Winestate Magazine November December 2022

52 TASTED 47 AWARDED SEMILLON & BLENDS Australia's signature aging classic white wine, it regularly goes under the radar for the new generation but is valued by those in the know. Try some aged examples and you will be blown away! SEMILLON & Trentham Estate SEMILLON & Singlefile Wines Drury Lane Estate BLENDS Two Thirds Murray BLENDS Great Southern Vineyard Designate UNDER $25 Darling Semillon $25-$30 Semillon Sauvignon Hunter Valley Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2022 Semillon 2022 6 TASTED 2022 HHH1/2 93pts 14 TASTED HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH1/2 96pts 4 AWARDED A stonefruit nose with 13 AWARDED Bright green wine with Aromas of pears and Consistent, fresh and sweet ripe tropical fruit an aromatic pungency honeysuckle with a lively wines offering flavours on a slightly oily Very consistent across a of gooseberry and nice mineral-like thread. flavour and value for textured palate. $16 number of vintages. The passionfruit. The palate The tight palate offers money. Jaeschkes Hill River extra money gives you a has loads of tropical long and well-balanced Clare Estate Single step up in quality. “Great based flavours laced with grapefruit-like flavours. Hay Shed Hill Wines Vineyard Clare tight stylistic intensity plenty of acidity. $25 $29.99 Pitchfork Margaret Valley Semillon here with excellent McGuigan Bin Audrey Wilkinson River Semillon 2022 HHH1/2 92pts results for the developed 9000 Hunter Valley Hunter Valley Sauvignon Blanc A young wine with wines showing how well Semillon 2017 Semillon 2022 2022 HHHH1/2 restrained, slightly this variety ages,” said HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts 96pts herbaceous aromas one judge. Straw yellow colour and Tight restrained nose Classic light and lifted but a rich citrus driven a buttery nutty nose with some citrus and fragrances of cut grass palate. $22 McGuigan Bin with a pretty floral lift. some honeysuckle. and ripe gooseberries Allandale Winery 9000 Hunter Valley Lovely toasty palate Perfectly balanced, soft with a pleasant Single Vineyard Semillon 2022 with lingering lemony and creamy palate. $25 freshness of citrus/ Hunter Valley HHHHH 98pts elegance and a crisp passionfruit flavours. Very Semillon 2022 Full lifted cut hay and acid finish. $25 easy to drink! $15 HHH 91pts lemon sherbet of a nose Hints of honeysuckle on with a hint of green the nose with a balanced apple. Big, rounded palate citrusy palate. $24 brimming over with lingering and rich lime and lemon flavours. $25 McGuigan Bin 9000 Hunter Valley Semillon 2007 HHHHH 98pts Very developed semillon but in a good way. Gorgeous buttery toasty nose and a generosity of toasty citrus flavours with lovely bottle age characters. $25 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 51

SEMILLON & BLENDS Audrey Wilkinson Hay Shed Hill Wines McGuigan Shortlist Saddler's Creek Hunter Valley Block 1 Margaret Hunter Valley Wines Saddler's Adelaide Hills River Semillon Semillon 2018 Semillon Hunter Semillon Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc HHHH1/2 97pts Valley Semillon Blanc 2022 2021 HHH 91pts Lovely lifted honeyed 2022 HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts Bright yellow wine lemon bouquet with Simple melon/ Unusual aromas; some with a somewhat a hint of green notes. citrus aromas with tropical notes and a subdued nose and a ripe Huge palate that fills straightforward fruit river rock-like minerality developing palate. $28 the mouth with lovely driven flavours. $30 with a zesty super pure grapefruit/lemon flavours varietal palate. $25 SEMILLON & and a hint of oak. $30 Forester Estate McGuigan Bin BLENDS Jack out of the 9000 Hunter Valley $30-$40 Box Margaret River Semillon 2014 Semillon 2020 HHHH 94pts 10 TASTED HHH 91pts Tight and youthful 9 AWARDED A very stalky green nose smelling of roasted with a nice simple dry, hazelnuts with a pleasant A very strong class. Yet Coughlan Estate green fruit palate. $30 lingering toasty buttery another quality step-up. Geographe WA flavour profile. $25 “There was more acid Semillon 2020 SEMILLON & McGuigan Bin retention and balance HHHH 95pts BLENDS 9000 Hunter Valley obvious here with more Bright citrusy fruit $40-$45 Semillon 2018 low yielding quality fruit intensity with obvious HHH1/2 92pts intensity,” noted one oak and starting to 11 TASTED Buttery lemon bouquet judge. show some toasty age 10 AWARDED and a complexity of complexity. $34 buttery characters and Peter Lehmann Hanging Tree Wines Audrey Wilkinson “Beautifully aged wines juicy citrus flavours with Wines Margaret Hunter Valley NSW Winemaker's with tight acid flavours,” lingering acidity. $25 Barossa Valley Semillon 2021 Selection Hunter enthused one judge. Gartelmann Wines Semillon 2015 HHHH1/2 96pts Valley Semillon “Another excellent class Benjamin Hunter HHHHH 98pts A very well-made wine 2022 HHHH 95pts with high scores across Valley Semillon Delightful tight bright with some subtle lime- Green citrusy bouquet a multitude of vintages.” 2022 HHH 91pts aromas just starting juice fragrances with a with slight tropical note A leaner style. The nose to show a hint of slight waxy character. and a full flavoured Coolangatta Estate not giving much away development. A classic Beautifully poised palate zesty lemon palate with Individual Vineyard with a refreshing mouth- semillon palate full of with a great citrus lingering acid. $35 Wollstonecraft watering palate. $27 flavour with the oak flavour profile. $30 Allandale Winery Shoalhaven Coast Firetail Margaret and fruit in seamless Hunter Valley Semillon 2018 River Semillon balance. $39.99 Semillon 2017 HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHH 91pts McGuigan Shortlist HHH1/2 92pts Solid waxy lemon and Toasty lemon buttery Hunter Valley Developed buttery oak glacé fruit nose with a characters on the nose Semillon 2014 nose with lingering honeysuckle character and palate layered with HHHHH 98pts biscuity lemon flavours creeping in. Palate green elements. $25 Nose shows a generosity and good line of acid. $32 has an abundance of McGuigan Bin of cut grass and ripe creamy citrus fruit 9000 Hunter Valley stonefruits with a buttery flavours. Still a baby! $40 Semillon 2021 element. Excellent HHH 91pts lemon/lime palate with Restrained floral/lemon layers of buttery nutty barley bouquet and characters and fantastic simple but flavoursome acid line. $30 gooseberry palate. $25 JUDGES Sara Zhang Andrew Locke Chris Coulter Winemaker at TWG (The Winemaker with Chief Winemaker, Wine Group). Previously Rosemount Wines Chateau Yaldara, 147 vintaged at Berri Estates, since 1998. Previously Wines. Has judged West Cape Howe, WA he was a winemaker at the Barossa wine and Grower Wine Group in with Orlando Wyndham show. Previously Australia. Overseas includes and De Bortoli Wines. worked at McGuigan Villa Maria, Marlborough and He has completed wines, Coldstream Bordeaux for six months, vintages in the US and Hills, MacForbes, De Right Bank Chateaux, Loire (France). In 1993 Bortoli and Helens Hill through a Bordeaux he attended the AWRI wines. He also did consultant. Has judged at advanced assessment a stint with Church the Riverland wine show. course. Road, New Zealand. 52 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting Tempus Two Pewter Glandore Elliot SEMILLON & Glandore Audrey Wilkinson Hunter Valley Hunter Valley BLENDS Cellarhands Oakey 'The Ridge' Hunter Semillon 2017 Semillon 2021 $45+ Creek Vineyard Valley Semillon HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 97pts Hunter Valley 2021 HHH1/2 93pts Good example of an An excellent acid driven 10 TASTED Semillon 2022 Ripe melon and ageing semillon with style with pure river rock 10 AWARDED HHHH1/2 97pts gooseberry-like varietal its vibrant citrus nose minerality to the fresh Appealing vibrancy of fruit with a vibrant acid laced with creamy warm grapefruit nose all of Overall, a very strong simple citrus fragrances line. “Will be great in 10 fruits. Great length which is echoed on the and consistent class and an elegant acid years!” $55 and persistence of palate. Just needs time with results similar driven palate with a great Tempus Two Uno warm buttery honeyed to really shine. $42 to the previous flight. pure citrus flavour profile. Hunter Valley flavours. $40 Tempus Two Pewter However, one judge “Will be very respectable Semillon 2016 Hunter Valley noted that, “Some with time!” $80 HHH1/2 92pts Tempus Two Pewter Semillon 2015 of these wines have Coolangatta Estate Pithy lemon and Hunter Valley HHHH1/2 97pts massive acid balance Individual Vineyard grapefruit aromas and Semillon 2014 A beautifully aged issues. If winemakers Wollstonecraft the high level of acid on HHHHH 98pts bright yellow semillon are looking to create Shoalhaven Coast the palate underpins the Vibrant and amazingly with many years left in great ageing wines, then Semillon 2016 fruit. $60 youthful for an 8-year-old. it yet according to the don’t release them for a HHHH1/2 97pts Coolangatta Estate Punchy creamed honey judges. Lots of toasty long time!” Lovely toasty Individual Vineyard and toast fragrances warm and slightly development to the Wollstonecraft with excellent length of jubey fruit aromas and Coolangatta Estate warm citrus fruit nose. Shoalhaven Coast pure zesty lemon/peach flavours. $40 Individual Vineyard Great creamy lemon Semillon 2015 flavours. Good acidity. $40 Tempus Two Pewter Wollstonecraft custard-like palate with HHH 91pts Tempus Two Pewter Hunter Valley Shoalhaven Coast an elegant toastiness Ripe honeyed tropical Hunter Valley Semillon 2022 Semillon 2017 and a long zippy fresh bouquet and a Semillon 2013 HHHH1/2 96pts HHHHH 98pts finish. $45 seamlessly integrated HHHHH 98pts Good amount of Bright yellow colour and Audrey Wilkinson oily textured palate. $50 So typical of a well-aged ripeness to the flinty lovely lifted toasty lemon Marsh Vineyard Tempus Two Uno semillon, still shows citrus bouquet. Great curd bouquet. Great mix Hunter Valley Hunter Valley some freshness with a length of fresh lime/ of buttery lemon curd Semillon 2022 Semillon 2014 beautiful creamy citrus peach flavours with a and citrus flavours laced HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts nose and great palate nice mineral line and with toasty notes with An aromatic sweetness Honeyed pineapple with lovely length of tight acid. Needs time to lingering acid. $45 of ripe gooseberries with aromas and an elegant toasty flavours and evolve. $40 some citrus elements. acid driven palate. Needs lingering acid. $40 Tempus Two Pewter Coolangatta Estate Crisp, tight and youthful even more time! $60 Mercer Wines Hunter Valley Estate Grown citrus driven palate with Limited Release Semillon 2018 Shoalhaven Coast lovely tropical notes. Hunter Valley HHHH1/2 96pts Semillon 2016 Time is all it needs. $45 Semillon 2022 Lively toasty warm HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 97pts fruits lift off the nose Beautifully developed STAR RATINGS  Fresh ripe aromas of with good presence spicy/citrusy nose. Super pears, citrus and cut of cut hay characters. seamless palate; great Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of grass and a vibrant fizzy Dry toasty palate fruit, excellent acid and excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. young lemon/lime and with pronounced acid plenty of length. “Will All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry nectarine palate with a crispness and some be a ripper in another professionals and are compared in peer crunchy acid line. Ageing spiciness. $40 few years!” $45 classes by three judges. potential here. $40 Glandore Elliot CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Hunter Valley Coolangatta Estate a major mail-order business. Semillon 2022 Individual Vineyard CD Cellar door price. HHHH 94pts Wollstonecraft CDO Cellar door only. “A very good semillon,” Shoalhaven Coast SO Sold out. enthused one judge. Semillon 2009 $N/A Price not available at time of printing. “Ticks all the boxes!” HHHHH 98pts  Contact information pg 97. Lovely cut grass, Great example of an lemon curd and citrus aged wine. Smells RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). characters. $42 of toast, honey and BEST VALUE for $20 & under. marmalade with tropical notes. Full bodied palate For a complete list of what we tasted with buttery/toasty please refer to www.winestate.com.au complexity and fresh lemon notes. $75 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 53

PINOT NOIR 91 TASTED 37 AWARDED PINOT NOIR One of the most intriguing red varietals which confuses with its Beyond the Nepenthe Pinnacle light colours yet gives ethereal elegance in the best examples. Wilderness Tasmania Adelaide Hills A variety for the connoisseur. Here we bring you some nice Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2020 examples across different price points. HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts A sound wine with A deep red wine with a PINOT NOIR Lana's Bike VIC Tomich Duck & pretty, lifted fruit, some delicate savoury nose. UNDER $25 Pinot Noir 2021 Weave Adelaide Hills complexity and good Great palate structure HHH 90pts Pinot Noir 2021 tannin balance. $25 and complexity with 10 TASTED A pleasant combo of HHHH 94pts toasty oak and crisp 2 AWARDED lifted perfumed floral Lifted sweet red fruit Chain Of Ponds acidity. $30 fruit, fine tannins and bouquet with a hint Section 400 Sutherland Estate Disappointing group! sharp acidity. $14 of mint. Fleshy in the Adelaide Hills Yarra Valley “At this price we can’t mouth with candied Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2021 expect too much,” said PINOT NOIR fruit and smoky meaty HHH 91pts HHH1/2 92pts one judge. “But too $25-$30 notes. $25 Slight savoury/funky A tightly wound, oak many wines lacked fruit Alex Russell Wines characters with fresh driven, style with weight and structure. 13 TASTED Son of a Bull fruit underneath and attractive perfumed High cropping does not 6 AWARDED Tasmania Pinot Noir supporting tannins. $25 cherry-like fruit aromas give flavour. However, 2021 HHHH 94pts and flavours. $32 the two wines here A better result with Rhubarb-like characters PINOT NOIR Lark Hill Regional offered good value. this group. Still a mixed on the nose with a $30-$35 NSW Pinot Noir bag but the better palate that is light and 2021 HHH 91pts Gapsted Wines High wines showed varietal savoury with lovely 12 TASTED Resinous fruit on the Country King Valley character, freshness long lingering varietal 4 AWARDED nose and complex and Pinot Noir 2021 and vibrancy with more flavours. $29 balanced varietal palate HHH1/2 92pts palate weight. Tomich Hilltop Another disappointing low in tannins. $30 A solid commercial Adelaide Hills group. However, the TarraWarra Estate style with good varietal Santa & D'Sas The Pinot Noir 2021 handful of wines that ‘Estate’ Yarra Valley fruit vibrancy, plenty of King & I King Valley HHH1/2 92pts were recommended Pinot Noir 2019 oak and some crunchy Pinot Noir 2021 Raspberry lolly-like nose came from diverse HHH 91pts acidity. $22 HHHH 95pts with a vibrant and very regions and showed Aromas of mushrooms Oak tends to dominate varietal palate with good fruit intensity and and spices with a long the spicy/perfumed chalky tannins balancing balance. A smoke taint well-balanced palate fruit fragrances. More it all. $25 problem showed up with high in acid. $32 oak obvious on the some of the 2020 Hills palate with bright fruit wines. underneath. $25 JUDGES Adam Carnaby Dylan Shute Russell Desmond Senior Winemaker for Vineyard manager Mt Assistant winemaker Seppelt. Has previously Bera Wines. Viticuture for the AWRI. Has a worked in hospitality & Oenology degree. degreee in oenology and management at Retail experience with viticulture. Previously Melbourne's Hilton Hotel. Edinburgh Cellars. WSET, worked at Wirra Completed a bachelor 2nd level. Previously Wirra from 2006 and degree in wine science at worked for Tapanappa Rosemount from 2012. Charles Sturt University wines, Beach Road, and and bachelor of applied McLaren Vintners. science at RMIT. Formerly winemaker for Yering Station and Xanadu. 54 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting PINOT NOIR Singlefile Single Dalrymple Tasmania $35-$40 Vineyard Mount Pinot Noir 2021 Barker Great HHHH1/2 97pts 18 TASTED Southern Pinot Noir A tightly wound, youthful 8 AWARDED 2021 HHH1/2 92pts and fleshy style of pinot A broader herbaceous with pretty strawberry Now we are talking! style of pinot. Quite aromas and a long, “There is a quality step- lifted with well- nicely structured palate up in this flight with the integrated oak and rich with savoury/ best wines showing tannins and an oaky herbaceous flavours. $40 good integration of finish. $35 Sidewood Signature superior oak and fruit Three Kings Wine '777' Adelaide Hills and whole bunch Merchants Kings Pinot Noir 2021 complexity,” said one Creed Adelaide Hills HHHH 95pts judge. “Some wines did Pinot Noir 2021 Stalky savoury nose suffer from excess oak HHH 91pts with pretty fruit use.” Sweet and spicy underneath and a very elements on the nose savoury and slightly with a lengthy cola-like racy palate with more palate. $35 stalky elements. $45 DiGiorgio Family Sidewood Estate Wignalls Single Plantagenet Wines Banks Road Geelong Kongorong Adelaide Hills Vineyard Albany Normand Great Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2020 Southern Pinot Noir HHH1/2 93pts HHHHH 98pts HHHHH 98pts HHH 90pts 2021 HHHHH 98pts A tightly wound and A young uncomplicated The nose exhibits Very varietal with heaps A big wine with dark vibrant pinot with bright red wine herbaceous savoury of structure and plenty of plum-like fruit fragrances cranberry-like fruit, nice with pretty, candied aromas laced with oak savoury elements. $36 with dusty oak. The long, spiciness and a good strawberry-like and the palate has well structured, palate line of acid. $40 aromatics. Plenty of stemmy cranberry-like PINOT NOIR is intense with delicious Leura Park Estate structure to this vibrant flavours well integrated $40-$50 red fruit flavours, sweet Bellarine Pinot Noir palate that’s brimming with plenty of new oak spices and racy acid. $40 2021 HHH1/2 93pts over with fleshy fruit and chalky tannins. $35 26 TASTED Bream Creek A bright fleshy combo flavours. $35 Kings of Kangaroo 13 AWARDED Vineyard Tasmania of cranberry and Ground Thirteen 31 Pinot Noir 2021 strawberry characters Yarra Valley “Pick the younger HHHHH 98pts with cedary oak and Pinot Noir 2020 wines,” advised one Confectionery and spicy savoury elements. $42 HHHH1/2 96pts judge. “Fresh and strawberry-like bouquet Yes Said The Seal A very nice pinot with a vibrant is best, with and a palate that is Bellarine Pinot Noir nose smelling of jubey good fruit and good luscious in the mouth 2021 HHH1/2 92pts red fruit, herbs and winemaking a given at with a perfect harmony Light medicinal/cherry licorice. The palate is this price!” “The 2021 between the oak, nose and savoury long and intense and vintage was better than varietal fruit, spices, acid complexity on the long, very varietal with a great the 2020 around the and tannins. $45 well-structured palate. overall structure. $35 South-East regions of Good tannins. $42 Kings of Kangaroo Australia,” said another. Sidewood Signature Ground Thirteen 31 'Abel' Adelaide Hills Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2019 HHH1/2 92pts HHHH 95pts Simple subtle red A soft and approachable fruit fragrances and a wine with ripe pleasant herbaceous strawberry-like fruit, a palate with a lovely, whack of new oak and luscious mouthfeel. $45 the acid kept nicely in Wignalls Single check. $35 Vineyard Albany Tomich Woodside Pinot Noir 2021 Vineyard Adelaide HHH1/2 92pts Hills Pinot Noir Quite a tannic wine 2021 HHHH 94pts with a very solid core of Lovely purity of varietal pure dark varietal fruit, fruit aromas with a plenty of oak and chalky spicy lift. Fleshy and tannins. $45 fruity in the mouth with fine tannins and lots of oak. $35 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 55

