Category Archives: Adelaide Hills

2012 Wirra Wirra Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc

I’m on the record as one who, within the realm of aesthetics, values dissonance and even “cruelty” – in Antonin Artaud’s sense of the word. But I don’t always go out of my way to find challenging wines that question my … Continue reading

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2010 O’Leary Walker Wyebo Shiraz

A reader kindly brought my attention to the existence of this wine from O’Leary Walker and asked for my thoughts on how it stacked up against the more well-known and illustrious 2010 Shaw + Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz. The answer is, extremely … Continue reading

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2012 SC Pannell Pronto Bianco

For all the success Stephen Pannell has had with his Grenache and Nebbiolo, he’s still a champion of blended wines. This one is made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio from the Adelaide Hills, all adding a distinct … Continue reading

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2012 O’Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

In October of 2006 Glenn Richards of Augie March posted an update on the band’s website entitled “MISSES WOODY ALLEN’S NEW FILM AND DRINKS TWO OLEARY WALKER CHARDONNAYS COS HE HAS TO DO THIS ARTICLE”. They were touring heavily on the back of the “Moo, … Continue reading

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2010 S.C. Pannell Syrah

Well, turns out there’s 2% Viognier in this savoury, spicy minx but I didn’t pick it up while tasting. How clumsy of me. Plenty of violet florals and textural nous. Some toned down whole bunch work in evidence but it’s not a … Continue reading

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2012 Michael Hall Sauvignon Blanc

Michael Hall is a winemaker to watch. Since his first release of a couple of Syrahs and a Chardonnay from the 2007 vintage he’s expanded his portfolio and moved from strength to strength. This is Sauvignon Blanc for grown ups and … Continue reading

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2012 Kirrihill Serendipity Vineyard Pinot Grigio

Made for a very specific demographic I suspect. One that probably doesn’t visit this kind of site very often. Certainly won’t help the confusion between Gris and Grigio. As much about sherbet and boiled lollies as it is about pears … Continue reading

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2008 By Jingo Adelaide Hills Montepulciano

By Jingo winemaker John Gilbert certainly packs personality into these wines. This is overwhelmingly vinous and full of intrigue. Montepulciano is the grape in question; its spiritual home is in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. It smells of saddle … Continue reading

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2011 K1 by Geoff Hardy Arneis

Arneis hails from Piedmont in north-west Italy. This version (which incorporates 2% Riesling)  is another good option for Spring and Summer drinking. I like its savoury character and resolute but not overly agressive acidity. An interesting set of flavours too; not dominated … Continue reading

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2012 K1 by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner

This makes three successful Australian Grüners that I’ve tried, the others being Hahndorf Hill and Lark Hill. I’ve not tried the Stoney Rise and the Mac Forbes and Hesketh are both sourced from Austria, so they don’t count. Not as much … Continue reading

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