serious wine!” $25 concentration of flavours McLaren Vale Shiraz with oaky complexity. 2018 HHH1/2 93pts Taylors Wines “Very polished wine!” A mature old-fashioned Jaraman Clare Valley $38 style of shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz exhibiting dried fruit- 2020 HHHH 94pts like characters with A big, flavoursome, chocolaty nuances. $27 full-bodied style with an earthy fruit nose and big hit of sweet fruit flavours with nice use of oak. 5+ $34 86 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

NEW RELEASES contact details FORTIFIEDS ADELAIDE HILLS MCLAREN VALE, Geoff Merrill Wines LANGHORNE CREEK, Phone: 08 8381 6877 3 TASTED Art Wine Pty Ltd FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Email: [email protected] 3 AWARDED Phone: 0411 422 450 Web: www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au Some fantastic Email: [email protected] Australia Heidrun Estate (Rohan) Gralyn Estate examples here showing Web: www.artwine.com.au Phone: 0420 650 730 Phone: 08 9755 6245 the lovely stylistically Corryton Burge (Burge Family Wine Email: marketing@heidrungroup. Email: [email protected] typical butterscotch and Estates) com.au Web: www.gralyn.com.au caramel aromas and Phone: +61 8 8563 7575 Web: www.heidrungroup.com.au Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd flavours. Email: [email protected] Doc Adams Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 08 8323 8706 Web: www.corrytonburge.com Phone: 0419 807 165 Email: [email protected] Gralyn Estate Hahndorf Hill Winery Email: sales@docadamswines. Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Margaret River Phone: 08 8388 7512 com.au Levrier by Jo Irvine Pedro Ximenez NV Email: cellardoor@ Web: www.docadamswines.com.au Phone: 08 8562 3888 HHHH1/2 97pts hahndorfhillwinery.com.au Geoff Merrill Wines Email: [email protected] Nose reminiscent of Web: www.hahndorfhillwinery. Phone: 08 8381 6877 Web: www.levrierwines.com.au burnt toffee with a com.au Email: [email protected] Sidewood Estate Pty Ltd sweet but light, not Mt Bera Vineyards Web: www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au Phone: 08 8389 9234 cloying, palate full Phone: 08 8389 2433 Grandeur Wellington Email: [email protected] of delicious, toasted Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8383 0866 Web: www.sidewood.com.au caramel/apple pie-like Web: www.mtberavineyards.com.au Email: [email protected] Starrs Reach Vineyard flavours with a finish Paracombe Premium Wines Web: www.grandeurwellington. Phone: 0419 034 087 that goes on and on. $60 Phone: 08 8380 5058 com.au Email: [email protected] Galway Pipe Email: [email protected] Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.starrsreach.com.au Australia Grand Web: www.paracombewines.com Phone: 08 8323 8706 Wild Game Wine Tawny NV Vinteloper Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 261 075 HHHH1/2 97pts Phone: 0415 297 787 Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Email: [email protected] Lovely balance between Email: [email protected] Orbis Wines Web: www.wildgamewine.com.au the butterscotch and Web: www.vinteloper.com.au Phone: 0466 986 318 Yalumba & Hill-Smith Family barley sugar-like aromas Email: [email protected] Vineyards with a very syrupy BEST OF THE WEST Web: www.orbiswines.com.au Phone: 08 8561 3563 sweet palate rich with Shingleback Wine Email: [email protected] flavours in the chocolate, Bettenay Wines Phone: 08 8323 9919 Web: www.yalumba.com caramel and black tea Phone: 08 9755 5539 Email: tastingroom@shingleback. Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd spectrum. $36 Email: info@bettenaysmargaretriver. com.au Phone: 08 7286 3088 Galway Pipe com.au Web: www.shingleback.com.au Email: [email protected] Australia Rare Tawny Web: www.bettenaysmargaretriver. Watkins Family Wine Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au NV HHHH 94pts com.au Phone: 0415 571 574 Smells of crème caramel Gralyn Estate Email: [email protected] NORTH ISLAND NZ with a sweet complexity Phone: 08 9755 6245 Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd of spicy, coffee and Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 7286 3088 Linden Estate Winery NZ roasted almond flavours. Web: www.gralyn.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 0279 004 749 Finishes quite dry. $100 Rivendell Winery Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au Email: sales@lindenestatewinery. Phone: 08 9755 2000 co.nz Email: [email protected] NEW RELEASES Web: www.lindenestatewinery.co.nz Web: www.rivendellwines.com.au Singlefile Wines Pty Ltd Art Wine Pty Ltd NZ RECENT RELEASES Phone: 0409 108 166 Phone: 0411 422 450 Spy Valley Wines NZ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Web: www.singlefilewines.com Web: www.artwine.com.au Email: [email protected] Cassegrain Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Phone: 02 6582 8347 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cassegrainwines.com.au Dinny Goonan Wines Phone: 0438 408 420 Email: [email protected] Web: www.dinnygoonan.com.au May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 87

You can take the wine out of the bottle, but you can’t take the out of the wine. 201 Blewitt Springs RD, McLaren Flat, South Australia 5171 www.grandeurwellington.com.au