PINOT NOIR Brangayne Of PINOT NOIR Bangor Vineyard PINOT NOIR Orange Orange $50-$60 Abel Tasman $60+ Pinot Noir 2021 Tasmania HHH 91pts 5 TASTED Pinot Noir 2020 7 TASTED A subtle but pretty, 3 AWARDED HHHH1/2 95pts 1 AWARDED strawberry nose Deep intense earthy/ and a brightness of Three good examples mushroom-like nose Very disappointing. strawberries on the here and again there with a perfumed fruit There were too many palate. $42 is a preference for the lift. Fine tight tannin flat rather than vibrant Alex Russell Wines younger, rather than the structure to the palate wines with winemaking Cazadora Tasmania older wines. “These are with sweet fruit flavours, faults as well as a lack of Pinot Noir 2021 examples of wines that charry oak and high depth and concentration HHH 91pts let the fruit ‘sing’ with acidity. $55 across the board. “There A complex varietal vibrancy and show good Lark Hill 'Lark Hill are better wines in the with perfumed red fruit fruit depth with no oak Vineyard' Canberra $40-$50 bracket,” noted characters and very issues,” commented one District Pinot Noir one judge. spicy oak. $45 judge. 2021 HHH1/2 93pts RIKARD Orange Nicely structured Mt Bera Boundless Pinot Noir 2021 wine with generous Horizons Adelaide HHH 91pts upfront confectionery Hills Pinot Noir 2012 A pleasant mix of red strawberry fruit and lots HHH 91pts fruits, heaps of spice of sweet spices. $55 Good for its age with and nice charcuterie-like lots of dark fruit layered notes. $45 Coal Pit Tiwha with a complexity Sidewood Signature Central Otago of leathery/earthy 'Oberlin' Adelaide Pinot Noir 2019 characters. $60 Hills Pinot Noir HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHH 91pts A gorgeous deep Interesting spicy and brooding wine with a savoury raspberry-like perfect tannin structure, fruit nose and palate. $45 lots of delicious fleshy cherry-like fruit and excellent quality oak that is quite prominent but not overpowering. $57 a YOUR SPECIALIST IN VINEYARD & WINERY INSURANCE & MORE We can provide coverage for: - vines, trellis systems & irrigation; - grape damage, hail, frost and fire; - winery equipment; - wine in storage, transit and spillage; - public and product liability; - vineyard and farm equipment; - wine recall costs and faulty wine, - all other general areas of insurance. AUSTRALIA WIDE 0409 877 244 [email protected] www.robertsinsurance.com.au Get a quote today! @robertsinsuranceproviders Roberts Insurance Providers Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Resilium Insurance Broking Pty Ltd ABN 92169975973 AFSL No. 460382 56 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

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87 TASTED 74 AWARDED RIESLING If you haven't tried a riesling for a while get a glass and give them a go. These have lovely flavour spice and vibrancy at their best but can also age extremely well where they develop great secondary characters of honey and citrus. RIESLING RIESLING UNDER $20 $20-$25 7 TASTED 10 TASTED 3 AWARDED 9 AWARDED Many borderline wines A strong and consistent Kies Family Wines Knappstein Clare here lacking fruit and result with these wines Hill Block Barossa Valley Riesling 2022 trying to build flavour offering excellent value Valley Riesling 2022 HHHH 95pts with sugar that didn’t for money. HHHH 95pts Pale straw hues and quite work. However, A tight restrained wine slightly closed nose with the three wines here Jaeschkes Hill River Paracombe Adelaide with a strong core of a broader palate and offer good quality at a Clare Estate Single Hills Riesling 2022 acid and attractive steely reasonable intensity of good price. Vineyard Clare HHHH1/2 96pts citrus fruit characters. citrus fruit. $22 Valley Riesling 2022 A nose like citrus rind Just needs time to Alex Russell Wines d'Arenberg The Dry HHHHH 98pts with a delicate floral settle. $22 Franca's Vineyard Dam McLaren Vale A pale green wine with lift and nice minerality. Raidis Estate The Kid South Australia Riesling 2022 a lovely bright bouquet The zesty steely palate Coonawarra Riesling Riesling 2022 HHH 91pts elevated with floral has an abundance of 2022 HHHH 95pts HHHH 94pts Crisp citrus lift to the citrus fruit and a delicate citrus fruit intensity A zesty full flavoured A nice example of nose and good length palate yet it shows supported by a riesling that is pale style with an aromatic of sweet citrus flavours some power with good powerful acid line. $23 green in colour mix of citrus fruit and with nice acid backbone. level of primary fruit and with delicate floral tropical fruit elements $19 a long clean finish. $22 fragrances and a fleshy and a good acid/sugar St Amand Clare fruit palate. $22 balance. $22 Hoggies Estate Valley Riesling 2022 Wines Coonawarra HHHH1/2 96pts Riesling 2021 Aromas of lemons and HHH 91pts limes with a tropical Subtle citrus bouquet trace. Seamlessly and a nicely layered balanced palate with a tangy citrus driven slight chalky texture and palate. $14.99 nice lift of steely citrus flavours with a good acid Lake Chalice Falcon backbone. $20 Marlborough Riesling 2021 HHH 91pts Citrusy fruit fragrances and a full rounded palate with a hint of fruit sweetness. $18.99 58 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting Spy Valley Erin Eyes Emerald Pewsey Vale Whistle and Hope Marlborough Isle Clare Valley Vineyard Estate Nagambie Lakes Riesling 2019 Riesling 2022 Eden Valley Riesling 2019 HHHH 94pts HHHH1/2 97pts Riesling 2022 HHHH 94pts Developed honeyed The nose not giving HHHH1/2 94pts A simple austere and aromas with floral much away at the A hint of fresh hay lifts steely riesling with touches and a tight and moment and just off the lemon/lime nose. layers of light fruit, toast somewhat austere steely showing a hint of citrus. It has a solid citrus and mineral elements palate that has a delicate The palate is delicate palate that’s fresh, clean and has a good acid texture. $24.90 NZ and fragrant with floral and vibrant and showing backbone. $25 Brand & Sons and citrus flavours and a a touch of residual Kirrihill Partner Bandits Coonawarra fresh acid backbone. $25 sweetness. $26 Series Clare Valley Riesling 2021 Riesling 2020 HHH1/2 92pts Drop Zone Clare DiGiorgio Family HHH1/2 93pts A developed complexity Valley Riesling 2022 Mount Gambier An intense of fragrances with a HHHH1/2 96pts Riesling 2022 concentration of steely tight linear mineral A pure riesling nose – HHHH 94pts biscuity aromas and palate that has good fruit tight, floral and steely Estery grapefruit/lime a great texture to the presence. $20 and has a flavoursome fragrances and a racy solid citrus palate. $25 citrus bomb of a palate acid palate with good Patrick of RIESLING with a fresh mineral line persistence of varietal Coonawarra Two $25-$30 and good level of crisp fruit and slight phenolic Blocks Coonawarra acidity to balance. $27 punch. $25 Riesling 2022 30 TASTED HHH1/2 92pts 24 AWARDED Brockenchack Gaelic Cemetery Singlefile Wines A steely minerally style Mackenzie William Vineyard Celtic Great Southern with a simple well- Another excellent and 1896 Eden Valley Farm Clare Valley Riesling 2022 balanced palate and consistently good class Riesling 2022 Riesling 2022 HHHH 94pts pleasant varietal fruit with great pedigree. HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Citrus intensity to the presence. $25 “The best had citrus Distinctly aromatic Steely cool nose laced nose and a long, fresh Scarpantoni layered flavours with bouquet with lovely with lemon and lime- and well-balanced Estate McLaren great acid line,” said one lemon and lime like citrus characters. palate in the citrus Vale Riesling 2022 judge. characters and river Good solid palate with spectrum with a good HHH1/2 92pts pebble-like minerality. varietal fruit freshness, acid line. $25 A lovely fresh young Good fleshy weight to juicy acidity and a hint of Cooper Burns Emmy wine with interesting the palate with lovely phenolic complexity. $28 Lou Eden Valley lantana-like floral texture and pure citrus Gilbert Wines Riesling 2021 characters, minty notes flavours. $28 JMG Mount Barker HHHH 94pts and citrus fruit. $25 Great Southern Pleasant lemon butter Sorby Adams Reillys Watervale Riesling 2022 bouquet and lovely Jellicoe Eden Valley Clare Valley Riesling HHHH1/2 96pts full flavoured lemon/ Riesling 2022 2022 HHHHH 98pts A drier style with a lime palate layered HHH1/2 92pts Lovely pure varietal great nose that’s bright, with developing toasty A bright wine with a fragrances of floral and steely with an elements. $25 stonefruit/citrus nose stonefruits, citrus and elegant varietal palate Millon Estate Eden showing a hint of florals. Nice tight line to that has incredible Valley Riesling 2021 perfume and similar the lively full-flavoured freshness and vibrancy HHHH 94pts characters on the palate with excellent with fine citrus flavours Dried citrus peel-like palate. $25 overall balance. $28 and a long finish. $28 aromas starting to show bottle development with a good solid fruit driven palate and excellent acidity. $27 JUDGES Peter Gajewski Michael Kane Peter Pollard Consultant Viti & Senior winemaker, Senior Winemaker at Winemaking. Previously Knappstein Wines. Angas & Bremer Wines. winemaker for Byrne Completed the Completed vintages with Vineyards. Has 40 plus years AWAC course in Californian Wineries Geyser in the wine industry with 2010. Previously Peak, Sonoma Valley, and 25 years experience with winemaker at Peter Lehmann in the Penfolds wines. Devil’s Lair WA (7 Barossa Valley. Previously Has international exposure years), Stella Bella the Winemaker at Simeon with wine marketing. Has and Wolf Blass Wines. Completed judged in various regional Wines. AWRI Advanced Wine wine shows. Assessment course. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 59

RIESLING Heggies Vineyard Stage Door Wine Co Gapsted Wines Knappstein Peter Teakle Estate Estate Eden Valley Eden Valley Riesling Valley Selection Enterprise Spring Killer White Port Riesling 2022 2022 HHH 91pts King Valley Farm Vineyard Clare Lincoln Riesling HHH1/2 92pts Some perfumed notes Riesling 2022 Valley Riesling 2022 2022 HHH 91pts A lighter style with to the nose and a solid HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts Nice cool climate riesling lovely purity of citrus juicy palate with citrus Subtle passionfruit Lively stonefruit-like with lifted herbaceous varietal fruit with a slight carrying across the characters to the nose fragrances with a nicely characters and racy acid hint of tropics. “Has palate. $25 and a fresh fruity and balanced and beautifully backbone. $30 promise!” $26 very delicate pristine textured palate crisp Plantagenet Wines RIESLING clean palate with a big with citrus flavours. $30 Spy Valley Envoy Three Lions Great $30-$35 hit of lime/citrus flavours Gilbert Wines Marlborough Southern Riesling with a fine mineral-like Gilberts Mount Riesling 2017 2022 HHH1/2 92pts 13 TASTED line. $30 Barker Great HHH 91pts A delightfully fragrant 12 AWARDED LMB Orange Southern Riesling Slightly closed, almost grassy bouquet with The most consistent Riesling 2022 2022 HHHH 94pts nutty, nose with sweet a pleasant, tight, lean line-up of the day. A very HHHH1/2 96pts A big hit of citrus aromas fruit flavours well- and steely varietal fruit solid class continuing Quite pale in colour and on the nose and a pretty, balanced by the acid. palate. $26 the quality of riesling smelling of stonefruits one dimensional, palate $34.90 NZ Koonara Wines with drink now wines or and grapefruit. It has a that’s floral, fresh and A Song for Alice those with future ageing tight acid palate with lifted. $32 RIESLING Coonawarra Riesling possibilities. a balanced purity of Krondorf Single $35-$40 2022 HHH1/2 92pts varietal fruit flavours Site High Eden Eden A tight shy nose with Kerrigan + Berry and river stone-like Valley Riesling 2021 12 TASTED herbaceous hints and a Mount Barker minerality. $30 HHHH 94pts 11 AWARDED pleasant straightforward Riesling 2022 Knappstein Ackland Steely citrus nose palate lively with citrus HHHHH 98pts Watervale Vineyard with hints of age The judges made similar flavours. $28 A pure full flavoured Clare Valley Riesling developing. Attractive comments about this Paulett Wines Clare riesling with nice fleshy 2022 HHHH 94pts mineral-like texture to group as they did about Valley Riesling 2022 stonefruit and citrus Vibrantly refreshing the palate with nice the previous flight. HHH1/2 92pts aromas and a very good aromas with a level of fruit. $30 Fine flinty fragrances presence of varietal fruit zesty, racy and very Matriarch and Rogue leading to a solid and full flavours on the palate flavoursome palate 'Dot' Watervale flavoured steely citrus with lean balancing with fruit in the citrus Single Vineyard fruit-driven palate. $28 acidity. $30 spectrum. $30 Clare Valley Riesling Russell & Suitor Son 2022 HHH1/2 92pts Of A Bull Tasmania A generosity of Riesling 2022 stonefruits lift off the HHH1/2 92pts nose. Fleshy in the Simple citrus nose with mouth with very good talc-like element. Clean overall balance. $30 and lively in the mouth Plantagenet Wines with a lingering finish. $29 Angevin Great Churchview Estate Southern Riesling St Johns Limited 2022 HHH1/2 92pts Release Margaret Tropical characters River Riesling 2022 on the nose with a HHH 91pts citrus blossom lift A bright fresh citrus and a lightweight, but driven wine with a flavoursome, palate. $34 strong steely acid Grampians Estate backbone. $25 St Ethels Old Vines Longhop Ravine Grampians Riesling Adelaide Hills 2022 HHH 91pts Riesling 2022 Floral and talc-like on HHH 91pts the nose with some Lively nose with obvious sweetness on a yeasty notes and a mouthfilling palate. $30 straightforward varietal palate with a good acid core. $25 60 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting Rikard Orange Mesh Eden Valley Erin Eyes Pride of Lark Hill Vineyard Pewsey Vale Riesling 2022 Riesling 2022 Erin Reserve Clare Biodynamic Vineyard The HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts Valley Riesling 2022 Canberra District Contours Eden Pure and highly aromatic Nose still closed but there HHHHH 98pts Riesling 2022 Valley Riesling 2016 riesling fruit characters is a solid citrus presence A very youthful wine HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts obvious on both the nose on the palate with an acid with interesting aromas Delightfully fresh vibrant Amazingly elegant, floral and the palate and all backbone. $35 reminiscent of orange and pure lime and lemon and fragrant for a six- nicely supported by a fine peel and peaches. fruit fragrances and year-old. Has complex crisp acid backbone. $35 Singlefile Wines Fresh, tight and crisp flavours with hints of layers of toast and Brangayne of Single Vineyard in the mouth with stonefruit and a tight brown lime flavours. Orange Orange Mount Barker Great excellent persistence crisp acid line. “Made Years left in it yet. $40 Riesling 2022 Southern Riesling of pure varietal fruit for the future,” said one Reillys Museum HHHH 94pts 2022 HHH 91pts flavours. $40 judge. $55 Release Clare Valley A fresh and A generous full flavoured Mesh Classic Patrick of Riesling 2016 uncomplicated varietal style of riesling with Release Eden Valley Coonawarra Block HHHH 94pts fruit nose with a silky- juicy fruit and an Riesling 2015 5 Aged Coonawarra Great example of aged smooth textured palate excellent acid line. $35 HHHHH 98pts Riesling 2014 riesling aromas with showing fresh floral fruit A powerful yet elegant HHHH1/2 96pts a very flavoursome, sweetness. $35 Paulett Wines Polish style of riesling with a Intense lemon/lime seamlessly balanced Z Wine [SAUL] Hill River Clare flavoursome generosity bouquet with distinctive and well-structured Night Harvest Eden Valley Riesling 2022 of developed citrus fruit aged toasty characters. palate. $45 Valley Riesling 2022 HHH 91pts characters carried by a Lovely flavoursome Paulett Wines 109 HHHH 94pts Some nice stonefruit- persistent mineral profile layers of toast, honey Reserve Clare Subtle aromas like fruit fragrances and with a lovely palate and bright juicy lime Valley Riesling 2021 reminiscent of lemon flavours with a balance texture. $40 fruit. Great mouthfeel HHH1/2 92pts tea with a floral lift. The of sugar and acid. $38 Reillys Watervale and a zesty finish. $45 Good varietal lemon palate is solid, steely Clare Valley Riesling Wilberforce Eden and lime citrus fruit and intense with citrus Kirrihill E.B.'s 2010 HHHH1/2 97pts Valley Riesling 2022 characters with toasty fruit. $35 The Settler Clare A beautiful example of a HHHH 94pts notes and a solid acid Gaelic Cemetery Valley Riesling 2021 perfectly aged riesling. Attractive varietal fruit backbone. $75 Vineyard White Hut HHH 91pts Excellent honeyed fruit characters of lemons Paulett Wines Aged Clare Valley Riesling Solid vibrant varietal fruit fragrances followed by and limes with a flinty/ Release Clare Valley 2022 HHH1/2 92pts on both the lifted nose a long, well balanced, mineral element and a Riesling 2020 Very attractive pure and the nicely texture palate with a seamless clean crisp acid line. $40 HHH1/2 92pts varietal fruit here with palate. $35 symmetry between fruit Paulett Wines 109 A lively elegant tight acid and pleasant and acid. $45 Reserve Clare Valley style with traces of chalky phenolics adding Pewsey Vale Gaelic Cemetery Riesling 2020 passionfruit, a chalky complexity. $36 Vineyard 1961 Block Vineyard McAskill HHHH 94pts phenolic texture and Kirrihill E.B.'s Eden Valley Riesling Clare Valley Just starting to develop impeccable balance. $75 The Settler Clare 2021 HHH 91pts Riesling 2022 attractive toasty notes to Morning Sun Valley Riesling 2019 Bright, fresh and citrusy HHHH1/2 96pts the citrus peel nose and Vineyard HHH1/2 92pts with honeyed notes and Lovely aromatics of the lime/lemon driven Mornington Developed brown-lime a zesty finish. $35 fresh green limes and palate with plenty of Peninsula Riesling like aromas and a soft lemon drops. A pristine acid. $75 2022 HHH 91pts palate showing biscuity Leura Park Estate pure and steely palate Nutty biscuity bouquet, elements mixing with Bellarine Peninsula with excellent overall slightly pungent and the fruit. $35 Riesling 2020 balance and tight acid simple fruit flavours and HHH 91pts line. Needs time to open lingering finish. $40 Good toasty bottle up. $45 Plantagenet Wines age characters on the Wyjup Collection nose with a racy, tightly Great Southern wound, palate. $35 Riesling 2022 HHH 91pts RIESLING $40+ Subtle hints of tropical aromas with a green 15 TASTED lime and lemon drop 15 AWARDED flavour profile. $45 Paulett Wines A very smart line-up. A Aged Release Clare step-up in elegant yet Valley Riesling 2019 robust fruit with great HHH 91pts ageing potential. “A few A gently perfumed nose were still very tight in and a citrus palate with acid terms, a challenge just a hint of toasty now but great for future development. $75 drinking,” noted one judge. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 61

