Deviation Road is on the rise among the most refined winegrowers of the Adelaide Hills. Its secret is its Carey Gully vineyard, planted by the family in Lenswood in 1983. At an altitude of 600m, this is the source of pristine aromatic whites and sparkling base. Its 2011 sauvignon is holding its poise beautifully almost […]
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There’s impressive poached pear and fresh lemon fruit presence here, even a touch of baked apple and nutmeg, pulling into a nicely honed tail of cool Adelaide Hills acidity from this single vineyard in Charleston. One-third fermented in old French oak barriques helps to build its finely mineral texture, rounded out just a touch by […]
readLindsay Barratt is a gentleman and a mainstay of the Adelaide Hills for more than two decades, and he’s managed to pull a fantastically pure sauvignon from, in his words, “a bitch of a year.” This is a pristine and enticingly priced Adelaide Hills sauvignon that retains sensational, youthful vibrancy in mid-2012. Notes of lime, […]
readPinot gris is the fastest growing white wine category right now, which means that too many are thrown together from young vines on less than ideal sites. Deviation Road soars high above the masses thanks not only to its pristine, high altitude, 1983 planted site but, importantly, to a gentle and skilful approach in the […]
read2011 was a game-changing vintage across south-eastern Australia, a tough, cool season that worked magic with some vineyards. Bella Coppia is cooler, calmer and fresher than ever, a wine of dazzling acidity and mouthfilling texture. Crunchy lemons, grapefruit zest, a hint of almost ripe honeydew and a varietal note of dried grass are all part […]
readThe expertise of Croser’s impeccably crafted vintage wines has filtered down to its bargain-priced non-vintage. This is a fruit-focused style of wild strawberries, golden delicious apples, wild honey and notes of mixed spice. A zesty acid cut and a fine bead make for a clean and refreshing aperitif style. $19 at Discount Wines and Jim’s […]
readConfession time. I wasn’t a big fan of the last two vintages of the Adelaide Hills’ most famous wine, eclipsed by the Chardonnay and Shiraz of the same estate. But the brand new 2012 is nothing less than stunning, returning to the classic purity that first put this wine on the map. Its citrus profile […]
readMark my words: Grüner Veltliner is the next big thing for the Adelaide Hills. New plantings, regional think tanks and experiments are playing out behind the scenes, but Hahndorf Hill was the first to take it to market two years ago. The 2012 will land shortly and it’s the most refined yet. Displaying impressive, primary […]
readSuch elegance and purity is rarely found in Australian sparkling wine, and after experiencing this wine it’s no surprise to learn that its maker Kate Laurie learnt her skill in the heart of Champagne. Her expertise is on display in this refreshing aperitif style. It’s spent 18 months on lees, and it’s only lacking the […]
readTim Knappstein clearly still has Clare flowing in his blood, because even from his base in the Adelaide Hills he’s conjured a quintessential Clare Riesling of articulate expression. It’s racy, clean and refreshing with a wonderful lift of lemon blossom and talcum powder, accurate granny smith apple and lime zest fruit, chalky mineral structure and […]
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