Langmeil

Wattle Brae Riesling 2026 was fresh and limpid on both nose and palate that were floral, lemony and mineral-inflected, with superb acid that enhanced the grace. The Freedom 1843 Shiraz 2023 was breathtaking. I was suddenly amazed by the extraordinary purity and grace presented in this fabulous beauty benefited from the cooler characteristic of the vintage. Exuding from the cup with restrained yet inviting and balanced aroma of…(for all the details, please subscribe)…added the vibrancy and juiciness to the long-lasting and flavoursome finish that had a bit of underlying salinity. The drinking window should start ‌five years later.

Langmeil Wattle Brae Riesling	2026	94
Langmeil The Freedom 1843 Shiraz	2023	95

Sami-Odi

The total production of Fraser McKinley's garage wine is normally less than 15000 bottles per year. Fermenting in the stainless steel tanks, then aging in the French pieces and without filtration, fining or sparging. All the wines are wax-sealed. Our Hill Syrah 2024 was elegantly restrained and pretty austere on nose, with loads of dried flower, crushed stone, undergrowth, blackberry and spices. Bright, fresh and juicy on taste with stunning acid and defined minerality. The flagship wine Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah is the cask selection from the two centenarian old vine plots, DW-OLD (0.775 hectare) and ER-27 (0.58 hectare). Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2023 showed less seriousness and depth but more delightfulness‌ and vibrancy than Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2024 thanks to the cooler characteristics of this vintage. Not surprisingly, the opening act was somewhat dense while it became precise and poised after two hours' aeration. Fragrant and lucid on the classy nose and palate of sweet violet, mulberry…(for all the details, please subscribe)…the powdery yet fresh, juicy and endless finish where the layered background was composed of stone, blackberry and nectar. Honestly, the marked ethereality was unusual for a Barossa Syrah. A beauty of exquisite craftsmanship and astonishing longevity. Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2024 was deep and serious on the very precise nose of dried flower, undergrowth, spices, stone and blackberry. There was a tint of density on the intense mid-palate, but still being elegantly textured thanks to the stunning acid.

Sami-Odi Our Hill Syrah	2024	93
Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah	2023	95
Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah	2024	94

Hewitson

Barrel tasting of The Dorrien Bank Cabernet Sauvignon 2026 that was elegant and acidic, with the notes of chalk, stone, fresh herb and red flowers. Monopole Mother Vine Shiraz 2023 was like a top Hermitage. Expressive on the bouquet of violet, game, spices, leather, black chocolate and black fruits. Full-bodied and smooth, with fresh acid and clear minerality.

Hewitson The Dorrien Bank Cabernet Sauvignon	2026	94
Hewitson Monopole Mother Vine Shiraz	2023	94

Vanguardist

Bright, clean and fresh La Cote Riesling 2025 had a tint of oiliness due to the full MLF. Spices, lemon and mineral notes. Like a Nahe Riesling GG. Oeno Syrah 2024 was very expressive and refreshing on the nose of orange, blueberry, dried flower, spices and stone. Elegantly textured, with stunning acid that enhanced the freshness. Grenache 2024 was fragrant yet austere on the nose and palate of crushed raspberry, sweet spices (mostly cinnamon) and stone. The Barbaresco-like taste was tannic but delicate and feminine.

Vanguardist La Cote Riesling	2025	93
Vanguardist Oeno Syrah	2024	94
Vanguardist Grenache	2024	94

Izway

Bruce Shiraz 2023 was expressive and bright on the bouquet of spices, black chocolate, game, dried flower, stone, blueberry and scrub. Smooth tannin gave subtle tension to the dense finish. Don Shiraz 2023 revealed somewhat reticent yet delightful perfumes of sweet spices&flowers and stone. Deep but bright on the backdrop. Juicy acid and polished tannin. Oscar&Matilda Shiraz 2023 exuded restrained yet refine aromas of scrub, dried flower, tar and stone. There was subtle salinity toward the end.

Izway Bruce Shiraz	2023	94
Izway Don Shiraz	2023	93
Izway Oscar&Matilda Shiraz	2023	94

Chateau Tanunda

Restrained, elegant and floral Old Vine Shiraz 2024 was austere and tannic yet delicate and mineral-inflected. The Chateau Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 possessed perfect ripeness. Very refined and fragrant on nose with a floral backdrop. Juicy and fresh on taste while austere and tannic on finish.

Chateau Tanunda Old Vine Shiraz	2024	93
Chateau Tanunda The Chateau Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon	2024	94

Z Wine

Delicate, floral and refined Section 3146 Shiraz 2023 had a spicy and mineral-inflected background. The juicy acid was stunning. August Old Vine Grenache 2023 was pretty floral. Loads of dried flower, stone, cinnamon-like sweet spices and red fruits notes Perfumed and refined. Faint oiliness toward the finish. Roman Old Vine GSM 2023 was aromatically floral (nectar?), smoothly textured and freshly acidic.

Z Wine Section 3146 Shiraz	2023	93
Z Wine August Old Vine Grenache	2023	93
Z Wine Roman Old Vine GSM	2023	93

Two Hands

Angels' Share Shiraz 2025 showed bright, violet-scented aromas. Chocolaty and smooth for the taste. Yacca Block Shiraz 2022 was refined on the floral (mostly dried flower) and stony aroma. Bright and clean, with delicate tannin.

Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz	2025	93
Two Hands Yacca Block Shiraz	2022	94

Hentley Farm

Clos Otto Shiraz 2023 was perfumed and expressive, with a lavender-scented nose where the deep background was made up of forest floor, truffle, black chocolate an spices. A tint of lush oak faded after swirling the glass. Very tannic yet polished, with juicy fruit offset the subtle density.

Hentley Farm Clos Otto Shiraz

2023

94

Hayes Family Wines

Roasted nuts, chestnut, toast, marmalade, smoke and mineral made up the well-evolved bouquet of Schulz Home Vineyard Wooded Semillon 2018. Tiny salinity toward the rounded finish. Primrose Merlot 2023 was elegantly restrained on the nose and palate of earth, spices, blackberry and stone.

Hayes Family Wines Schulz Home Vineyard Wooded Semillon	2018	93
Hayes Family Wines Primrose Merlot	2023	93