56 TASTED 36 AWARDED PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO A crowd pleasing white wine varietal for drinking, not thinking! Whilst Sidewood Estate there are complex examples available generally these wines are Adelaide Hills regarded as cheap and cheerful offerings. Check them all out below. Pinot Gris 2022 HHHH 94pts An attractive fragrant melange of red apples and gingerbread with perfumed floral lift and balancing acidity. $24 PINOT GRIS/ Trentham Estate Sorby Adams Paracombe Adelaide GRIGIO Murray Darling Mytikas Single Hills Pinot Gris 2022 UNDER $20 Pinot Gris 2022 Vineyard Adelaide HHH1/2 93pts HHHH 94pts Pinot Gris 2022 Easy drinking pear/ 11 TASTED Delightful golden apple, HHH 91pts quince style with obvious 8 AWARDED pear and quince-like Subtle pear characters sweetness but balanced bouquet. Good flavour on the nose and soft by the acidity. $23 A consistent group of intensity on the well- and fruity in the mouth. wines offering good balanced palate. $18 $18 Paxton McLaren Brockenchack Wines primary fruit wines at a Lake Chalice Vale Pinot Gris 2022 On Point Eden Valley good price. Wines The Falcon Millon Wines The HHH1/2 92pts Pinot Grigio 2022 Marlborough Impressionist Eden Nose reminiscent of HHH 91pts Pinot Gris 2021 Valley Pinot Grigio pears and custard. Good Smells of ripe apples HHHH 94pts 2021 HHH 91pts weight of varietal fruit on with bright floral Fruit and yeast autolysis Quite a lean style with the slightly oily palate. $22 elements and a sweet work well together here citrusy notes and subtle Tomich Hill Family fruit palate. $22 on the nose and has a hints of oak. $18 Estate Adelaide Hills Knappstein Clare nice texture filling out Pinot Grigio 2022 Valley Pinot Gris the palate. $18.99 PINOT GRIS/ HHH1/2 92pts 2022 HHH 91pts Berton Vineyard GRIGIO Interesting combo of Pears and quinces lift Metal Label Riverina $20-$25 green and red apple-like off the nose and the Pinot Grigio 2022 varietal characters laced sparkling crisp palate HHH1/2 93pts 13 TASTED with fresh acidity. $22 has citrusy acidity. $22 Spicy herbaceous 9 AWARDED Chain of Ponds Allandale Winery bouquet with a tight Amelia's Letter Single Vineyard acid line on the palate This group is a step Adelaide Hills Hilltops Pinot Gris and subtle pear flavour up in complexity from Pinot Gris 2022 2022 HHH 90pts profile. $14 the previous flight with HHH 91pts A bright complex style Taylors Promised some good lees work. A clean translucent pinot with stonefruit varietal Land South Australia “The better wines with very subtle fruit characters and nice Pinot Grigio 2022 showed balanced characters and zippy phenolic notes. $24 HHH 91pts phenolics; the others acidity. $20 Peach and honey didn’t,” said one judge. Marisco Vineyards aromas with reasonably The Ned rich and spicy fruit Mr Riggs Mrs Marlborough VBBAEULSYUTSE flavours. $16 Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2022 Sorby Adams Gudilly Pinot Gris 2022 HHHH1/2 96pts Single Vineyard HHHH1/2 96pts Slightly pink in colour Adelaide Pinot Gris Nose shows subtle with a pungent and 2022 HHH 91pts layers of apples, spices spicy nose showing a A simple and perfectly and biscuity characters. hint of citrus that follows balanced wine with lifted Excellent fruit weight through onto the rich perfumed citrus fruit on the palate with palate with its nice clean characters. $18 a pleasant phenolic character and good acid line of acid. $19.99 line. $22 62 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting PINOT GRIS/ Three Kings Wine Totino Wines Classic Sorby Adams Field Day Wine Co. GRIGIO Merchants The Kings Range Adelaide Hills Margaret Eden Monterra Adelaide $25-$30 Creed Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio 2019 Valley Pinot Gris Hills Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio 2022 HHH 91pts 2022 HHH 90pts 2022 HHHH1/2 16 TASTED HHHH1/2 96pts Still fresh for a three- Good representation of 96pts 10 AWARDED Intense white floral year old with classic lime pinot fruit here with a Bright red apple nose “Winemakers are fragrances with marmalade aromas and slight oily texture to the with subtle green pear experimenting here with pleasant brioche-like flavours. $28 palate. $25 touches and long well some pushing too hard lees characters. A fresh Artwine Prego balanced palate with an to get flavour,” noted seamless integration of Single Vineyard Cat out of the Bag interesting texture and one judge. “However, pure varietal fruit and Clare Valley Bellarine Peninsula very good varietal fruit these are more textural acid. $25 Pinot Grigio 2022 Pinot Grigio 2020 flavour profile. $30 and complex wines if Run Free By HHH 91pts HHH 90pts Leura Park Estate that is what you are Singlefile Great Red apple characters Subtle fruit characters Bellarine Peninsula after.” Southern Pinot mingle with floral notes with a gentle hint of oak Pinot Gris 2022 Grigio 2022 and a light bright varietal and slightly warming HHHH1/2 96pts Hahndorf Hill HHH1/2 93pts palate. $27 finish. $25 A big wine with an Adelaide Hills Lifted apple aromatics Mercer Wines Hunter abundance of fresh Pinot Grigio 2022 with floral touches and Valley Pinot Grigio PINOT GRIS/ pear and apple-like HHHH1/2 96pts a bright fresh palate rich 2022 HHH 91pts GRIGIO primary fruit characters A very pretty floral with pear flavours. $25 Uncomplicated, $30+ supported by some bouquet with a lovely Soumah Single balanced, bright and gentle use of oak and candied ginger touch Vineyard Yarra Valley very subtle style of pinot 16 TASTED good length of acid. $35 and a light bright and Pinot Grigio 2021 grigio. $28 9 AWARDED Hay Shed Hill World very delicate palate with HHH1/2 93pts Series Margaret a lovely long lingering Nose of ripe pears and Another mixed group River Pinot Gris line of acid. $25 quinces with a trace of with many different 2022 HHHH 94pts almonds and a sweet styles. “If you are Oak obvious on the nose rich and very textured going to spend this with pears underneath. palate. $28 amount of money you Richness and texture to need to know what the palate with intense you are getting,” said flavours. $30 one judge. “Some had complexity, some had oak and others showing lees development, the best results were when all these came together.” Check out those wines the judges recommended! Sew & Sew 'Sashiko' Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2022 HHH 91pts Pleasant golden apple aromas and well- integrated palate in the savoury spectrum. $28 JUDGES Simon Parker Sam Watkins Ran Li Senior winemaker and Winemaking Director Marketing consultant for winery manager with at Watkins Family Vinox. Formerly owner of Haselgrove Wines. A Wine, offering contract McIvor Estate. Master of Kiwi, born in Gisborne, processing services in the Wine Business Uni SA and he has also been a Adelaide Hills. Associate Level 4 WSET graduate. “flying winemaker” judge at Royal Adelaide, Current MW candidate. in France for two Langhorne Creek, McLaren vintages. Previous Vale and Clare. Chair of positions were at the Langhorne Creek Pirramimma and Winemaking Committee. Buronga Hill wineries. B.Sc Oenology, AWAC, WSET3. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 63

PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO Fullylove Allegiance Wines STAR RATINGS  Tumbarumba Emily Jane Pinot Grigio 2022 Tumbarumba Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of HHH1/2 93pts Pinot Grigio 2022 excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Aromas of figs and HHH 91pts All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry quinces with a big solid Sweet perfumed red professionals and are compared in peer palate and persistent apple nose and a clean classes by three judges. phenolic complexity. $30 uncomplicated and CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Foxey's Hangout subtle fruit palate. $30 a major mail-order business. Morning Sun Jack Rabbit CD Cellar door price. Vineyard Vineyard Bellarine CDO Cellar door only. Mornington Peninsula SO Sold out. Peninsula Pinot Pinot Grigio 2022 $N/A Price not available at time of printing. Grigio 2022 HHH 91pts  Contact information pg 97. HHH1/2 93pts A subtle hint of varietal Nice use of oak here fruit on the nose and RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). balancing the custard- nicely textured and BEST VALUE for $20 & under. like fruit characters with balanced palate. $35 a whiff of almonds. $40 For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au Bangor Vineyard Totino Wines Altezza Jimmy's Hill Adelaide Hills Tasmania Pinot Gris Pinot Grigio 2021 2022 HHH1/2 92pts HHH 91pts A lift of lychee and pear- Spicy pear-like aromas like primary fruit aromas with light toasty element and lingering sweet fruit and good depth of flavours. $38 stonefruit flavours. $34 Follow us and keep up to date with all our latest wine info, tastings and events on facebook, twitter and instagram. Connect on social with Winestate www.facebook.com/Winestate- Magazine twitter.com/winestateed www.instagram.com/winestate/ www.winestate.com.au 64 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

68 TASTED 48 AWARDED SAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS This is arguably the most distinct white varietal grape with its strong Fox Gordon Sassy Delta Marlborough aromas ranging from passionfruit to grassy overtones to tropical Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc fruits and all things in between, ranging from lighter to full on Sauvignon Blanc 2022 HHHH1/2 versions of intensity. Here we bring you some nice examples to try. 2022 HHH 90pts 96pts Subdued tropical A lovely rich density of SAUVIGNON Music Bay Trentham Estate fragrances with a trace passionfruit fragrances BLANC Marlborough Murray Darling of florals and a sweet here with a powerful UNDER $20 Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc palate but kept in depth of pure sweet 2022 HHHH 95pts 2022 HHH1/2 92pts balance. $19.95 varietal fruit flavours 14 TASTED Tropical fruit bouquet Quite a complex style seamlessly balanced by 9 AWARDED with a grassy edge. Nice sitting in the flinty grassy Fowles Farm To Table the fresh and lively acid. fruit weight on the quite spectrum and supported Victoria Sauvignon $20 “Clean and simple sweet palate but well by a good line of acidity. Blanc 2021 d'Arenberg The wines done well,” said balanced by the acid. $18 HHH 90pts Broken Fishplate one judge. “Great to see $19.90 Saint Clair Origin Subtle bouquet with an Adelaide Hills less sugar than we have Lake Chalice Falcon Marlborough indication of citrus and Sauvignon Blanc seen in the past.” The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc pineapple. Needs time 2021 HHHH1/2 judges agreed that the Sauvignon Blanc 2022 HHH1/2 92pts to assimilate. $19 96pts overall standard here is 2022 HHHH 94pts A mix of both tropical A complex yet elegant excellent for the price. The nose is a pungency and floral aromas with SAUVIGNON sauvignon blanc with of passionfruit and a typical Marlborough BLANC & lengthy fruit intensity Starborough green bean with a good varietal palate. Nice acid BLENDS and lots of passionfruit Sons Of The Soil tight palate, plenty of spine. $19.99 $20-$25 characters spiked with Marlborough length and nice acid line. Sorby Adams Wines peach notes. Quite Sauvignon Blanc $18.99 Gudilly Single 20 TASTED sweet but has the acid 2022 HHHH1/2 Berton Vineyard Vineyard Adelaide 14 AWARDED to handle it. $22 96pts Metal Label Sauvignon Blanc Wise Wine Leaf Typical sauvignon Padthaway 2022 HHH 90pts A range of styles here Series Margaret blanc aromas from this Sauvignon Blanc Fragrances of from the clean and River Sauvignon region – all pungent 2022 HHH1/2 92pts passionfruit and citrus simple to those with Blanc 2021 and passionfruit with A clean bright and with a lightly varietal layers of complexity. HHHH 94pts hints of grapefruit with uncomplicated style palate and a fine acid “These are offering good Developing grassy nose these characters echoed showing a good tropical edge. $18 value overall,” thought with oaky nuances. Slight on the sweet weighty fruit profile with a one judge. oaky characters obvious palate. Big hit of acid. pleasant acid line. $14 on the palate adding $19.95 complexity. $20 Sidewood Estate Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022 HHH1/2 93pts Very varietal aromas – all grassy and passionfruit. Palate has good concentration and weight of fruit. $22 JUDGES Simon Parker Sam Watkins Ran Li Senior winemaker and Winemaking Director Marketing consultant for winery manager with at Watkins Family Vinox. Formerly owner of Haselgrove Wines. A Wine, offering contract McIvor Estate. Master of Kiwi, born in Gisborne, processing services in the Wine Business Uni SA and he has also been a Adelaide Hills. Associate Level 4 WSET graduate. “flying winemaker” judge at Royal Adelaide, Current MW candidate. in France for two Langhorne Creek, McLaren vintages. Previous Vale and Clare. Chair of positions were at the Langhorne Creek Pirramimma and Winemaking Committee. Buronga Hill wineries. B.Sc Oenology, AWAC, WSET3. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 65

SAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS Leefield Station Paracombe Saint Clair Pioneer Peter Teakle Sew & Sew Sashiko Waihopai Valley Adelaide Hills Block 3 Marlborough Wines Killer White Adelaide Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc The Peninsulas Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2022 HHH 91pts 2021 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc 2021 HHH 90pts 2022 HHH1/2 92pts Subtle grassiness lifts 97pts 2022 HHH 91pts Subdued nose; some Tropical nose with a green off the nose and has Plenty of pungent Grassy aromas with a florals and some citrus bean element and a long, quite a sweet fruit driven tropical varietal fruit floral tinge. Sweet in the with a lively lemon bright and complicated palate. $23 fragrances lift off the mouth with an interesting sherbet-like palate. $28 palate. Some residual nose and fill the mouth texture. $25 sweetness. $21.99 NZ Credaro 5 Tales with flavour. The palate Run Free By SAUVIGNON Ponting Wines Margaret River is long and complex Singlefile Great BLANC $30+ First Session Sauvignon Blanc and shows a great fruit Southern Sauvignon Adelaide Hills Semillon 2022 weight. $26.90 Blanc 2022 18 TASTED Sauvignon Blanc HHH 91pts Reillys Watervale HHH 91pts 14 AWARDED 2022 HHH1/2 92pts An interesting blend Clare Valley A floral and stonefruit A good class of Slightly closed nose but showing a complexity Sauvignon Blanc driven nose with a dependable wines. hints of orange blossom of floral and hay-like 2022 HHHH 94pts somewhat broad palate “Intensity of fruit was and sweet spices elements. $24 Somewhat reserved and good fruit weight. $25 more consistent across coming through. Nice for now but developing Tomich Woodside the board here with sherbet-like palate. $23 OTU Marlborough intense passionfruit and Vineyard Adelaide a few complex wines Allandale Winery Sauvignon Blanc pineapple-like varietal Hills Sauvignon that lacked varietal Single Vineyard 2022 HHH 91pts characters on the nose Blanc 2022 characters,” said one Orange Sauvignon A good level of rich and palate. $28 HHH 91pts judge. “Here we see Blanc 2022 and pungent varietal Zonte's Footstep Intense and grassy good everyday white HHH1/2 92pts characters. It’s verging Excalibur Adelaide bouquet developing wines but not typical Grassy nose with on sweet but has Hills Sauvignon tropical notes on a of the variety. Some of capsicum notes. Nice enough acid to handle Blanc 2022 nicely textured varietal the older wines here clean line to the palate it. $24 HHH1/2 93pts palate. $25 set straight the idea that with plenty of length and A long and nicely layered Cat Out Of The Bag sauvignon blanc can’t flavour. $24 Raidis Estate The style with some alcohol Bellarine Peninsula age – at least for a few Verdun Park Wines Kelpie Coonawarra warmth and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc years.” Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc varietal fruit characters. 2020 HHH 91pts Sauvignon Blanc 2022 HHH 90pts $27.50 Flinty floral fragrances Field Day Wine Co. 2021 HHH1/2 92pts A floral nose with grassy Plantagenet and good fruit weight on Monterra Adelaide Flinty and grassy elements pushing Three Lions Great the palate with pleasant Hills Sauvignon bouquet with a floral lift. through. Interesting Southern Sauvignon acidity. $25 Blanc 2022 Warming palate has nice apricot characters on the Blanc 2022 Peerick Pyrenees HHHH 94pts balanced complexity palate. $22 HHH1/2 92pts Fumé Blanc 2020 A lovely fragrant developing. $24 A pretty nose – delicate HHH 91pts lift of lavender with Spy Valley SAUVIGNON tropical and floral aromas A lifted perfumed herbal hints and some Marlborough BLANC & with a somewhat passionfruit and lemon pungency. Interesting Sauvignon Blanc BLENDS savoury character to the curd of a style with good palate rich with fruit 2022 HHH 91pts $25-$30 palate. $26 use of oak. $25.95 flavours. $30 Nice simple pungent Berton Vineyard tropical nose and tight 16 TASTED High Eden well-balanced palate 11 AWARDED Sauvignon Blanc with good line of acid. 2019 HHH1/2 92pts $21.90 NZ The judges commented A honeyed floral Tomich Hill this group represented a complexity developing Adelaide Hills combination of the less on the nose with a good Sauvignon Blanc varietal wines showing concentration of fruit 2022 HHH 91pts more texture to those flavours. $25 Leesy and slightly floral with obvious varietal aromas. Interesting fruit but less flavour. “If palate texture. Good you just want varietal flavour length with tight distinction stay with acidity. $22 the previous class,” suggested one judge. 66 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting Byron & Harold Jack Rabbit Delta Hatters Passel Estate Rags To Riches Vineyard Bellarine Hill Marlborough Margaret River Margaret River Peninsula Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2019 2021 HHH 91pts 2020 HHH 91pts 2022 HHHH 94pts HHHH 94pts A lovely, beautifully Good depth of green Nose has a honeysuckle- Honeyed citrus aromas balanced, example with varietal fruit characters like element and palate and a palate that is silky pure varietal fruit well with passionfruit has good weight of fruit. smooth in the mouth integrated with the elements showing Very flavoursome with a with the sweet fruit acid. $30 through. $32 nice level of acidity. $32 and acid in seamless Forester Estate Yes Said The Seal Moss Brothers balance. $35 Margaret River Bellarine Peninsula Moses Rock Singlefile Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River Single Vineyard 2021 HHH 91pts 2018 HHH 91pts Sauvignon Blanc Porongurup Great Still quite youthful Floral, sweet and spicy 2022 HHHH 94pts Southern Fumé tropical fruit driven style on the nose and smooth Non-typical ripe melon Blanc 2022 with a good level of acid in the mouth. Still has a aromas with a brioche HHH1/2 92pts and nice finish. $30 good level of acid. $38 character. Nice line of A fragrant mix of Saint Clair sweet ripe fruit flavours pineapple and peach. Wairau Reserve STAR RATINGS  lifted by lively acidity. $32 Long and elegant palate Marlborough Bream Creek with quite a complex Sauvignon Blanc Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Vineyard Tasmania flavour profile. $35 2021 HHH 91pts excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Sauvignon Blanc Elysian Springs Intense pungent lift to All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry 2022 HHHH 94pts Pennies From the varietal nose with a professionals and are compared in peer Perfumed passionfruit Heaven Adelaide slightly lean palate and classes by three judges. bouquet with slight Hills Sauvignon lingering acidity. $33.90 CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, nettle-like greenness. Blanc 2022 a major mail-order business. Rich and sweet in the HHH 91pts CD Cellar door price. mouth with fresh and Nose not giving much CDO Cellar door only. lively acid. $33 away at the moment SO Sold out. Peccavi Margaret but has reasonable fruit $N/A Price not available at time of printing. River Sauvignon intensity on the palate.  Contact information pg 97. Blanc 2020 $30 HHHH 94pts Nepenthe Premium RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). Oak driven nose with Adelaide Hills BEST VALUE for $20 & under. some fruit sitting Sauvignon Blanc For a complete list of what we tasted underneath. A distinctly 2022 HHH 91pts please refer to www.winestate.com.au varietal and well- Pungent tropical fruit integrated palate with nose with subtle and fresh acidity. $45 nicely balanced varietal fruit flavours. $30 Visit our website and keep up to date with all our latest wine info, news, competitions, tastings and events. Become a subscriber to enter into our exciting regular competitions. www.winestate.com.au November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 67

