Category Archives: Adelaide Hills

2012 SC Pannell Adelaide Hills Syrah

When I last had a chat to Steve Pannell in August he stressed the importance he placed on value, feeling that it was a concept that had been, to an extent, lost. You needn’t look any further than this Syrah … Continue reading

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2013 SC Pannell Sauvignon Blanc

The ABV reads high but you don’t notice any warmth. Just lots of flavour and significant body. I’ve seen some insipid early picked Sauvignon Blanc from the 2013 vintage in the Adelaide Hills and I far prefer this type of … Continue reading

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2013 Wirra Wirra The Lost Watch Adelaide Hills Riesling

A fair amount of acid slicing through the flavours in this year’s Lost Watch Riesling. Could do with some more time in the bottle unless you like them especially frisky or nervous. Lemons, limes, tart green apple skins and talc. … Continue reading

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2013 K1 by Geoff Hardy Hand Crafted Grüner Veltliner

While the words “Hand Crafted” irritate me as much as the “Reserve” moniker, I sympathise as the winery is looking at more of a Smaragd take on the grape – greater complexity and more weight – and you have to … Continue reading

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2013 K1 by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner

2013 marks the first year that K1 by Geoff Hardy (or any Australian producer for that matter) has released two distinctly different styles of Grüner Veltliner. This one roughly corresponds to the Federspiel style designating wines with alcohols between 11% … Continue reading

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2012 O’Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

The first bottle of this, reviewed here, exhibited a strong stink which never departed over a couple of days. I won’t try to guess what the issue was. That’s best left for laboratories. Wine reviewers are better suited to tasting … Continue reading

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2013 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc

Shaw + Smith’s cash cow. The wine that enables them to explore Shiraz and Chardonnay with greater freedom. I still think they show considerable care when sourcing fruit and making the wine and it’s not a bad Sauvignon Blanc. But … Continue reading

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2012 O’Leary Walker Pinot Noir

I’m not a huge fan of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir, it must be said. But there are a few issues here that go beyond that. Stinky, rubbery reduction…or something. I immediately wonder if this is a bad bottle. The fruit … Continue reading

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2012 Mike Press Shiraz

A particularly good release of the Mike Press Adelaide Hills Shiraz this year. I like the balance, the vitality and the structure. Plummy and peppery with typical vanilla accents from the American oak that Mike favours with his Shiraz. Maybe … Continue reading

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2013 O’Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

From a vineyard planted in 1990. No real wine-making tricks to speak of. The intent seems to be focused on maintaining purity of fruit. Quite interesting and prominent blackberry leaf aromas stand out and are probably my favourite feature. It’s … Continue reading

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