Eden Valley 12.5% Screwcap $25 Source: Sample
I was rather excited when the new releases from Smallfry showed up on my doorstep and Wayne Ahrens was kind enough to include a rizza with a bit of age amongst them too. I got to meet him briefly last week and was looking forward to discussing vinous matters with him over breakfast but sadly things just got too busy. All the more reason to keep planning my trip to the Barossa and McLaren Vale later in the year.Limes, lemon blossom, toast and fair bit of spice with a little chalkiness and a load of minerality tending towards a flinty/steely lemony finish along with hints of dried herbs. Coming along beautifully and with a fair bit of time left for it to blossom further. There’s just a suggestion of honey at the moment. Remarkable length and a palate which builds right through to its satisfying conclusion. Great stuff and a steal at the price. Despite the toastiness its really still zesty and retaining most of its youthful characters. There’s just an richer aged layer starting to appear underneath.
It would be hard to keep your hands off this as it’s drinking so well at the moment, poised between adolescence and real maturity, but if you can it’s only going to get more interesting from here. Love at first sight.
Winery Website- https://www.smallfrywines.com.au/