ROSÉ 127 TASTED 57 AWARDED ROSÉ What's in a colour? Undoubtedly the most attractive of wine Saint Clair Family styles, rosé delights with varying shades of pink to very light red. Estate Lake Chalice It is the ultimate spring and summer drink which screams out Marlborough Rosé \"enjoy\". Here are some great examples for you to try. 2022 HHH 91pts Zesty melon/peach aromas with delicate fruit flavours and nice zippy acid. $18.99 ROSÉ Duxton Vineyards Bunnamagoo McPherson Wines Fifth Estate Wines UNDER $20 Rewild Sustainably Mount Lawson Aquarius SEA Rosé Geographe Rosé Made Murray Mudgee Rosé 2022 2021 HHHH 94pts 2022 HHH 91pts 27 TASTED Darling Shiraz HHHH1/2 96pts Candied fruit style; Dark almost red in colour 12 AWARDED Rosé 2022 Pale pink hue and pale pink with quite a with musky strawberry HHHH1/2 97pts fresh lifted aromas of lifted nose and a good characters and subtle “A big diversity of A pale salmon wine with strawberries with hints crisp texture to the oak. $19 styles from the pale a very pretty rose petal of cranberries. Lively and flavoursome palate. Tahbilk Dalfarras neutral flavoured wines, bouquet and a fresh fresh in the mouth with $19 Goulburn Valley the darker and more and lively palate with a flavours of strawberries Millon Wines Sangiovese Rosé intensely flavoured, the delicate spicy fruit profile and cherries. $16 The Impressionist 2022 HHH 91pts old school jubey candied and hints of watermelon. Giesen Blush Eden Valley Rosé Quite a subdued versions and some $10 Riesling 2022 HHH1/2 92pts nose but the palate new barrel ferment Marlborough Rosé Musky edge to the has a lovely purity of experimental styles!” 2022 HHHH 95pts raspberry bouquet with strawberry-like flavours. summed up one judge. Aromatic nose a perfectly balanced $19.70 “Keep trying,” was the reminiscent of bath strawberry and cream Ara Single Estate judges’ advice. There salts. Attractive flavours palate. $18 Marlborough Rosé were enough examples of lychees and rose Gapsted Wines 2022 HHH 91pts here worth drinking at a petals with subtle Alpine Road King A green bean character good price. sweetness. $16.99 Valley Rosé 2022 to the nose and quite HHH 91pts complex stonefruit Floral aromas with slight flavours. $19.99 funkiness and a crisp Zilzie Wines Bulloak palate with nice savoury Murray Darling Rosé elements. $18 2022 HHH 90pts Sorby Adams Gudilly Hints of red fruits on the Single Vineyard nose and good up-front Adelaide Rosé 2022 sweetness to the fruity HHH 91pts palate. $10 Rose petal nose with tropical notes and flavoursome fuller style palate. $18 68 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting ROSÉ Bec Hardy Brockenchack Wines Vinaceous Salome Small Victories Wine $20-$25 Adelaide Rosé 2022 Tru-Su Eden Valley Geographe Rosé Co Barossa Valley HHHH 94pts Rosé 2022 2022 HHH 91pts Riverland Rosé 2022 32 TASTED A lifted and well HHH1/2 92pts Tinned fruit salad of HHHH1/2 97pts 12 AWARDED balanced dusky pink A good commercial a nose that follows Just a suggestion of red wine with vibrant style with candied fruit through onto the apples and strawberries The judges noted that delicacy of wild aromas and sweet warming palate. $22 on the nose with upfront the better wines here strawberry-like aromas upfront red berry sweet red apple flavours were a step-up from and flavours. $20 flavours. $22 Te Awanga Estate on the nicely textured the previous flight, Tahbilk Nagambie Gilberts Mount Wildsong Hawke's palate, well balanced by but the rest were a Lakes Grenache Barker Great Bay Rosé 2022 the acid. $27 step sideways or even Mourvedre Rosé Southern Rosé 2022 HHH 90pts down. Again, the lesser 2022 HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts Honeysuckle-like Bunnamagoo wines simply lacked Smells like a musk stick Fruit driven nose with intensity to the nose and Mudgee Rosé 2022 fruit intensity and a few with strawberry traces lavender nuances. Good crisp watermelon flavour HHHH1/2 97pts showed sweet/sour and a delicate lift of stonefruit flavour profile. profile. $21.99 A gentle purity of lychee characters. watermelon-like flavours. Nice tannin structure. $23 and rose petal-like Good acidity. $21.40 Ricca Terra 22 ROSÉ 2022 characters on the nose The Grapes of Claymore Wines Degree Halo $25-$30 with a subtle red apple/ Ross Ruby Tuesday Whole Lotta Love Riverland Rosé 2022 red berry flavour profile Barossa Valley Langhorne Creek HHH 91pts 36 TASTED and a long lingering Rosé 2022 Rosé 2022 Simple and fresh with 22 AWARDED finish. $28 HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH 94pts lifted peach-like nose Sorby Adams Interesting nose, Strawberry bouquet and nice savouriness to A more consistent line- Jazz Eden Valley smells like fresh with a zesty lime-like the palate. $20 up with more weight Rosé 2022 rhubarb. Bright and edge and a sweet citrus Nepenthe Altitude and drive. “These are HHHH1/2 96pts lively in the mouth with driven palate, almost Adelaide Hills Rosé more defined rosés, Citrusy/lemonade-like delicate strawberry riesling-like. $22 2022 HHH 91pts rather than being characters lift off the notes and lovely, Taylors Estate Delicate and very floral afterthoughts,” agreed nose. Lovely intensity slightly drying, palate Adelaide Hills style with good balance the judges. of red apple-like texture. $22 Pinot Noir Rosé of fruit to weight of flavours that are nicely 2022 HHHH 94pts wine. $22 Forester Estate balanced by some Millon Wines A potpourri of a nose Margaret River crunchy acidity. $25 Clare's Secret Clare with a nougat-like edge. Rosé 2022 Valley Rosé 2022 Very candied musky fruit HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH1/2 96pts flavours with a crisp acid Pretty vibrant pink Rich but delicate floral backbone. $22 wine with fragrances fruit fragrances and good of fresh strawberries richness with subtle and raspberries and a sweetness to the fruit delicacy of fruit on the salad-like palate that is sweet but seamlessly nicely balanced by the balanced palate. $25 acid. $20 Taylor Made Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 HHHH1/2 97pts The nose exhibits fragrances of fresh rhubarb with a delicate persistence of crunchy apple flavours laced with pretty floral notes. Subtle, but has drive. $25 JUDGES Mark Solomon Greg Clack Liz Heidenreich Scientist with AWRI. Executive winemaker for Winemaker, Peter Teakle Member of Technical Chain of Ponds wines. Wines. Previously a & Quality panel Has completed the AWRI winemaker for Sevenhill of the Institute. (AWEC) intensive wine Cellars. Has completed ten Completed the judging course. Previously vintages including four in Advanced Wine winemaker at Haselgrove Portugal. Associate judge, Assessment Course wines and Koppamurra Clare Valley Wine Show. and Wine Show wines. Judge at Adelaide Hills and Judging Course. Small Winemakers shows. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 69

ROSÉ Thorn-Clarke Field Day Wine Co. Risky Business Saint Clair Family Bangor Maria Sandpiper Barossa Colab and Bloom Great Southern Rosé Estate Pioneer Block Tasmania Rosé 2022 Rosé 2022 South Australia 2022 HHH 90pts Marlborough Rosé HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Rosé 2022 Smells of fresh pears 2021 HHH 91pts Lifted sweet cherry A melange of red apple HHH1/2 92pts and red apple and shows Nose and palate have bouquet with a pretty and wild strawberry Crisp and delicate spicy a nice savouriness on upfront rhubarb-like floral edge and a lovely aromas with a trace of red fruit aromas and the palate. $25 characters with floral long and beautifully pears, all of which is flavours with a nice nuances. $26.90 textured palate echoed on the nicely creamy texture to the Uleybury Wines brimming over with sour textured palate. Good palate. $25 Porky Blinders Mt ROSÉ $30+ cherry-like flavours with level of sweetness. $25 Z Wine [AVELINE] Lofty Ranges Rosé a good level of acid. $42 Artwine Temptress Barossa Valley 2022 HHH 90pts 17 TASTED Weathercraft Wine Single Vineyard Saignee Rosé 2022 Luminescent pink wine 8 AWARDED Whole Bunch Adelaide Hills HHH1/2 92pts with a floral nose and Some peaks here with Beechworth Rosé 2022 Jubey cherry fruit beautifully textured red a step-up in quality and Rosé 2022 HHHH1/2 96pts fragrances and a pretty berry palate. $27 style. “Here we saw HHHH1/2 96pts Floral red fruit nose confectionery fruit palate purity of rosewater-like Such pretty floral fruit with a hint of musk- with good length and Foxeys Hangout fruit with some nice fragrances and exhibiting like characters. Nicely texture. $25 Morning Sun ‘crunchiness’ said one subtle Turkish Delight- uncomplicated palate Anvers Razorback Vineyard judge. A few pushed like flavour complexity with a subtle delicacy of Road Adelaide Hills Mornington the ripeness or were on the lovely long palate red fruit flavours showing Rosé 2022 Peninsula Rosé 2022 too green with the with mouth-watering hints of pears. $27 HHH 91pts HHH 90pts varietal characters more acidity. $32 Marley Farm South Lovely purity of red fruit Nose is a delicacy of like that of white wines Iron Gate Estate Australia Rosé 2022 characters here with florals and citrus zest rather than rosés.” Hunter Valley HHHH 95pts a textured edge and with mouthfilling red Cabernets Rosé Pale salmon hue with persistent length. $25 fruit flavours. $28 Short Stories by 2022 HHHH 95pts subtle cherry bouquet Hahndorf Hill James Kalleske Musk sticks and red and a sweet richness Adelaide Hills Rosé ROSÉ Wines Barossa Valley apples on the nose of strawberry and 2022 HHH 91pts 2021 & OLDER Rosé 2022 with a generous palate stonefruit flavours. Zesty red fruit $25-$30 HHHHH 98pts showing a great linear $27.50 fragrances with a A very attractive rose fruit flavour profile. $30 Erin Eyes Celtic savoury edge and 15 TASTED that has power and Jack Rabbit Cross Clare Valley a subtle strawberry 3 AWARDED flavour and shows Vineyard Bellarine Cabernet Rosé 2022 palate. $25 a lovely texture and Peninsula Rosé 2021 HHHH 94pts Koonara Wines Apart from a very length with a delicate HHHH 94pts Sweet wild strawberries Emily May Mount few wines the judges combination of crisp A flavoursome mix of lift off the nose and has Gambier Rosé 2022 found this to be a very watermelon, pear and quince, currants and a bright, lively and full HHH 91pts disappointing group of red apple characters. $30 floral-like characters flavoured strawberry Candied raspberry wines. “Some wines with pleasant phenolic driven palate. $25 bouquet with a very showed bitterness from notes. $35 Michelini Alpine juicy upfront strawberry pressings where the Glandore White Valleys Nebbiolo and cream palate. $25 winemakers were trying Label Hunter Valley Rosé 2022 Paulett Wines to add more flavour. Rosé 2022 HHHH 94pts Clare Valley Others were either too HHH1/2 92pts Lively fresh and delicate Sangiovese Rosé sweet or unbalanced or Slightly warm wine with lovely length and 2022 HHH 91pts simply lacked flavour.” showing great savoury balance and a floral fruit Pungent grassy nose red currant-like profile of rose petals and with slight strawberry Audrey Wilkinson characters with nougat jasmine. $25 notes and lively upfront Hunter Valley Rosé notes. $32 Bethany Wines First sweet palate. $28 2021 HHHHH 98pts Foxeys Hangout Village Barossa Vinaceous Quinces and Morning Sun Valley Rosé 2022 Handmade Margaret strawberries lift off the Vineyard HHHH 94pts River Rosé 2022 nose with just a hint of Mornington Floral strawberry HHH 91pts peach. Palate has a fine Peninsula Ramato nose with quince-like Strawberry and lime apple crunch to it with a Rosé 2022 elements. Nice tannin zest characters abound lovely slippery texture, HHH 91pts structure to the palate with a pleasant savoury fresh sweetness and Lime fragrances with a with upfront sweet element. $28 good acid drive. $25 perfumed lift and lively fruit. $28 cherry flavours with PepperGreen Estate peppery notes. $35 Indigo Beechworth Berrima Blush Yes Said The Seal Rosé 2022 Southern Highlands Bellarine Peninsula HHH 90pts Rosé 2021 Rosé 2021 Nice tropical characters to HHH 91pts HHH 91pts the nose that is echoed Candied raspberry Floral red fruit nose with on the palate with a bouquet and a nice length a savoury edge that warming finish. $25 of sweet strawberry and follows through onto the cream flavours. $25 palate. $35 70 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

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83 TASTED 83 RECOMMENDED MICHAEL COOPER RECENT RELEASES There’s something for everyone in the latest releases from New Clos Henri Loveblock Zealand. White wine lovers can choose between outstanding Marlborough Marlborough examples of Marlborough sauvignon blanc, Central Otago riesling Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc and Hawke's Bay chardonnay. You’ll also find a very classy sparkling 2021 HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHHH1/2 wine, dessert wine and rosé. Red wine lovers will discover Showing strong 97pts memorable pinot noirs from Central Otago and Waipara, in North personality, this Unfolding well, this Canterbury, plus striking syrahs, cabernet sauvignon and merlot vigorous, single-vineyard estate-grown, organic from the warm, exceptionally dry 2020 vintage in Hawke's Bay. wine was estate-grown Awatere Valley wine in the Wairau Valley and was mostly handled in Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available partly (15%) fermented stainless steel tanks, in export markets are shown as (A) Australia; (UK) and (US). in old French oak barrels. but 35% was fermented Bright, light lemon/ in clay amphorae, oak Star ratings and reviews are awarded by Michael Cooper with green, with a fragrant, barrels and concrete comparable points allocated by the Winestate Editor. inviting bouquet, it eggs. Bright, light is mouthfilling, with lemon/green, it has rich, ripe, tropical fruit good personality, flavours, showing with mouthfilling a distinct touch of body, strong, ripely complexity, fresh acidity, herbaceous flavours, and a dry, finely poised showing considerable finish. Drink now or complexity, and a crisp, cellar. $32 (A, UK, US) dry finish. $27 SAUVIGNON 3sixty2 Marlborough Stoneleigh Zephyr Organic BLANC Sauvignon Blanc Rapaura Series Marlborough 2019 HHHHH 98pts Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 20 TASTED Delicious now, this Marlborough 2022 HHHH1/2 20 RECOMMENDED distinctive, single- Sauvignon Blanc 96pts vineyard wine was 2022 HHHHH 98pts Certified organic, this This strong class ranged fermented and matured Bright, light lemon/ estate-grown, single- from 2022 vintage for 18 months in a green, this classic, vineyard wine was wines back to 2019, and 2,500-litres oak cuve. Rapaura district style grown at Dillons Point. featured a stimulating Bright, light lemon/ has a ripely herbaceous Bright, light lemon/ array of styles, from green, it is savoury, with bouquet. Full-bodied, green, it is mouthfilling, punchy, aromatic, an invitingly fragrant, it has concentrated, with very good intensity fruit-packed bottlings to complex bouquet. tropical fruit flavours, of vigorous, ripely more complex, partly or Tightly structured, it is deep and dry, balanced herbaceous flavours, fully barrel-fermented medium-bodied, with acidity and a lively, fresh, crisp, dry and wines. Fermentation very fresh, vigorous, lasting finish. $25 lingering. Best drinking with indigenous (‘native’) ripely herbal flavours, Zephyr Mk111 mid-2023+. $25 yeasts, handling in showing excellent Marlborough Loveblock Tee clay amphorae and delicacy, complexity and Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough concrete eggs, and even length. $29 2021 HHHHH 98pts Sauvignon Blanc the use of tea rather This distinctive, 2021 HHHH 95pts than sulphur as an Awatere River complex, wood-aged This highly distinctive antioxidant, add further Marlborough wine is full-bodied and wine was estate-grown diversity to the current Sauvignon Blanc finely textured. Sweet- in the lower Awatere releases of New Zealand 2022 HHHHH 98pts fruited and savoury, it Valley and handled sauvignon blanc. This classy young wine has deep, ripe, tropical without sulphur, using has strong personality. fruit flavours, finely green tea as a natural Grown at three sites in integrated oak and a antioxidant. Certified the Awatere Valley, it is dry, lasting finish. Best organic, it is light gold, invitingly aromatic, racy drinking mid-2023+. $32 full-bodied and fleshy, and intense, in a strongly with ripe, tropical fruit varietal style with tropical flavours, showing good fruit and herbaceous intensity, and a dry, flavours, finely poised smooth finish. $30 (A, and lingering. $23 (A, UK, US) UK, US) 72 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

recent releases Main Divide Brancott Estate Sileni Cellar Kono Marlborough Stoneleigh Wild North Canterbury Marlborough Selection Sauvignon Blanc Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 HHH 90pts Pinot Gris 2021 2022 HHHH 95pts 2022 HHH1/2 93pts Sauvignon Blanc Lively and strongly HHHH1/2 97pts Full of youthful vigour, This aromatic, 2022 HHH1/2 92pts varietal, this freshly Fermented with this mouthfilling, clearly appetisingly crisp wine This medium-bodied herbaceous wine has indigenous (‘wild’) varietal wine has good is medium-bodied and wine was grown in the good depth of citrusy, yeasts, this very intensity of passionfruit strongly varietal, with Awatere and Wairau appley flavours and a inviting wine is a top and lime flavours, crisp passionfruit, grapefruit valleys. Pale lemon/ crisp, dry finish. $18 buy. Showing strong and dry. (From Pegasus and lime flavours, fresh, green, it is aromatic, personality, it is full- Bay.) $22 (A, UK) herbal notes and lots of with very good depth PINOT GRIS bodied, with strong, Sacred Hill youthful vigour. $14 of crisp, lively, tropical peachy, vaguely honeyed Marlborough Haha Marlborough fruit and herbaceous 12 TASTED flavours, showing Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc flavours. Best drinking 12 RECOMMENDED a distinct touch of 2022 HHHH 94pts 2022 HHH1/2 93pts mid-2023+. $17 complexity, and a slightly Priced very sharply, this Freshly aromatic, this Stoneleigh Mostly from South sweet, very harmonious vibrant Wairau Valley is a strongly varietal Marlborough Island regions, these finish. Delicious young. wine is full-bodied, with wine. Medium-bodied, Sauvignon Blanc wines revealed good $18 strong, tropical fruit it has very good depth 2022 HHH1/2 92pts varietal character, Zephyr Marlborough flavours to the fore, a of melon and green This lively, medium vibrancy and depth, Pinot Gris 2022 herbal undercurrent, capsicum flavours, to full-bodied wine with indigenous yeasts, HHHH1/2 97pts and a crisp, dry, finely crisp and finely is pale lemon/green, lees-aging and the use This single-vineyard balanced finish. $15 balanced. $18 with punchy, tropical of different fermentation wine is attractively Stoneleigh Organic River Farm fruit flavours to vessels adding extra scented and strongly Marlborough Marlborough the fore, a distinct layers of flavour to the varietal. Full-bodied, it Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc hint of passionfruit, top wines. has vibrant pear, lychee 2021 HHHH 94pts 2022 HHH1/2 93pts a herbaceous and spice flavours, Maturing gracefully, Fresh and punchy, this is undercurrent and crisp Wild Earth fractional sweetness, this is a classic Rapaura a strongly varietal wine. acidity. $17 Central Otago and excellent depth, style, with mouthfilling Aromatic, it is youthful Stoneleigh Wild Pinot Gris 2022 delicacy and harmony. body and very good and lively, with melon Valley Marlborough HHHH1/2 97pts Best drinking 2024+. depth of fresh, ripe, and green capsicum Sauvignon Blanc Revealing good delicacy $24 tropical fruit flavours, flavours, showing 2022 HHH1/2 92pts and richness, this very Awatere River crisp, dry and lively. good depth, and a Fermented with youthful wine was Marlborough Certified organic. $20 crisp, dry finish. (From indigenous yeasts grown at Queensberry Pinot Gris 2020 Tohu Awatere Starborough.) $20 (hence the ‘Wild Valley’), (62%) and Alexandra HHHH 95pts Valley Marlborough this wine is already very (38%), and partly Drinking well now, this Sauvignon Blanc open and expressive. (42%) fermented in old full-bodied wine has 2022 HHHH 94pts Bright yellow/green, barrels. Bright, light generous, ripe, peachy, This vigorous, zingy, it is mouthfilling, with lemon/green, it is fresh spicy flavours, a hint of tightly structured wine generous, ripe, tropical and full-bodied, with ginger, and a basically has generous tropical fruit flavours, crisp, dry vigorous pear, lychee dry finish, fresh and fruit and herbaceous and vaguely honeyed. and spice flavours, crisp. $23 (A, UK) flavours, with a dry, $18 showing a distinct touch appetisingly crisp finish. Anchorage Nelson of complexity, balanced Best drinking mid-2013+. Sauvignon Blanc acidity and a basically $18 2022 HHH 91pts dry finish. $30 (A) Whitehaven This frisky, medium- Marlborough bodied wine has Sauvignon Blanc vibrant, citrusy, slightly 2022 HHHH 94pts appley flavours and a Still unfolding, this lively, green-edged, dryish, full-bodied wine has very appetisingly crisp finish. good vigour and depth of $19 (A, UK, US) fresh, ripely herbaceous flavours. Best drinking mid-2023+. $22 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 73

MICHAEL COOPER Bald Hills Kirameki River Farm Stoneleigh Bald Hills Last Light Church Road Grand Central Otago Marlborough Marlborough Single Vineyard Reserve Hawke's Pinot Gris 2021 Pinot Gris 2022 Pinot Gris 2022 Bannockburn Bay Chardonnay HHHH 95pts HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts Central Otago 2020 HHHHH 98pts Offering very easy Drinking well in its This fresh, medium- Riesling 2021 Unfolding gracefully, drinking, this hand- youth, this bright, light bodied wine is pale HHHH1/2 97pts this is a great buy. harvested wine is lemon/green wine is lemon/green, with lively Already enjoyable, this Hand-harvested and scented and full-bodied, fresh, lively and full- lychee, pear and spice medium-bodied wine barrel-fermented, it is with strongly varietal, bodied, with very good flavours, in a very easy- is invitingly scented, a powerful, youthful pear and lychee flavours, depth of peach, pear drinking style. $17 with good intensity wine with mouthfilling hints of lemons and and spice flavours, of citrusy, slightly body, fresh acidity and apples, and an off-dry, and a slightly off-dry RIESLING peachy flavours, full of concentrated stonefruit smooth finish. $30 (A) finish. Best drinking youthful vigour, gentle flavours, toasty and mid-2023+. (From 4 TASTED sweetness and finely complex. Showing lovely Haha Hawke's Bay Starborough.) $20 4 RECOMMENDED balanced acidity. Best richness, vigour and Pinot Gris 2022 The Elder drinking 2024+. $30 harmony, it should be at HHHH 94pts Martinborough New Zealand riesling its best mid-2023+. $34 Offering good value, Pinot Gris 2022 has been slow to win an Loveblock Awatere River this medium to full- HHHH 94pts international profile, but Marlborough Dry Marlborough bodied wine is drinking This distinctly some of Central Otago’s Riesling 2020 Chardonnay 2019 well in its youth. ‘alternative’ style top labels show just HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH1/2 97pts Bright, light lemon/ of pinot gris was how compelling riesling Unfolding well, this is A drink-now or cellaring green, it is attractively given 11 days of skin can be, grown in the a bright, light yellow/ proposition, this French scented, with good contact, fermented southern region’s cool, green, estate-grown oak-fermented wine concentration of ripe with indigenous yeasts dry climate. Awatere Valley wine. has cool-climate vigour. pear and spice flavours, in open top French Medium to full-bodied, Bright, light yellow/ a hint of apricot and a barriques, oak-aged for Domain Road it has good intensity of green, it is mouthfilling, dryish finish. $18 four months, and bottled Duffers Creek peachy, lemony, appley with rich, stonefruit Loveblock unfined and unfiltered. Bannockburn flavours, balanced acidity flavours, seasoned with Marlborough Pale orange, with a Riesling 2019 and a slightly off-dry, toasty oak, very good Pinot Gris 2021 tannin grip, it is savoury HHHHH 98pts lingering finish. Best complexity and balanced HHHH 94pts and characterful, with This finely poised, drinking 2023+. $27 acidity. $30 Enjoyable young, this concentrated, peachy, intense wine was Brancott Estate organically certified, spicy flavours, a hint of crafted in a medium CHARDONNAY Letter Series ‘O’ estate-grown, Awatere apricot, and a crisp, dry style. Bright, light Marlborough Valley wine was finish. $50 lemon/green, it has 12 TASTED Chardonnay 2021 principally handled in Tohu Awatere vibrant, penetrating, 12 RECOMMENDED HHHH1/2 97pts tanks, but 20% was Valley Marlborough peachy flavours, a gentle This young wine offers fermented in a mix of old Pinot Gris 2022 splash of sweetness, Hawke's Bay’s weighty, great value. From a French oak barrels and HHHH 94pts mouth-watering acidity, richly flavoured vineyard on the south a concrete egg. Bright, This fresh, full-bodied and excellent depth and chardonnays enjoy side of the Wairau light lemon/green, it wine is vibrantly fruity, harmony. Drink now or the highest profile in Valley, it is mouthfilling, is attractively scented, with a very good depth cellar. $27 New Zealand, but as with excellent vigour fresh and medium- of pear, lychee and shown in this tasting, and intensity of ripe bodied, with very good spice flavours, and a Domain Road the southern regions, stonefruit flavours, depth of lively peach, dry, finely balanced The Water Race including Marlborough and toasty oak adding pear and lychee flavours, finish. Best drinking Bannockburn Dry and Central Otago, are complexity. Best a touch of complexity mid-2023+. $18 Riesling 2020 also producing classy, drinking 2024+. $25 and a slightly off-dry, Anchorage Nelson HHHHH 98pts distinctly cool-climate Church Road harmonious finish. $30 Pinot Gris 2022 This fresh, vigorous, styles. McDonald Series HHH1/2 93pts intensely varietal wine Hawke's Bay This youthful, medium- should be long-lived. Church Road 1 Chardonnay 2021 bodied wine was tank- Highly scented, it is Single Vineyard HHHH1/2 97pts fermented and briefly medium-bodied, with Terraces This youthful, mostly lees-aged. Vibrantly incisive, lemony, appley Chardonnay 2021 hand-harvested wine fruity, it has very good flavours, firm acid spine, HHHHH 98pts was fermented with depth of pear, lychee and a dryish, lasting Still a baby, this tightly indigenous yeasts in and apple flavours, finish. Best drinking structured wine was French oak barrels. with gentle sweetness 2025+. $27 estate-grown in the Tuki Bright, light yellow/ balanced by fresh Tuki Valley and fermented green, it is mouthfilling, acidity. Best drinking and matured in French oak with concentrated, mid-2023+. $20 (A, casks (30% new). Bright, peachy, toasty flavours, UK, US) light yellow/green, with a showing very good fragrant, smoky bouquet, complexity, and fresh it is mouthfilling, with acidity. Best drinking peachy, citrusy, toasty 2024+. $25 flavours, concentrated and vigorous, and a crisp, lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2024+. $100 74 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

recent releases Domain Road Stoneleigh Wild GEWURZTRAMINER Clos Henri Vineyard Spade Oak V Le Defiance Valley Marlborough 1 TASTED Chapel Block Blanc Champ NZ Prosecco Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 1 RECOMMENDED de Noirs 2019 2022 HHHH 94pts Central Otago HHHH 95pts HHHHH 98pts From ‘the first New Chardonnay 2020 Fermented with Loveblock Worth discovering, this Zealand-grown prosecco HHHH1/2 97pts indigenous (‘wild’) Marlborough distinctive, pale pink/ grapes’, this bottle- Already drinking well, yeasts, this characterful, Gewürztraminer orange Marlborough fermented Gisborne this single-vineyard wine bright yellow/green 2021 HHHH 95pts wine was made from wine was disgorged was barrel-fermented. wine is already drinking This fresh, invitingly estate-grown, single after one month’s aging Lemon-scented, it has well. Full-bodied, it perfumed wine was block pinot noir. The on its yeast lees. Very strong, ripe, citrusy, has generous, peachy, estate-grown in the bouquet is highly easy drinking, it is peachy flavours, mealy, slightly toasty flavours, lower Awatere Valley. fragrant, strawberryish refreshingly light and savoury notes adding vaguely buttery notes, Bright, light lemon/ and yeasty; the palate lively, with very good complexity, and a slightly and a dry, crisp finish. green, it is medium- intense, with vigorous, depth of citrusy, appley buttery finish. $32 Fine value. $18 bodied, with strong, peachy, spicy, yeasty flavours, fresh acidity Stoneleigh Rapaura Zephyr Marlborough vibrant, peachy, flavours, showing and a dry finish. A Series Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 spicy flavours, slight excellent depth, and a promising debut. $25 Chardonnay 2021 HHHH 95pts sweetness, moderate dry, lingering finish. $43 HHHH1/2 96pts This single-vineyard wine acidity and a very Haha Brut Cuvée NV ROSÉ This generous, single- was grown at Dillons smooth, harmonious HHHH 94pts vineyard wine offers Point, hand-picked, finish. $27 Priced right, this blend 8 TASTED fine value. Light lemon/ and fermented and of chardonnay and pinot 8 RECOMMENDED green, it is mouthfilling, matured in large French SWEET WHITE noir is from Marlborough with rich, ripe stonefruit oak casks. Certified WINE base wines, up to five Rosé is New Zealand’s flavours to the fore, organic, it is vigorous years old, handled by fastest-growing wine gentle toasty notes, and youthful, with crisp, 1 TASTED the ‘Charmat’ method. style, rising in quality balanced acidity, good citrusy flavours, gentle 1 RECOMMENDED Bright, light lemon/ from one vintage to complexity and a finely mealy, buttery and green, it has a freshly the next. Marlborough, balanced finish. $25 biscuity notes adding Church Road Grand scented, gently yeasty Martinborough and complexity, and a tightly Reserve Noble bouquet. Crisp and Central Otago wines Stoneleigh Latitude structured finish. Best Hawke's Bay Pinot vigorous, it is finely shone in the tasting, Marlborough drinking mid-2023+. $32 Gris 2021 (375ml) balanced, with very typically based on pinot Chardonnay 2021 Haha Hawke's Bay HHHHH 98pts good depth of lively, noir. HHHH 95pts Chardonnay 2021 This lush, full-bodied citrusy, yeasty, biscuity Estate-grown at HHH1/2 92pts dessert wine was flavours, showing Rapaura, this is a highly A drink-young charmer, estate-grown at a distinct touch of approachable wine. this full-bodied wine Matapiro, hand- complexity, and a dryish Bright, light lemon/ is a ‘fruit-driven’ harvested, and finish. $21 green, it is full-bodied, style, with generous fermented with with strong, youthful, stonefruit flavours to indigenous yeasts in Haha Brut Rosé NV ripe, peachy flavours, the fore, a distinct touch French and Hungarian HHHH 94pts finely integrated oak, of complexity and a oak casks. Golden, it Bright, light pink, savoury notes adding creamy-smooth finish. is highly fragrant, with this chardonnay and complexity and fresh Best drinking 2023+. concentrated, peachy, pinot noir blend was acidity. Best drinking $18 gently honeyed flavours, grown in Marlborough mid-2023+. $20 Anchorage Nelson an oily texture, and and Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021 lovely complexity and and handled by the HHH 91pts harmony. $40 ‘Charmat’ method. Crisp Drinking well in its and very lively, it has youth, this single- SPARKLING gentle strawberry and vineyard wine was WINE watermelon flavours, fermented in a 50/50 slightly peachy and split of tanks and oak 4 TASTED yeasty notes, very puncheons. Pale gold, 4 RECOMMENDED good delicacy and a it has good depth finely balanced, dryish, of peachy, citrusy lingering finish. $22 flavours, showing some complexity, and a fresh, Awatere River crisp finish. $20 (A, Spindrift Pinot Noir UK, US) Rosé 2021 HHHHH 98pts Fragrant and fresh, this bright, light pink Marlborough wine is very lively, with strong peach, watermelon and spice flavours, crisp, dry and sustained. $34 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 75

MICHAEL COOPER The Elder Zephyr Mk1 Greystone Vineyard Main Divide Domain Road Martinborough Rosé Marlborough Rosé Ferment Pinot Noir Te Hau Reserve Bannockburn 2022 HHHHH 98pts 2022 HHHH 94pts 2020 HHHHH 98pts North Canterbury Central Otago This delicious pinot noir Pale pink, this This savoury, silky- Pinot Noir 2021 Pinot Noir 2020 rosé was estate-grown vibrant wine is still textured red was HHHH1/2 97pts HHHH1/2 97pts at Te Muna, tank- very youthful. It has estate-grown at Waipara, Offering great value, this This floral, elegant red fermented and aged generous peach, in North Canterbury, bright, deep ruby red was hand-harvested for three months in old watermelon and spice fermented outside in the has a fragrant, savoury and matured for 10 oak. Pale pink, it is fresh flavours, showing vineyard with indigenous bouquet. Barrique- months in French oak and full-bodied, with excellent delicacy and yeasts, barrel-aged for aged for a year, it is casks (30% new). Full, generous strawberry freshness, and a crisp 15 months, and bottled mouthfilling and supple, bright ruby, it is vibrantly and spice flavours, finish. Open mid- unfined and unfiltered. with concentrated, ripe fruity, with generous, complex, savoury and 2023+. $28 Deeply coloured, it is cherry, plum and spice cherryish, plummy, dry. $35 (A) mouthfilling, supple flavours, gentle acidity, spicy, slightly nutty Wild Earth Central Koparepare and very harmonious, and a complex, smooth, flavours, fresh acidity, Otago Pinot Noir Marlborough Pinot with a lovely spread of very harmonious finish. supple tannins and good Rosé 2022 Noir Rosé 2022 generous cherry, plum, Forward in its appeal, harmony. Best drinking HHHH1/2 97pts HHH1/2 93pts spice and nut flavours. it should be at its best 2024+. $42 (A, UK) This bright pink, Bright, light pink, this Already delicious, it mid-2023+. (From Awatere River attractively scented vibrant wine is light and should be at its best Pegasus Bay.) $33 Marlborough wine was grown at smooth, with gentle, 2024+. $90 Folding Hill Bendigo Pinot Noir 2019 Pisa. Already delicious, peachy, strawberryish, Greystone Organic Central Otago HHHH 95pts it is very fresh, vibrant spicy flavours, fresh Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2020 Drinking well now, this and smooth, with ripe, acidity, and plenty of drink- North Canterbury HHHH1/2 97pts bright ruby red was cherryish, plummy young charm. $19 Pinot Noir 2019 This youthful, deep matured in French oak flavours, a bare hint of HHHHH 98pts ruby red was estate- barriques. Fragrant and sweetness, lively acidity PINOT NOIR This organically certified grown, hand-picked, full-bodied, it has very and a finely poised red is still unfolding, but barrel-aged, and bottled good depth of cherry, finish. $30 (A) 13 TASTED already delicious. Hand- unfined and unfiltered. plum and spice flavours, Awatere River 13 RECOMMENDED picked and matured for Full-bodied, sweet- savoury notes adding Marlborough Pinot 16 months in French fruited and savoury, it complexity, fresh acidity Noir Rosé 2022 Central Otago enjoys oak barriques (31% has vibrant cherry, plum, and ripe, supple tannins. HHHH1/2 96pts the highest profile in new), it is bright ruby spice and nutty oak $27 (A, UK, US) Vivacious and attractively New Zealand for pinot and mouthfilling, with flavours, showing very Loveblock Central scented, this bright, light noir, and the region’s deep cherry, plum and good concentration and Otago Pinot Noir pink wine has generous reds shone in the spice flavours, complex, complexity, and obvious 2021 HHHH 94pts peach, strawberry, tasting. However, North savoury, supple and potential. Best drinking Offering very easy watermelon and spice Canterbury (especially) harmonious. Best 2024+. $45 (UK) drinking, this wine was flavours, balanced acidity and Marlborough also drinking 2024+. $42 Bald Hills 90% estate-grown and a dryish, lively, performed well. Clos Henri Single Vineyard at Bendigo and partly lingering finish. $23 Marlborough Bannockburn oak-aged. Bright ruby, it Church Road Gwen Domain Road Pinot Noir 2018 Central Otago is fresh, full-bodied and Hawke's Bay Rosé Paradise Single HHHH1/2 97pts Pinot Noir 2018 supple, with generous, 2021 HHHH 95pts Vineyard This organically certified HHHH1/2 97pts ripe fruit flavours to Bright pink, this fresh, Bannockburn red is drinking well now. Still unfolding, this the fore, savoury notes lively wine is medium- Pinot Noir 2018 Estate-grown, hand- hand-harvested wine adding complexity and bodied, with strong berry, HHHHH 98pts picked and matured for was matured for a year a smooth finish. $37 (A, watermelon, peach and This attractively a year in French oak in French oak barriques UK, US) strawberry flavours, and perfumed, savoury red barrels (20% new), it is (29% new). Full, bright Zephyr Organic a slightly spicy, dry finish. was aged for 15 months ruby hued, with a hint ruby, it is fragrant, full- Marlborough It’s drinking well now. in French oak casks of maturity. Full-bodied, bodied, sweet-fruited Pinot Noir 2021 $25 (33% new). Deep ruby, it it has berry, spice, and savoury, with rich, HHHH 94pts Whitehaven has concentrated cherry, herb and nut flavours, ripe cherry, plum and Full of drink-young Marlborough Pinot plum and spice flavours, complex and savoury. spice flavours, showing charm, this elegant, Noir Rosé 2022 seasoned with nutty $43 (A, UK, US) good complexity, and organically certified HHHH 94pts oak, fresh acidity and a fairly firm finish. Best red was grown in the Very pale pink, this lively, good tannin backbone. drinking 2024+. $46 (A) Southern Valleys. Bright racy wine was grown Already delicious, it ruby, it is fresh, lively in the Wairau Valley should mature well for a and medium-bodied, and Southern Valleys decade. $85 with ripe cherry, plum sub-regions. Medium- and spice flavours, bodied, it is vivacious, showing some savoury with watermelon, peach complexity, supple and spice flavours, tannins and a finely showing good delicacy, textured finish. $32 and a dry finish. $23 76 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

recent releases Haha Marlborough Haha Hawke's Bay SYRAH OTHER REDS Pinot Noir 2021 Merlot 2021 HHH1/2 93pts HHH1/2 93pts 3 TASTED 1 TASTED Enjoyable young, this Buoyantly fruity, this full- 3 RECOMMENDED 1 RECOMMENDED medium-bodied, supple coloured red is enjoyable red was grown in the young. Mouthfilling, it Church Road 1 Vergence Red by Wairau and Awatere has very good depth Single Vineyard Pegasus Bay Mk 11 valleys and partly barrel- of ripe plum, red berry Redstone Hawke's 2021 HHHHH 98pts aged. Ruby hued, it is and spice flavours, fresh Bay Syrah 2020 This powerful, very vibrantly fruity, with acidity and a smooth HHHHH 98pts inviting red is an unusual fresh cherry, plum and finish. $18 Full of potential, this blend of pinot noir spice flavours, slightly lush, sweet-fruited (85%) and cabernet savoury notes adding CABERNET red was estate- sauvignon (15%) from complexity, and a very SAUVIGNON & grown in the Bridge the 2021 vintage (it was smooth finish. $25 BLENDS Pa Triangle, matured made to display ‘classic in French oak casks pinosity’ with ‘added River Farm 2 TASTED (27% new), and bottled depth, vigour and a Marlborough 2 RECOMMENDED unfined and unfiltered. touch of brawn’). Already Pinot Noir 2021 Deeply coloured, it is drinking well, it is deeply HHH1/2 93pts Church Road 1 full-bodied, youthful coloured, mouthfilling, Fresh and full-bodied, Single Vineyard and sweet-fruited, sweet-fruited and this youthful, ruby hued Gimblett Gravels with concentrated supple, with cherry, red has very good Hawke's Bay blackcurrant, plum and plum and spice flavours, depth of cherry, plum Cabernet Sauvignon spice flavours, nutty gentle acidity and a long, and spice flavours, 2020 HHHHH 98pts and savoury notes harmonious finish. Drink with a distinct touch of This dense, very adding complexity, and now or cellar. $40 complexity and smooth ageworthy red was a supple, finely textured tannins. Best drinking matured in Hungarian finish. $120 STAR RATINGS  mid-2023+. (From and French oak casks Church Road Grand Starborough.) $30 (29% new) and bottled Reserve Hawke's Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of unfined and unfiltered. Bay Syrah 2020 excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. MERLOT & Deeply coloured, it is HHHHH 98pts All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry BLENDS mouthfilling, with rich This elegant, very professionals and are compared in peer blackcurrant, plum, spice youthful red was grown classes by three judges. 2 TASTED and nut flavours, oak at three sites in the CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, 2 RECOMMENDED complexity and refined Bridge Pa Triangle (74%) a major mail-order business. tannins. A classy young and the Gimblett Gravels CD Cellar door price. Church Road 1 red, it’s well worth (26%) and aged for 17 CDO Cellar door only. Single Vineyard cellaring to 2027+. $120 months in French oak SO Sold out. Gimblett Gravels barriques (27% new). $N/A Price not available at time of printing. Hawke’s Bay Merlot Church Road Grand Deeply coloured, with a  Contact information pg 97. 2020 HHHHH 98pts Reserve Cabernet fragrant, floral bouquet, This bold, vibrant, lush Sauvignon Merlot it is mouthfilling and RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). red was matured in 2020 HHHHH 98pts supple, with fresh acidity BEST VALUE for $20 & under. French oak casks (44% Set for a long life, this and concentrated, For a complete list of what we tasted new) and bottled unfined powerful, youthful red ripe blackcurrant and please refer to www.winestate.com.au and unfiltered. Dark and was matured for 18 plum flavours, vibrant, purple-flushed, it has months in French oak complex, savoury and rich plum, red berry, barrels and bottled spicy. Best drinking spice and nut flavours, a unfined and unfiltered. 2025+. $40 hint of liquorice, gentle Dark and purple-flushed, Haha Hawke's Bay tannins and obvious it has ripe blackcurrant, Syrah 2021 potential for cellaring. plum and spice flavours, HHHH 95pts Best drinking 2025+. fresh, concentrated, This fresh, deeply $120 nutty and complex, and coloured red was obvious potential. Best grown in the Bridge Pa drinking 2025+. $40 Triangle. Full-bodied, with youthful vigour, it has generous, plummy, spicy flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and supple tannins. Best drinking mid-2023+. $25 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 77

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. 78 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND November/December 2022 Issue 181 COMPLIMENTARY COPY 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 Champagne & Sparkling Best Value Buys Under $20

80 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

A Sparkling CARE E R “Champagne should be cold, dry and hopefully, free.” – Christian Pol Roger JOY WALTERFANG WHAT better place to talk about one of the trailblazing greats Pam always had an ambition to visit the genesis of sparkling of the Australian wine industry, Pam Dunsford OAM, than wines – France’s Champagne district but did wonder how she Winestate’s annual Champagne/sparkling tasting. Why? would be received. After all she was a prolific producer of Because she was right there at the forefront when this country base wines for sparklings that were erroneously being labeled was transitioning from being producers of bubbles ordinaire Champagne and she knew how incensed the French were about to creators of fine quality sparkling wines. countries that did that. Over the years very little has been left unsaid about Pam. But the spunky Pam need not have worried, with a Churchill Probably the most recounted stories are the long list of her Fellowship to study …winemaking in Champagne to improve Australian femme firsts; first to graduate with a diploma in the quality of Australian wines, and introductory letters from oenology from Roseworthy Agricultural College, first to become Len Evans to Andre Krug and Christian Pol Roger the doors of senior winemaker in a major wine company, first senior wine- the Champagne houses opened for her. show judge and the first to run her own wine consultancy business. Last year she received an Honorary Degree of Doctor Pam departed for France in 1987 with what she described as, of Science from University of Adelaide “… in recognition of her “A mixture of anticipation and apprehension. My plan was to pioneering work in Australian winemaking, blazing a trail for spend up to two months learning French in a language school women winemakers…” until the vintage started, which, fortunately occurred just two days after my second month of tuition.” But there is another of Pam’s firsts that is of particular interest here, it occurred during a brief phase in her four plus decades in Krug was the first Champagne house to invite Pam to join the wine industry that she refers to as, “The icing on the cake!” them, offering her the opportunity to work in their presshouse and barrel fermentation cellar. She was surprised to discover Pam was offered her first job in the wine industry in 1974 at that she was the first female ever to be invited to work a vintage the now defunct Glenloth winery in Reynella, part of the Wynns at Krug. “The only stipulation they had was that they wanted Winegrowers Group. During her 12-year tenure she worked her me to wear trousers,” laughed Pam. way up to become the company’s senior winemaker and under her umbrella of responsibilities was the production of the base Word got around about this eager young Aussie winemaker wines for the Seaview sparkling wine label. But in 1986, with a and opportunities to work as a stagiare (trainee) came in thick takeover looming, she set her sights towards new horizons. “By and fast. “It was like a bush telegraph,” she said. “I started the time I left Wynns we were in the throes of building what was getting invitations from the likes of Bollinger, Charles Heidsieck, going to be the biggest sparkling wine facility in the southern Krug, Louis Roederer, Piper Heidsieck, Pol Roger and Veuve hemisphere,” said Pam. But the take-over saw that facility move Clicquot Ponsardin.” to Nuriootpa and the 34-hectare Glenloth winery demolished to make way for housing. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 81

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“Krug was the first Champagne house to invite Pam to join them, offering her the opportunity to work in their presshouse and barrel fermentation cellar.” Not wanting to miss out on the opportunities she was being Over the next two decades Pam liberally imparted her offered Pam extended her visit for another ten months, self- knowledge to wineries, individual winemakers, students and funding it. She soaked up everything she could about the wine communicators alike, many of whom have put up their viticulture, winemaking and secondary ferments that make hands, wanting to share with us, what Pam has meant to them, Champagne the unique wine it is. but we would need many more pages! “Finding accommodation was a challenge during vintage,” Just 55 and at the peak of her career Pam was forced to retire reminisced Pam. “I put up a note on a local notice board ‘single from the hands-on business of wine due to a virus acquired woman looking for accommodation’ and got a response from overseas that had heartlessly robbed her of her most important a couple who said I could stay with them. As it turned out they asset – her sense of smell and taste. Fortunately, they have were very poor and basically we all slept in the same room. returned, albeit slowly. Their bed and mine touched with just a sheet that was hung between us.” This year Pam Dunsford’s stellar career has been acknowledged with the Maurice O’Shea Award. Sated with knowledge it was time to return home. Not wanting to get caught up again in the corporate world Pam decided the The 1990 inaugural winner of the award was the creator of best way to honour her pledge to improve the quality of Australian Penfolds’ Grange, Max Schubert, the next in line for the triennial wines was to set up a consultancy, not a particularly reputable honor was Len Evans and the recipient three years before occupation back then. While waiting for people to come knocking Pam was fifth generation descendant of Australia’s oldest on her door she took on a couple of jobs lecturing at Roseworthy family-owned winery, Robert Hill Smith of Yalumba, illustrious and the Regency Hotel School. The clients came; Robert Gerard company indeed. the new owner of Chapel Hill was looking to improve the wines of his new acquisition. Pam’s initial four-hour weekly consult evolved The winemaking fraternity has not let Pam slip quietly into into the role of Chief Winemaker producing multi-award-winning retirement and she continues to inspire, mentor and be good wines for nineteen vintages. friend and true to winemakers of all generations. Padthaway Estates commissioned Pam to oversee the Page 80: Pam now retired enjoying her garden with fur friend Ruby. construction of a dedicated sparkling wine facility. She also Opposite page: Pam Dunsford OAM with her brother Trevor after receiving her organised the replica of a basket press to be built there, one honorary doctorate in April 2021. that was unique to Champagne production and the first of its Above: \"Word got around about this eager young Aussie winemaker,\" kind in Australia. [Still could be!] Pam Dunsford. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 83

CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING 150 TASTED 80 AWARDED CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING A very bubbly feature tasting here for your enjoyment. With the CALNEGGIA Wines SPARKLING end of the year and Christmas and New Year coming it is time Prosecco DOC Italy ROSÉ to do your research on what to buy and stock up on. Here we Prosecco Rosé 2020 can help, across all styles and all budgets. Enjoy! HHH 91pts 17 TASTED Smells like honeyed 11 AWARDED PROSECCO Bec Hardy Good Nepenthe Adelaide buttered toast and has a Things Come To Hills Prosecco NV fresh crunchy red apple A good class overall with 17 TASTED Those Who Wait HHH 91pts palate. $30 lovely flavours and nice Australia Prosecco Citrus nose with secondary elements. 6 AWARDED NV HHH1/2 92pts tropical traces and a full SPARKLING Lightly citrus aroma flavoured creamy fruit UNDER $25 Centennial A mixed group of wines has a floral lift. Great driven palate. $25 Vineyards Southern with the best showing palate complexity with 11 TASTED Highlands NSW lovely freshness to a creamy texture and PROSECCO 2 AWARDED Brut Rosé NV the older wines that citrus flavours. $22 ROSÉ HHHH1/2 94pts occasionally exhibited Michelini Alpine Good wines were Pale salmon wine with coarse overtones. Valleys Prosecco 2 TASTED few and far between aromas of red apples, 2022 HHH1/2 92pts 2 AWARDED here. “Overall, these yeast autolysis and Gapsted Wines VBBAEULSYUTSE Light lemon nose with a wines lacked the fruit savoury elements with Alpine Road tightly wound palate of A couple of nice freshness balanced lovely flavours in the King Valley Prosecco lemon juice and florals. examples here. by aged characters,” toasty baked apple NV HHHH 94pts Needs time to settle commented one judge. spectrum and showing Pristine colour, floral down. $25 Michelini Alpine “Some were also over some citrus traces. $35 citrus nose with smoked Andrew Peace Wines Valleys Prosecco acidified or phenolic.” meat notes and a bright, Cora Prosecco NV Rosé 2022 Taltarni Tache crisp and crunchy palate HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts Wildly Organic Pyrenees Sparkling with apple-like flavour Floral fragrances with A delicate and perfectly South Australia Rosé 2014 profile. $18 light floral nuances and balanced wine with lifted Cuvée NV HHHH1/2 94pts a complex and textured strawberry and cream- HHH 91pts Pale bronze/orange hues Trentham Estate citrus palate. $19 like fruit characters and Fresh green apple and a lovely fine bead The Family Murray just a hint of smoked driven, fine bubbles with an aged toasty Darling Prosecco NV meats. $25 and some nice phenolic lemon curd bouquet HHH1/2 93pts texture with high and a flavoursome A fruit driven sherbet- acidity. $23 complexity of cooked like bouquet with a peaches and fresh baked sweet but balanced Tempus Two Varietal bread. $28 refreshingly vibrant South Australia palate. $18 Blanc de Blancs Sidewood Adelaide 2021 HHH 91pts Hills Sparkling Pinot Lovely honeysuckle Rosé NV HHH 91pts bouquet and a crunchy A complexity of toasty palate full of apple age and intense crumble flavours. $12 strawberry fruit with crunchy acid and fine bubbles. $24 JUDGES Jack Walker Shane Harris Allira Lord Winemaker for O’Leary Winemaker for Wines by Chardonnay and Walker Wines. Has Geoff Hardy including, K1 and sparkling winemaker, previously worked at Handcrafted by Geoff Hardy Pernod Ricard Wines. Peter Lehmanns, Wattle Wines. Has also completed 11 years in the Creek, DeBortoli, vintages in Queensland and Barossa wine industry. Seppeltsfield, Josef Victoria. Completed the AWRI Vintaged in McLaren Chromy. Has also advanced sensory course Vale, Marlborough NZ, judged at the Clare and has associate judged at Provence, France, Khao Valley wine show and McLaren Vale Wine Show. Yai Thailand and Southern Kangaroo Island wine Winestate Winemaker of the England. Advanced wine show. Year in 2009, 2019 & 2020. asessment course 2017. 84 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting Clover Hill SPARKLING DiGiorgio Family SPARKLING Firetail Margaret Tasmanian Pipers NV $25-$30 Coonawarra VINTAGE River Sparkling River Tasmania Sparkling Pinot Noir $25-$50 Chardonnay 2016 Cuvée Rosé NV 11 TASTED NV HHHH1/2 94pts HHH1/2 92pts HHH 91pts 3 AWARDED A delightful aromatic 21 TASTED A fresh and complex; Nice red fruit with a complexity of toast, 10 AWARDED toasty and flinty style savoury edge, toasty The judges were honey and spicy apples Another step up in with a racy acid drive. complexity and pleasant disappointed with this with a big, complex and quality and balance Many more years left in phenolic texture. $36 group. “There were too flavoursome palate, in the higher scoring it yet. $36 Bream Creek many grape varieties creamy in the mouth wines. “The base core Sidewood Chloe Vineyard Tasmania here,” noted one judge. with a savoury red fruit of fruit was better in Adelaide Hills Cuvée Brut Rosé NV “Neutral grapes with profile. $36 these wines,” said one 2015 HHH1/2 92pts HHH 91pts bubbles doesn’t make a Jansz Tasmania judge. A full, fleshy and A bright fresh fruit good sparkling!” Premium Tasmania flavoursome sparkling focussed style, some Cuvée NV Taltarni Vintage with quince/citrus fruit, sweetness with creamy Beresford Premium HHH 91pts Pyrenees Blanc nice nuttiness and mouthfeel and tight McLaren Vale Cuvée Zesty green apple de Blancs 2018 supportive acidity. $35 acidity. $38 NV HHH1/2 92pts aromas with a lively HHHH1/2 96pts Watkins Sibling Kreglinger Tamar A fresh, spicy and crisp and flavoursome Quite a flinty citrus/ Series Langhorne Valley Tasmania Brut fruity style with mouth fruit driven palate. $30 green apple bouquet Creek Sparkling Rosé NV HHH 91pts filling bubbles and Centennial and a generous palate Blanc de Blancs A subtle complexity balanced fruit tingle-like Vineyards Southern weight with apple-like 2021 HHH 91pts of spicy floral fruit characters. $25 Highlands NSW Brut fruit developing nice Nutty cider-like aromas fragrances and a fine Traditionelle NV complexity, some and a full, rich and apple/citrus palate. $40 DiGiorgio Family HHH 91pts phenolics adding texture spicy fruit cake of a Fermoy Pemberton Limestone Coast Intriguing, honeyed and a fine persistent palate. $28 Brut Rosé 2018 Sparkling Pinot Noir melon bouquet and bead. $32.99 Leura Park Estate HHH 91pts Chardonnay NV straightforward citrus/ Yes Said The Seal Bellarine Peninsula A crunchy and linear HHH 91pts tropical fruit flavours. $35 Bellarine Peninsula Sparkling Blanc de style with lovely lively Spicy pear drop-like d'Arenberg Sparkling Blanc de Blanc 2021 bubbles and flinty citrus fragrances and a creamy Pollyanna Polly Blanc 2018 HHH 91pts elements. $45 complexity of poached Adelaide Hills HHH1/2 92pts An enticing fuller creamy Jansz Tasmania pear flavours. $25 Sparkling White NV “Yum!” Great balance style with tropical fruit Vintage Rosé 2018 HHH 91pts between the fruit and focus and crunchy acid HHH 91pts Three Kings Wine Toasty fruit nose and a the toasty complexity line. $35 Flinty apple fragrances Merchants Q1908 complexity of slightly and very good flavour Marisco Vineyards with secondary The Cauldron sweet fruit flavours with persistence. $45 Diamond Heart complexity and a balanced Adelaide Hills good acidity. $36 Marlborough Blanc toasty palate. $54 Sparkling Pinot Noir Centennial de Blancs 2018 Clover Hill Cuvee Chardonnay NV Vineyards Limited HHH 91pts Exceptionelle Pipers HHH 90pts Release Southern Toasty spicy nose with River Tasmania Toasty oaky aromas and Highlands NSW a complexity of fruit and Cuvée Rosé 2017 a complex fruit cake-like Blanc de Blancs NV secondary characters on HHH 91pts flavour profile with sharp HHH 91pts the palate. $40 NZ Nicely ageing wine with acidity. $25 Flinty nose smells of Sidewood Isabella a mature complexity lemon curd with a fresh Rose Adelaide Hills of red apples and SPARKLING citrus palate developing Sparkling Pinot Noir strawberries. $75 NV $30+ complexity. $40 2015 HHH 91pts Buller Wines RLB Centennial A generous full flavoured Victoria Sparkling 14 TASTED Vineyards Late style with flinty toasty Rosé NV HHH 90pts 7 AWARDED Disgorged (10 Years plum-like characters and A combination of tart red On Lees) Southern good bead. $35 apples and perfumed “A better flight here with Highlands NSW Brut Koonara Guardian strawberry fruit with finer bubbles holding in NV HHH 91pts Angel Mount sharp acidity. $17 the glass,” commented Complex, toasty and Gambier Sparkling Love + Glory one judge. “With a step- creamy with a fine drive Chardonnay 2022 McLaren Vale up in complexity these of acid and mouth filling HHH 90pts Sparkling are well worth the extra bubbles. $50 A super fresh and floral Tempranillo Rosé few dollars.” Clover Hill Cuvee green apple nose with a 2022 HHH 90pts Foudre Pipers bright and crunchy linear Strawberry jam aromas River Tasmania palate. $30 with a floral lift and an Chardonnay Pinot upfront strawberry and Noir NV HHH 91pts cream palate. $35 A fuller, well-made and complex style; slightly sweet fruit and racy acidity to balance. $55 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 85

CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING Taltarni Essence Jansz Late Jansz Single Champagne Tsarine Champagne Tsarine Pyrenees Victoria Disgorged Vineyard Vintage Champagne France Cuvée Premium Blanc de Blancs Vintage Tasmania Tasmania Sparkling Brut Rosé NV Champagne France 2017 HHH 90pts Cuvée 2014 Chardonnay 2016 HHH1/2 93pts Chardonnay Pinot Subtle toastiness to the HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts Deep candied pink Noir Pinot Meunier fruit fragrances with Nose described by one Good core and colour with a light NV HHHH1/2 96pts a flinty core of fruit judge as resembling a concentration of citrus rose petal nose. Broad Light straw colour with a flavours. $32.99 peach flan. Very more- fruit with nice autolysis creamy nose, racy slight amber edge. Light ish flavoursome palate and aged characters. $65 acidity and green apple attractive crisp apple SPARKLING with good concentration flavours. Very dry finish. and citrus bouquet. Nice VINTAGE $50+ of autolysis evident, Zonzo Estate $64.99 lively acid and some tight line of acid and a Vintage Sparkling delicious bready yeast 14 TASTED fine bead. $60 Yarra Valley Pinot CHAMPAGNE autolysis on the palate. 8 AWARDED Glandore Chloe Noir Chardonnay UNDER $100 $54.99 “Some real gems Hunter Sparkling 2016 HHH 91pts Dumangin J. Fils La here showing aged Chardonnay 2021 A very more-ish full 8 TASTED Cuvee 17 Chigny- complexity and lovely HHH 91pts flavoured upfront style 7 AWARDED Les-Roses France acid pulling the wines Super young and citrusy that still has some A solid group. “Nice Brut NV along,” enthused one with hints of apples primary fruit evident. $65 simplicity here offering HHHH 95pts judge. “A few could have and spices and a nice balanced elegant A delicious full flavoured been better with more crunchy acid line. $75 OTHER drinking,” noted one Champagne with peach yeast autolysis.” Truffle Hill Truffle EUROPEAN judge. and baked apple-like Hunters Reserve SPARKLING characters, nice acid Jansz Tasmania Manjimup Sparkling Champagne Charles drive and fine bubbles. Vintage Cuvee 2018 Pinot Noir 2017 4 TASTED Mignon Premium $49.95 HHHH1/2 97pts HHH 91pts 2 AWARDED Reserve Epernay Louis Bouillot A fragrant complexity Apple cider and quince- France Brut NV Perle d'Ivoire Blanc of hazelnuts, baked like aromas with nicely A couple of good HHHH1/2 97pts de Blancs NV apples and brioche focussed chocolaty/ examples showing fresh Toasty yeast autolysis HHH1/2 92pts with a mineral element strawberry intensity. $80 characters. nose layered with apple Smells of lemon drops and similar characters Clover Hill Pipers and lemon curd-like and has an elegant, following on to the River Tasmania Tissot-Maire aromas. Creamy in balanced and crunchy creamy palate with a Vintage Brut Crémant du Jura the mouth with long fresh palate with mouth lovely fine bead. $50 Chardonnay Brut Lapiaz Cremant persistent baked apple/ filling bubbles. $40 Bangor Tasmania Pinot Noir 2016 NV HHH1/2 92pts lemon curd flavours and Louis Bouillot Blanc de Blanc 2016 HHH 91pts Floral, citrusy and nutty juicy acidity. $92 Perle de Vigne HHHH1/2 96pts Nose is a nutty on the nose with a good ‘Grande Reserve’ A remarkably fresh complexity of aromas core of fruit freshness NV HHH 91pts bouquet of peaches, with a juicy fruit palate on the finely structured Elegant citrus bouquet apples and florals with and fine bubbles. $55 palate. $33 with a green edge and poached fruit flavours, tight floral fruit/melon a nice mineral thread, Marc Bredif Brut flavour profile. $38 lovely doughy autolysis Vouvray France Brut Champagne Canard- and salivating acidity. $95 NV HHH 91pts Duchêne P181 A hint of baked apples Organic Extra lift off the nose with nice Champagne France fruit flavour intensity on Cuvée 2014 the palate. $35 HHH 91pts Hues of summer straw CHAMPAGNE bales with a nutty ROSÉ complexity on the nose. Very broad natural 4 TASTED flavours on a dry citrus 2 AWARDED palate. $69.99 Champagne Two nice examples here, Canard-Duchêne however the judges Champagne expected better from France Cuvee Brut this category. Champagne NV HHH 90pts Champagne Canard- Spicy vanilla oak nose Duchêne Cuvée and generous honey Champagne France waffle driven flavours. Brut Rosé NV $54.99 HHH1/2 92pts Deep orange, onion skin hue. Soft toasty notes with a full mouthful of bubbles and finishing dry. $59.99 86 W I N E S TAT E November/December 2022

varietal tasting CHAMPAGNE Pommery Cuvee Champagne Charles Pierre Gimonnet & Sutherland $100+ Louise Brut Nature Mignon Cuvee Fils Spécial Club Estate Yarra Reims Champagne Comte de Marne 'Grand Terroirs de Valley Sparkling 11 TASTED France Chardonnay Epernay France Brut Chardonnay' Tempranillo 2021 11 AWARDED Pinot Noir 2004 NV HHHH1/2 96pts Extra Brut 2015 HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 97pts A drier style showing HHH1/2 93pts Spicy strawberry aromas Very consistent group Lovely freshness here great aged components. Light integrated candy and soft cherry flavours showing more texture with a bouquet of honey Nougat/honeysuckle-like apple aromas. Similarly with good acid, tannin with complexity, lees and vanilla and nicely aromas and a complexity light crisp lemon, lime and sugar balance. $38 stirring and age all focussed and well- of flinty fruit flavours and sweet apple acidity focussed in a linear way. developed flavours on on a delicately textured follows on the palate Scarpantoni Estate the phenolic textured palate with mouth- with a touch of dry Black Tempest Champagne palate showing fine watering acidity. $124 green bean character. McLaren Vale Tsarine by Adriana persistent bubbles. $380 Pol Roger $170 Sparkling Shiraz NV Champagne France Pommery Cuvee Vintage Brut 2015 HHH 91pts Chardonnay Pinot Louise Parcelles HHHH 95pts SPARKLING Dark berries dominate Noir Pinot Meunier Reims Champagne Flinty green bean RED the nose with spicy NV HHHHH 98pts France Chardonnay characters on the plum/berry flavours Mid-straw colour turning Pinot Noir 2005 nutty nose and good 13 TASTED filling the palate. $28 to sunset. Lovely nose HHHH1/2 96pts concentration of fruit 7 AWARDED of honeysuckle and A classy wine that is still flavours with lingering Andrew Garrett lemon rind. Excellent amazingly youthful with secondary elements. “Lots of interesting McLaren Vale balance of lively citrus toasty honeyed aromas $175 varieties being used Sparkling Shiraz NV flavours, juicy acidity and and fresh sweet fruit Champagne Charles here,” said one judge. HHH 90pts a buttery pie crust finish. flavours balanced with Mignon Premier Cru “But a few lacked Youthful spicy plum EU140.00 lovely, aged characters. Epernay France Brut purpose and direction. characters with a licorice Nice acid line. $360 NV HHHH 94pts The best wines had note, some sweetness Champagne Deutz Honeyed floral balanced base wines, and medium bubbles. William Deutz Brut fragrances and a fine sparkling expertise and $15 2013 HHHHH 98pts lively palate with a attention to detail.” Hues of soft gold. delicate honey/blossom Artwine La Nice seamless honey flavour profile and some Reillys Moonvine Dolce Vita Clare blossom and mature fine bubbles. $102 Clare Valley Valley Sparkling yeast autolysis nose. Barossa Sparkling Montepulciano NV Flavoursome lemon Pommery Grand Cru Shiraz 2018 HHH 90pts curd and soft brioche Reims Champagne HHHH1/2 96pts Sweet and spicy plum elements with hints of France Chardonnay Meaty notes to the plum fruit on the nose and homemade apple pie. Pinot Noir 2008 fruit nose with nice palate with a fine and Great assimilated palate. HHH1/2 93pts yeast autolysis. Palate persistent bead. $45 $200 Smells like fresh crusty has both fruit freshness bread with honeysuckle and complexity with MOSCATO Pierre Gimonnet & notes and a big, prominent tannins, good Fils Cuvée Fleuron complex and full-bodied acidity and great fine 3 TASTED Brut 1er Cru Blanc lemon curd palate. $149 bead. $40 2 AWARDED de Blancs 2017 HHHHH 98pts Grampians Estate Great wines for those A rich yet elegant style Rutherford who like a lighter, of Champagne with Grampians slightly spritzig, sweet a lovely toasty nutty Sparkling Shiraz style. complexity to the nose 2020 HHH1/2 92pts and a full fleshy and Brambly bouquet with Ellis Wines flavoursome palate with a charcuterie character Signature Heathcote the fruit nicely paired and good core of Moscato 2021 with the structural chocolaty fruit with fine HHH1/2 92pts acidity. $130 tannins. $40 Lemon fruit tingle-like aromas and a light Champagne Deutz Saddler's Creek balanced spritz fruit palate Amour de Deutz Wines Bluegrass with nicely balanced Champagne France Langhorne Creek sweetness. $22 Champagne 2011 Sparkling Cabernet HHHH1/2 97pts Sauvignon 2018 Watkins Sibling Vibrant colours of mid- HHH1/2 92pts Series Riverland straw. Mature aromas A well-made wine with Sparkling Moscato with strong yeast a cassis and cherry 2021 HHH1/2 92pts autolysis complexity. bouquet and forest floor Green apple nose Aged characters of and berry compote-like with honeysuckle-like marmalade and golden flavours. $45 sweetness that follows syrup on the palate but through onto the slightly supported by lovely tart palate. $24 fresh acidity. One for the lovers of aged Champagne. $370.00 November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 87

169 TASTED 104 AWARDED NEW RELEASES As we get closer to the end of the year we also get to see the Erin Eyes Emerald Yealands Reserve new wines that will excite us. Here we have a great selection Isle Clare Valley Marlborough across the board from fresh and lively youngsters to those wines Riesling 2022 Sauvignon Blanc that have been matured for a year or two, often in oak, to give HHHH 94pts 2022 HHHHH 98pts added complexity. Delicate floral/citrus An excellent example bouquet and an elegant of a NZ sauvignon SPARKLING Bec Hardy Good Shanahans seamlessly balanced blanc with its intense Things Come to Evergreen Eden palate with a lemon/lime green bean/passionfruit 4 TASTED Those Who Wait Valley Riesling 2021 flavour profile. $25 bouquet and its classic 3 AWARDED Australia Prosecco HHHH1/2 97pts flavour bomb of a palate NV HHH 91pts Pale straw wine with Erin Eyes Pride of with just a subtle hint of Two nice examples of Fresh floral and muscat- a green tinge, inviting Erin Reserve Clare oak. $19.95 fresh clean styles with like aromas with brown lime-like aromas Valley Riesling 2022 Babydoll one nicely matured pleasant and persistent and a generous, fuller HHHH 94pts Marlborough wine. apple flavours. $22 style palate with pretty Pretty nose – a floral Sauvignon Blanc perfumed fruit flavours delicacy of roses and 2022 HHHH1/2 Sidewood Estate RIESLING and hints of citrus. $23 violets with light, 97pts Adelaide Hills By Merrill Dancing refreshing and persistent A classic style sitting Sparkling Pinot Noir 7 TASTED Queen Clare Valley floral/citrus flavours. $40 in the pungent tropical NV HHHH 94pts 5 AWARDED Riesling 2021 spectrum with an Red berry fruit HHHH1/2 96pts Soul Growers Eden intense guava-like fragrances with a hint Excellent group of fresh Nose is intense and Valley Riesling 2022 bouquet and good of bready complexity consistent rieslings. buttery and just HHH1/2 92pts length of varietal fruit and a refreshing light “These are a good each starting to show some A richer style with flavours with a good acid strawberry palate with way bet for enjoying toasty development. interesting spicy floral drive. $18.95 crisp acid. $24 now or for cellaring,” Nicely structured fragrances and flavours Bec Hardy Adelaide said one judge. buttery toasty palate and nice phenolic grip. Sauvignon Blanc Coward & Black with marmalade-like $28 2022 HHH 90pts Western Australia varietal intensity. $25 Delicate grassy style Blanc de Blanc 2018 SAUVIGNON with tropical notes and HHH1/2 92pts BLANC sweetness rounding out Golden wine with a fine the palate. $18 bead, complex aged 4 TASTED aromas and a creamy 3 AWARDED palate with toasty flavours. $65 Very solid strong varietal characters here giving intense fruit flavours. JUDGES - DAY 1 Peter Pollard Mango Parker Senior Winemaker at Research scientist Richard Gawel Angas & Bremer Wines. at AWRI. Has AWAC Winemaking graduate, Completed vintages with qualification and 20 Roseworthy College and first Californian Wineries Geyser years AWRI quality specialist lecturer in sensory Peak, Sonoma Valley, and panel experience. science. 12 years as educator of Peter Lehmann in the wine evaluation at Roseworthy Barossa Valley. Previously and University of Adelaide. the Winemaker at Simeon Experienced wine show judge Wines. Completed Contributor to the Oxford AWRI Advanced Wine Companion to Wine. Currently Assessment course. research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute. 88 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting PINOT GRIS/ Tahbilk Nagambie OTHER WHITE Tahbilk Nagambie Coward & Black GRIGIO Lakes Pinot Gris VARIETALS & Lakes Marsanne Western Australia 2022 HHH 91pts BLENDS 2022 HHH1/2 92pts Chardonnay 2018 9 TASTED A richer style with floral/ Clean bright citrus HHHHH 98pts 4 AWARDED lemon rind elements, 12 TASTED blossom bouquet and A fragrant developed A mixed bag of easy tangy acid and a 7 AWARDED full of delicate floral pear complexity of toast, drinking diverse styles phenolic texture. $21.40 flavours with a floral honey and lemon of wines ranging from The usual diverse finish. $21.40 meringue pie that the neutral to the lightly FIANO range of good varietal follows through onto flavoured. examples and some McGuigan the nicely textured 3 TASTED faulty wines with old oak Mastercraft and balanced palate Sidewood Estate 1 AWARDED taint. “The best wines Riverland SA with good, sweet/acid Adelaide Hills here were true to variety Chenin Blanc 2022 balance. $39.50 Pinot Gris 2022 One good example or showed texture that HHH1/2 92pts Marisco Vineyards HHHH1/2 96pts showing varietal added to their flavour Bright, fresh and lifted The King's Bastard A pleasant confectionery character and nice ripe profile,” said one judge. fruit driven wine with Marlborough pear bouquet with light complexity. “These don’t have to be nice balance between Chardonnay 2021 herbaceous characters polished; often they give subtle oak and floral HHHH1/2 97pts and refreshing savoury- Heritage Estate an extra dimension that citrus fruit. $22 Green apple and cedary like flavours with a hint Granite Belt Fiano is enjoyable.” oak aromas with a flinty of toast and good length 2021 HHHH 94pts Gudilly Single thread. Excellent oak/ of acid. $24 A complex, refreshing Mytikas Single Vineyard Adelaide fruit flavour complexity Yealands and mouth filling Vineyard Adelaide Pinot Bianco 2022 on the generous palate Marlborough combination of pear, Pinot Bianco 2022 HHH1/2 92pts with a drying acid finish. Pinot Gris 2022 lemon rind and floral HHHH 95pts Perfumed floral fruit $28.99 HHH1/2 92pts elements with toasty Full bodied full flavoured overlayed with toasty Aromas and flavours of notes. $39 wine, smelling musky elements adding pears and apples, floral and floral with clean complexity and crisp notes, moderate acidity VERMENTINO floral fruit flavours and a acid line. $30 and a savoury finish. warming finish. $30 $16.95 3 TASTED SEMILLON & Heritage Estate 2 AWARDED Mount Avoca Estate BLENDS Granite Belt Organic Pyrenees Pinot Gris 2021 A couple of worthy Viognier 2022 1 TASTED HHH1/2 92pts examples here. HHHH 94pts 1 AWARDED Distinctive colour, a Fresh lifted apricot complexity of aromas Sorby Adams aromas and a creamy One nice fresh drink and lusciously rich Mytikas Single textured palate with now style. apricot flavours on a Vineyard Adelaide more of the apricot silky palate. $29 Vermentino 2022 characters, cedary oak JUUL by Hollydene HHHH 95pts and mineral finish. $28 Estate Upper Hunter A delicate fruit driven Valley Semillon style with flinty peppery Berrigan Wines Sauvignon Blanc notes to the nose and Shining Rock 2021 HHH1/2 92pts nicely textured palate Adelaide Hills Smells like a lemon with good flavour length. Gruner Veltliner meringue pie with $18 2022 HHHH 94pts plenty of powerful citrus Aromatic floral nose flavours and a crisp line Sorby Adams Gudilly with a pretty floral palate of acid. $26 Single Vineyard that’s lifted, fresh and Adelaide Vermentino layered with a tight acid CHARDONNAY 2022 HHH 90pts backbone. $29.95 Light spicy fruit 16 TASTED fragrances and creamy Heritage Estate 9 AWARDED spicy flavours. Obvious Granite Belt sweetness on the finish. Verdelho 2021 An excellent result from $18 HHHH 94pts the older wines with An herbaceous and less depth showing in lifted tropical fruit style the 2022s. “Here we with toasty complexity see the winemaker’s on the nose and good craft with good use of flavour persistence and oak and buttery malo length. $30 balance,” said one judge. “This is now a ‘grown- up style’ – not too oaky and not too simple.” The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 89

NEW RELEASES Marisco Vineyards Haselgrove McGuigan Watkins Mad Leefield Station Alternative Series Mastercraft Cousins Series Marlborough McLaren Vale Murray Darling Ruscello Langhorne Chardonnay 2021 Grenache Rosé 2022 Montepulciano 2021 Creek Sangiovese HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts HHHH 95pts 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Full bodied style with a Turkish Delight nose A rich full-bodied wine Fresh lifted raspberry complex buttery/peachy and good length and with ripe blackberry fruit, fruit characters with bouquet. Round and persistence of subtle red sweet vanillin oak and good tannin structure. creamy in the mouth fruit flavours. $26 massive tannins. Young, Should develop nicely with excellent fruit, oak needs time. $30 with time. $25 and acid balance and a OTHER RED Briar Ridge warm finish. $21.99 VARIETALS & Limited Release Mytikas Single BLENDS BDX Wrattonbully Vineyard Adelaide Borrello Vineyards Red Blend 2021 Sangiovese 2022 Margaret River 11 TASTED HHH1/2 93pts HHH 91pts Chardonnay 2020 8 AWARDED Quite a green nose Attractive mix of glacé HHHH1/2 96pts and palate with herbal/ cherries and light oak Brilliant intensity of A solid flight with eucalypt elements characters with earthy stonefruit, quince and interest across a number and young berry fruit notes. Easy drinking. $30 oak on the nose with of varieties. “The higher characters. $40 some flinty complexity. scored wines had Brand & Sons GRENACHE & Silky smooth in better fruit structure Last Sunday BLENDS the mouth with an and balance,” noted one Drive Coonawarra abundance of fruit/toasty judge. “Others were Cabernet Franc 2021 10 TASTED oak flavours. $28 Totino Wines Altezza guilty of infanticide!” HHH 91pts 4 AWARDED Adelaide Hills Attractive stewed plum Chardonnay 2021 Saddler's Creek fruit here with some A mixed bag! “A few Heritage Estate HHH 91pts Wines Winemakers minty complexity and a had advanced colour and Reserve Estate A lean flinty style with Craft Adelaide grippy finish. $26 lacked vibrancy that is Granite Belt buttery hazelnut nose Hills Barbera 2021 Saddler's Creek unusual for this variety,” Chardonnay 2019 and tight acid driven HHHH1/2 97pts Wines Winemakers noted one judge. HHHH1/2 96pts herbal palate. $34 Plenty of brooding Craft Adelaide Hills “The better wines had “Lots going on here!” sweet dark fruit Aglianico 2021 intense cherry and spice Tinned peaches, toasty characters laced with HHH 91pts characters and were fun herbal characters. Fleshy Very minty nose and rich to taste.” ROSÉoak and secondary in the mouth with grippy peppermint chocolate characters lift off the tannins, juicy acid and an flavours. “Big but not Krondorf Founders nose and fill the mouth 9 TASTED oaky finish. $44 brutish!” $44 View Barossa Valley with an abundance of 3 AWARDED Mercer Wines Joven Grenache 2021 McGuigan Hilltops Tempranillo HHHH1/2 96pts rich flavours. $59 Overall, this flight was Mastercraft Hilltops 2022 HHH 90pts Intense inky aromas – Tempranillo 2021 Lots of intense sweet all strawberry jam and Mount Avoca disappointing. “There HHHH1/2 96pts blueberry fruit characters plums with sweet cherry Moates Lane were too many low fruit, Fragrant fruit cake here laced with grippy fruit flavours layered Victoria Chardonnay thin and flavourless aromas with a slight tannins. $30 with chary oak and tangy 2021 HHHH 94pts eucalypt-like note. acid. Palate builds power Stonefruit nose with Lashings of sweet plum SANGIOVESE and strength. $24 flinty complexity and wines,” said one judge. fruit and sweet vanillin a smooth subtly flinty oak flavours with firm 4 TASTED Watkins Sibling peach palate with “A number were ‘run-off’ tannins and a spicy oak 3 AWARDED Series Langhorne wines - afterthoughts finish. $30 Creek Grenache Some worthy examples 2022 HHH1/2 92pts an oaky finish. “Very rather than designated Saddler's Creek here worth trying. Black cherry nose drinkable!” $24 Wines Winemakers Gudilly Single with hints of violets. rosé wines.” Craft Adelaide Hills Vineyard Adelaide Savoury palate with Sagrantino 2021 Sangiovese 2022 light herbaceous Sidewood Owen's Erin Eyes Celtic HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts characters. $22 Adelaide Hills Cross Clare Valley Interesting nose of Very varietal with Chardonnay 2021 Rosé 2022 cherries with a dash of plenty of sweet plum Borrello Vineyards HHH1/2 92pts HHH 91pts white pepper and earthy and sour cherry fruit, Swan Valley Flinty minerally aromas Pretty pink wine with complexity. Sweet fruit nice spiciness, earthy Grenache 2021 with some peach fruit fresh strawberry fruit driven palate with herbal notes and firm tannin HHH1/2 92pts in the mix and similar characters, floral nuances notes and a soft tannin structure. $30 Attractive cherry liqueur- characters echoed on and crisp acid. $25 structure. $44 like aromas with vibrant the palate. $55 Moppity Vineyards earthy prune flavours. “A McPherson MWC Lock & Key real crowd pleaser.” $22 Goulburn Valley Hilltops Rosé 2022 Chardonnay 2022 HHH 91pts HHH 91pts Delicate lifted rose-like Buttery peach bouquet bouquet and a light and and creamy oak chewy berry fruit driven dominated palate with palate. $25 nice purity of fruit. $22 90 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Allegiance Wines Bec Hardy Adelaide CABERNET & Bec Hardy The Artisan South Pinot Noir 2022 BLENDS Pertaringa Australia Grenache HHH 91pts Understudy McLaren 2021 HHH1/2 92pts A full-bodied 14 TASTED Vale Cabernet Lusciously sweet straightforward style 9 AWARDED Sauvignon 2021 jammy fruit characters with lifted cherry fruit HHHH 94pts with a savoury/meaty and earthy complexity. A strong class. Some Inky purple wine with a element and fine tannin $20 great examples here subdued earthy bouquet structure. $40 showing a touch of and a full-bodied palate Common Ground spearmint and berry intense with varietal fruit PINOT NOIR Limestone Coast fruit with chocolate flavours. $26 Pinot Noir 2021 overtones. 10 TASTED HHH 91pts 6 AWARDED A nice simple wine with savoury fruit, herbal “The best were fruit Marisco Vineyards hints and powerful Borrello Vineyards driven but also well The King's Wrath eucalypt notes. $22 Margaret River structured, complete Marlborough Cabernet Sauvignon wines,” said one judge. Pinot Noir 2021 Sidewood Abel 2020 HHHHH 98pts “Others were back to HHHH1/2 96pts Adelaide Hills Blackcurrant aromas the old style dry reds An earthy complexity Pinot Noir 2021 with some mintiness which we should have of cherry, plum and HHH 91pts and earthy nuances. stopped producing ages strawberry varietal fruit Savoury aromas with a Attractive upfront sweet ago.” characters on both the dash of plum jam and and fleshy fruit flavours nose and the palate nice mix of developed with a subtle hint of with grainy tannins and fruit flavours. $45 greenness and nice soft a warmth to the finish. tannins. $30 $28.99 MERLOT & BLENDS Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra 7 TASTED Cabernet Sauvignon 3 AWARDED 2017 HHHHH 98pts A powerful wine that Three nice examples of is still fresh for its the variety here. age with some great varietal fruit and stylish Totino Wines Classic Watkins Mad oak, complexing minty Range Adelaide Hills Cousins Series characters and nice Cabernet Sauvignon Wavemaker secondary elements 2017 HHHH 94pts Langhorne Creek developing. $60 Herbal eucalypt Merlot 2021 characters mingle with HHH1/2 93pts generous plum fruit and A solid chocolaty style Glandore cedar oak and has some of merlot with good Cellarhands lively tannins. $28 berry fruit backbone Hilltops Cabernet and silky smooth in the Sauvignon 2021 Marisco Vineyards mouth. $25 HHHH1/2 97pts Tenafeate Creek One The Ned Spicy blackcurrant Tree Hill Cabernet Marlborough Tenafeate Creek varietal aromas with Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir 2021 One Tree Hill Merlot green bean notes and 2021 HHH1/2 92pts HHHH1/2 97pts 2021 HHH1/2 92pts generous dark fruit Intense mulberry/ Lots of lovely juicy Warm, generous and flavours with minty oak nose and fleshy cherry varietal fruit vibrant wine in the dark hints and seamlessly in the mouth with characters here layered fruit spectrum with integrated oak with fine long luscious red fruit with earthy complexity light oak and minty tannins. $120 flavours. $35 and hints of barnyard-like notes. $35 funkiness supported by Marisco Vineyards Watkins Heritage Uleybury Mt Lofty a firm tannin structure. Leefield Station Summerfield Series Adelaide Hills Ranges Cabernet $25.99 Marlborough Pyrenees Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon 2020 Pinot Noir 2021 2020 HHH 91pts 2017 HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts Rich full flavoured Smells like a plum Pleasant blackcurrant- Lifted cherry nose with varietal that’s all fruitcake with a like aromas and flavours an earthy edge and lots blackcurrants and mint edge and has with savoury and earthy of sweet varietal fruit chocolate. $36 a complexity of fruit complexity. $30 and spicy oak on the full cake-like flavours with flavoured palate. $27.99 massive tannins. Still youthful needs more time. $50 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 91

NEW RELEASES Coward & Black Tempus Two Watkins Sibling SHIRAZ & Haselgrove Il The Black Prince Copper Barossa Series Langhorne BLENDS Padrone McLaren Western Australia Valley Shiraz 2021 Creek Shiraz 2021 2020 & OLDER Vale Shiraz 2020 Cabernet 2020 HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts Velvety floral fragrances A big wine with dark 21 TASTED Spicy oak dominated A solid wine with very with a massive full blue fruits layered 15 AWARDED nose with some minty good varietal fruit flavoured palate and a with meaty/licorice fruit underneath. intensity, lifted minty background of oak. Good complexity and chewy There are more than Lightweight fruity palate notes and soft tannins. commercial style. $35 tannins. $22 enough great wines in with nice fruit finish. $45 $55 Mount Avoca Old Bec Hardy this flight from young to Barossa Valley Wine Vine Pyrenees Pertaringa older vintages to please Company Farms SHIRAZ & Shiraz 2021 Undercover McLaren most people. “The Barossa Valley BLENDS HHHH 94pts Vale Shiraz 2021 younger wines showed Shiraz 2019 2022-2021 Described by one judge HHH1/2 92pts good potential for further HHHH 94pts as “A solid citizen!” Bright purple hue with ageing but are also nice Tarry black fruit 22 TASTED That is a mix of primary an intense savoury berry to drink now, whilst the fragrances with a long 17 AWARDED red berry and stonefruit fruit presence, slight older wines were ready and quite drying tannic characters. $43 tarry notes and firm to drink now, with a palate showing good A variety of regions tannins. $26 couple past their use by berry fruit presence. $40 and winemaking styles Beklyn Single Mount Avoca Estate date,” said one judge. Yalumba The Steeple here. “There were some Vineyard Currency Organic Pyrenees Barossa Valley wines with varying oak Creek Shiraz 2021 Shiraz 2021 Uleybury Mt Lofty Shiraz 2018 balance and fruit depth,” HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts Ranges Shiraz 2020 HHHH 94pts said one judge. “Lots Deep dark and slightly Lifted confectionery HHHH1/2 97pts Delicate perfumed of good drinking wines stewed varietal fruit floral aromas and a Rich ripe dark fruit fruit aromatics with a here to pick from.” elements here showing big, yet elegant, palate aromas lift off the nose chocolaty palate full of a savoury thread and with light berry fruit with gentle oak nuances excellent fruit richness Berrigan Wines stemmy notes. $45 flavours. $35 and luscious black and and a smooth finish. $80 Shining Rock Brand & Sons Old Haselgrove red berry fruit flavours McPherson Adelaide Hills Shiraz Town Coonawarra Alternative Series with mocha notes and Don't tell Gary 2021 HHHHH 98pts Shiraz 2021 McLaren Vale Syrah great tannins. $30 Central Vic Shiraz A lovely smooth HHHH 94pts 2022 HHH 91pts 2020 HHH1/2 93pts blackcurrant driven A powerful A creamy style with Mount Avoca The Savoury nose showing a nose with a reasonable concentration of red strawberry jam-like fruit Calling Pyrenees smoky element with nice depth of bright red fruit berry fruits on the nose and a slight savoury Shiraz 2019 balance between red flavours with a licorice- and following through thread. $28 HHHH1/2 97pts fruits and tannins. $24 like thread on a big, full onto the velvety smooth Mercer Wines A complex blockbuster McPherson MWC and nicely weighted palate. $50 Nouveau Hunter of a wine with lovely Central Vic Shiraz palate. $34.95 Shanahans Valley Shiraz 2022 lifted spicy black fruit Mourvedre 2020 The Old Dog Barossa HHH 91pts characters layered with HHH1/2 92pts Nature Foundation Valley Shiraz 2021 A subtle peppery fruit rose petal-like nuances. Bright red wine with Barbara Hardy HHH1/2 93pts bouquet with a lean light Lovely mouthfeel and a fresh berry bouquet McLaren Vale Shiraz Rich and juicy with a berry palate. $30 vibrant tannins. $89 and a mid-weight 2021 HHHH 94pts dark spicy fruit nose Tenafeate Creek palate full of fleshy fruit Nice example of a and a fruity palate Purple Haze Krondorf Moculta flavours. $22 McLaren Vale style with showing a firm tannin (Preservative Free) Eden Valley Shanahans The great presence of lifted backbone. $23 One Tree Hill Shiraz Shiraz 2020 Reaper Barossa black fruit characters 2022 HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 96pts Valley Shiraz 2020 and good tannin level. Very youthful with dense Dark purple full-bodied HHH1/2 92pts $20 inky fruit characters and wine that is developing A shiraz that is more in big silky tannins. $38 nicely with fruit in the the savoury spectrum Bec Hardy McLaren KAP Bros McLaren rich ripe strawberry-like with meaty fruit Vale Shiraz 2021 Vale Shiraz 2021 spectrum and chocolaty characters. “Has good HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts elements with nice bones!” Pun intended. A velvety smooth shiraz Big, fruity and savoury tannins. $40 $80 with lovely lifted red with leathery notes Mount Avoca berry fruit nose and and quite a soft tannin Shanahans Silence Moates Lane palate and a big tannin profile. $27.50 is Golden Barossa Pyrenees Shiraz presence. $30 Heritage Estate Valley Shiraz 2020 2020 HHH 91pts Granite Belt Shiraz HHHH 94pts Lovely cool climate Viveur Limestone Mourvedre Grenache A savoury, well- shiraz with fresh lifted Coast Shiraz 2021 2021 HHH 91pts structured, oak driven red berry fruit and a HHHH 94pts A solid meaty/ style of shiraz with licorice thread. $24 Savoury nose with savoury blend with a bright red fruit pushing a spicy lift. Rich and velvety smooth tannin through and drying rounded in the mouth backbone. $37 tannins. $30 and full of fruit flavours with drying tannins. $34.95 92 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Haselgrove Bella BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Vigna McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 HHH 91pts Savoury aromas with a slight leathery note and a long, warm, red berry palate. $30 Haselgrove Tusail McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 HHH 91pts Good commercial style; a mix of fruit, chocolate, licorice and leathery characters. $60 Te Awanga Estate Marisco Vineyards Trademark Hawke's A Sticky End Bay Syrah 2018 Marlborough Noble HHH 91pts Sauvignon Blanc A lean tarry oak 2021 HHHH1/2 dominated wine with 96pts herbaceous elements Burnt orange-like and some nice chocolaty bouquet lifted with zesty notes. $109.99 lime characters and a luscious silky smooth Mount Avoca fruit driven palate. Lovely Cellar Reserve viscous mouthfeel and Pyrenees Shiraz a good level of acid to 2015 HHH 91pts balance. $31.99 An aged savoury style with a brick red hue, Marisco Vineyards Gapsted Wines Alpine spicy tar characters and The Ned Marlborough Road King Valley developed tannins. $80 Pinot Gris 2022 Prosecco NV Slightly pink in colour with Pristine colour, floral citrus SWEET a pungent and spicy nose nose with smoked meat WHITES showing a hint of citrus notes and a bright, crisp that follows through onto and crunchy palate with 2 TASTED the rich palate with its nice apple-like flavour profile. $18 1 AWARDED clean line of acid. $19.99 Gapsted Wines Marisco Vineyards Phone: 03 5751 9100 Phone: +64 9 522 9684 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Web: www.marisco.co.nz 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. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 93

GOVERNMENT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GRANTS Wine making is an age-old art. New technologies, new approaches to cultivation and fermentation of grapes are constantly being developed. Innovation begins from the growing, harvesting, and aging process right through to corking, bottling, packaging, storing, and shipping. Wineries and innovative businesses that experiment, design, and create new methods in any of the above processes maybe eligible for the Federal Governments Research & Development Grant. So what are you waiting for? Let your new grant take your business to the next stage today. For a no obligation chat call us now. Tel: (02) 8861 9876 • Fax: (02) 8861 9801 • [email protected] 52 O’Connell St, Parramatta NSW 2150 P.O. Box 2407, North Parramatta NSW 1750 www.thegrantspecialists.com.au

on the scene VINEYARD EST. 1985 ELEVATION 890m GRAND MILLESIME Ph: (02) 6363 5602 Australia's Burgundy Specialist. Visit our Email: [email protected] website for a huge range of wine from Bourgogne to the finest Grand Crus. Web: www.highlandheritage.com.au Well over 1000 different products always available including old vintages. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Email: [email protected] Website: www.grandmillesime.com.au DO YOU WANT OVER 500K PEOPLE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS? PERFECT FOR ALL: • Cellar Doors • Restaurants • Online Liquor Stores • Wine, Whisky or Gin Bars • Accommodation / Bed & Breakfast CONNECT ON SOCIAL WITH WINESTATE www.facebook.com/Winestate-Magazine twitter.com/winestateed www.instagram.com/winestate/ Follow us and keep up to date with all our latest wine info, tastings, competitions and events on facebook, twitter and instagram. November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 95

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contact details BEST VALUE BUYS DiGiorgio Family Wines PINOT GRIS & PINOT GRIGIO SEMILLON & BLENDS Phone: 08 8736 3222 Gapsted Wines Email: [email protected] Brockenchack Wines Australian Vintage Limited Phone: 03 5751 9100 Web: www.digiorgio.com.au Phone: 07 5458 7700 Phone: 08 8172 8333 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]. Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Plantagenet Wines Web: www.brockenchack.com.au au Phone: 08 9851 3131 Web: www.australianvintage.com.au Marisco Vineyards Email: [email protected] Field Day Wine Co. Phone: +64 9 522 9684 Web: www.plantagenetwines.com Phone: 0456 614 521 Coughlan Estate Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 0488 472 056 Web: www.marisco.co.nz Sidewood Estate Pty Ltd Web: www.fielddaywineco.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8389 9234 Web: www.coughlanestate.com.au NEW RELEASES Email: [email protected] Hahndorf Hill Winery Web: www.sidewood.com.au Phone: 08 8388 7512 Drury Lane Wine Beklyn Email: cellardoor@hahndorfhillwinery. Phone: 0423 798 999 Phone: 0405 189 363 ROSÉ com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au Web: www.drurylane.com.au Web: www.beklynwines.com Brockenchack Wines Marisco Vineyards Hanging Tree Wines Coward and Black (Providore) Phone: 07 5458 7700 Phone: +64 9 522 9684 Phone: 0418 649 554 Phone: 08 9755 6355 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]. Email: [email protected] Web: www.brockenchack.com.au Web: www.marisco.co.nz au Web: www.providore.com.au Web: www.hangingtreewines.com.au Bunnamagoo Estate Wines Totino Estate Wines Marisco Vineyards Phone: 02 6373 3046 Phone: 08 8349 1200 Hay Shed Hill/Pitchfork Phone: +64 9 522 9684 Email: sales@bunnamagoowines. Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 9755 6046 Email: [email protected] com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.marisco.co.nz Web: www.bunnamagoowines.com. RIESLING Web: www.hayshedhill.com.au au Sidewood Estate Pty Ltd Brockenchack Wines Singlefile Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 08 8389 9234 Duxton Vineyards Phone: 07 5458 7700 Phone: 0409 108 166 Email: [email protected] Phone: 0417 413 446 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.sidewood.com.au Email: casey.mohr@duxtonvineyards. Web: www.brockenchack.com.au Web: www.singlefilewines.com com.au Totino Estate Wines Web: www.petespure.com.au Gapsted Wines SPARKLING & CHAMPAGNE Phone: 08 8349 1200 Phone: 03 5751 9100 Email: [email protected] James Kalleske Wines Email: [email protected] Fine Wine Wholesalers Phone: 0401 632 620 Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Phone: 08 9314 7133 NZ RECENT RELEASES Email: james@jameskalleskewines. Email: [email protected] com Kerrigan + Berry Web: www.fww.com.au Booster Wine Group Web: www.jameskalleskewines. Phone: 08 9755 6046 Phone: +64 68 79 8768 com.au Email: [email protected] Taltarni Vineyards Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5459 7915 Web: www.boosterwinegroup.nz McPherson Wines Pty Ltd Kies Family Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 9263 0200 Phone: 08 8524 4110 Web: www.taltarni.com.au Haha Wine Company Ltd NZ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 6 833 7814 Web: www.mcphersonwines.com.au Web: www.kieswines.com.au Yalumba & Hill-Smith Family Vineyards Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8561 3563 Web: www.hahawine.co.nz SAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS Knappstein Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8841 2100 Web: www.yalumba.com Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Field Day Wine Co. Email: cellardoor@knappsteinwines. Zealand Phone: 0456 614 521 com.au Phone: +64 9 336 8368 Email: [email protected] Web: www.knappsteinwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.fielddaywineco.com Web: www.Pernod-Ricard-nz.com Lark Hill Peter Teakle Wines Phone: 02 6238 1393 PINOT NOIR Phone: 0499 235 527 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.larkhillwine.com.au Bream Creek Vineyard Web: www.peterteaklewines.com Phone: 03 6231 4646 Paracombe Premium Wines Email: fred@breamcreekvineyard. Phone: 08 8380 5058 com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.breamcreekvineyard. Web: www.paracombewines.com com.au Peter Teakle Wines Coal Pit Vineyard NZ Phone: 0499 235 527 Phone: +64 27 693 6111 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.peterteaklewines.com Web: www.coalpitwine.com Rikard Wines Phone: 0428 633 320 Email: [email protected] Web: www.rikardwines.com.au November/December 2022 W I N E S TAT E 97

aftertaste ELISABETH KING THE SUN KEEPS RISING ON TEQUILA - SALES SURGE WORLDWIDE ONE of my most memorable encounters with Celebrities have been instrumental in Jalisco and mineral rich water from El Volcan tequila took place in Acapulco. We stopped elevating tequila to the pinnacle of the high- de Tequila, El Tequileno's range includes by a famous beach bar where the guests end sipping stakes. George Clooney, Sean the sublime Anejo Gran Reserva - silky, floated in small dinghies in shallow waters Combs (a.k.a P.Diddy), Justin Timberlake, peppery and grassy. and the waiters waded out to serve them Rita Ora and Kylie Jenner have fast-tracked drinks. Once back on dry land, we seated consumer awareness for premium tequila Tequila has also joined the pink drink ourselves at the main bar and the manager through their social media channels. In trend. Pink gin reported a 16 per cent surge suggested we try tequila slammers. 2017, Diageo bought Casamigos, the in global sales in 2021 and the popularity super-premium tequila brand founded by of rosé and rosé champagne shows no In most cases, the classic drink mixes Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman sign of abating, especially among Gen tequila and lemonade in a shot glass in an agreement which valued the brand Zers and Millennials. Pink gins derive their which is then banged on a hard surface at $US 1 billion. colour mainly from berry maceration, but to bubble up the carbonated beverage pink tequilas often rely on maturation in before being thrown back in one gulp. Only In the US, there has been a strong trend red wine barrels to acquire their rosy glow. at this trendy bar they used champagne as in upscale bars of using tequila in place of According to IWSR, a number of producers the fizzer. When the bartender came to me brown spirits in popular classic drinks such have made use of specific red wine barrels he told me firmly that I couldn't order the as the Manhattan and the Old-Fashioned. such as ones sourced from the Napa drink - \"Because you are a woman\". I was The Bloody Mary becomes a Bloody Maria Valley for Codigo's 1530 Rosa Reposado grateful to him the next morning when my when tequila is swapped for vodka and or Mexican cabernet sauvignon barrels for male colleagues had lethal hangovers after tequila mojitos are now a popular choice Ana Maria Tequila Rosa. tossing back far too many of the upmarket instead of the white rum original. tequila slammers. As I mentioned earlier, Australians are the RTD consumption has reached a record third biggest consumers of agave-based Today, tequila is an everyday beverage high in Australia, reveals a recent report spirits per capita, behind the US and the choice in the US, the UK and Australia. A on our national alcohol habits from Roy UK. Sebastian Reaburn, Master Distiller recent Tequila Category Assessment Report Morgan Research. A hefty 16.7 per cent at Top Shelf International, is the guiding from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis revealed of Australians drink an RTD in an average force behind NED Whisky and Grainshaker that global tequila sales are on a tear. four-week period. Tequila has muscled in Vodka - two of Australia's fastest-growing Mexico's gift to the spirit world will grow at on the sector and big winners during the spirits labels. Top Shelf also established a CAGR of seven per cent through to 2026 Covid-19 pandemic include Jose Cuervo the Australian agave project on its Eden compared to two per cent for the total spirits Margarita and the locally made MEXINK Lassie farm in Bowen, Queensland, where market. Worldwide sales of tequila surged range, including Spicy Jalapeno Margarita the bio-mass growth of the 500,000 blue 46 per cent in 2020 alone. and Coco-Ho Coconut Margarita, which weber agave plants is tracked by camera- launched in September last year. carrying drones. By the end of 2024, one The top three regional markets for tequila million agave plants will be planted, making are the US, Mexico and Canada, which Seltzer sales in Australia are expected to the Whitsundays' property the largest single account for 88 per cent of global revenues. reach $300 million by 2025. To ride the wave, estate agave plantation outside Mexico. But Australia is a key market and is the third Compa Drinks Co launched two locally- largest consumer of agave-based spirits per made sparklers mid-year - Grapefruit and In September, Top Shelf announced that its capita. So popular has tequila become in Mango Seltzers. Made with premium 100% first Aussie agave spirit would be released in recent years that the Margarita was recently Blue Agave Blanco Tequila from \"El Valle de late 2024 under the Act of Treason banner. named Australia's #1 most popular cocktail, Tequila\" and mixed with sparkling water and According to Trent Fraser, the company's edging out the Espresso Martini. natural fruit flavours, the duo is inspired by President Agave - \"Our mission is to create the classic cocktails - the Grapefruit Paloma a stunning, regionally expressive, Australian Since 2015, a major transition has been and the Mango Margarita. terroir-driven spirit to the world and we are taking place. Back then standard tequila already feeling a buzz of excitement about accounted for more than 50 per cent of My favourite launch this year was El creating this new agave spirits category\". global sales, by contrast to super premium Tequileno, one of the world's most coveted tequila's 13 per cent market share and 33 tequila brands. Founded in 1959 by tequila per cent of volume sales. By 2026, IWSR luminary, Don Jorge Salles Cuervo, the predicts that super premium tequila will exquisite drop is named in honour of the reach a 55 per cent share of the category's people of Tequila - the town, not the spirit. value globally and close to a 40 per cent Containing only the best blue agave from volume share. the premium growing area of Los Altos de next issue: As it gets to this point each year when we introduce the upcoming Annual Wine Of The Year Awards edition (Jan/Feb issue) it also makes us look back at the year that's been. It seems that the hits keep on coming both in a negative and a positive sense. This issue covers all the highlights of the four, four-and-a- half and five stars reviews from 2022 and also the outstanding Wine of the Year Awards winners. Plus, an exciting tasting of white spirits and the latest new release wines on offer. 98 W I N E S TAT E November/December 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