Wine reviews by Nick Stock: Drinkability

Drinkability Wine reviews by Nick Stock

The beautiful Fleurieu is fast transitioning from one of the world’s best kept secrets to one of its worst. And, while there are so many reasons the world is taking notice of this beautiful stretch of Kaurna yerta, the region’s winemakers are doing more than their fair share in driving its popularity. They’re

MMAD Vineyard

Many winemakers in McLaren Vale have ventured into the Adelaide Hills to find crisp, cool-climate whites to complement their locally grown reds, but here’s a brand-new project that runs against that tide. The inaugural releases from the Shaw + Smith crew mark an exciting new direction.

Bondar Wines

This label has quickly made a name for producing modern wines of wide-reaching relevance that are underpinned by very authentic, carefully curated regional characters. They make wines for everyday drinking that are as compelling as they are delicious.

Sherrah Wines

Alex Sherrah is a shining star in the greater galaxy of all that’s wonderful and unique about the McLaren Vale region. He has cleverly connected the dots between local quality and the tastes of contemporary wine lovers. His whites and sparkling wines lead the way in terms of sheer deliciousness and easygoing appeal.

Tapanappa Wines

From a site in the deeper reaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, doyen of the Adelaide Hills Brian Croser has pioneered cool-climate pinot noir at the Foggy Hill Vineyard. These are truly unique wines and this pinot is quietly forging a new frontier of quality.

REVIEWS:

MADD Shiraz 2021

From vines planted in 1941, this is a medium-bodied, elegant shiraz that shows a lighter touch and trades on pure fruit-derived qualities. The raspberry, red plum and red currant fruits are seasoned in light, fragrant spices. Naturally attractive and approachable, this will also cellar well.

MADD Chenin Blanc 2021

Chenin blanc is fast becoming a sought-after commodity for leading winemakers in the region and this is a super polished, powerful and striking example. The resilient acidity this variety holds underpins some clever winemaking. The result offers smooth and intense refreshment.

MADD Grenache 2021

These old vines make a style that exudes purity and poise. I like the spicy raspberry fruit aromas and there’s a prettiness to the bouquet. In the mouth it’s quite powerful with fresh, tangy raspberry and red plum flavours delivered in a crisply athletic mode. Intense: drink or cellar this.

often the people who have awakened to the beauty and potential of a place earlier than the rest of us – and they’ve committed to it. They’ve followed their desires, are on a mission to make the great wines of their dreams and they’re heavily invested: fiscally and otherwise. Our winemakers play a starring role in the experience of visiting the Fleurieu and their bottles spread the word far and wide. So my first wine column for FLM, which I’m thrilled to write looking out across beautiful Silver Sands Beach, is all about the sheer drinkability, innate quality and wide range of wine styles on offer on the Fleurieu, wines that reflect all that is great about this place.

Bondar Rayner Vineyard Grenache 2021

This wine sits right among the top tier of the region’s grenache and delivers a cascading montage of raspberry and plum fruit aromas and flavours with some subtle savoury notes. The texture is fresh, pliable and fleshy and the flavours last long and hold so fresh. Mouth-wateringly drinkable.

Bondar Higher Springs Grenache 2021

This is a single parcel from Blewitt Springs, an area famous for making grenache with purity and power. Packed with raspberry, blood orange, pomegranate and blueberry. Has a strikingly muscular feel but still sits very elegant and fresh. This is Blewitt Springs grenache done right.

Bondar Vestige Grenache 2021

A rich expression that has a fine and intense structural appeal with a wealth of ripe red and dark berry fruit aromas and flavours on offer. There’s a sense of gravitas in this wine that is captivating. Already drinking so well, this will also age for more than a decade.

Bondar Junto McLaren Vale GSM 2021

This blend of grenache, shiraz, mataro and carignan is defined by the fleshy and fruit-focused grenache component, with the others adding wider shades of fruit and complexity around the central theme of raspberries and blueberries. Youthful, spicy and deliciously drinkable.

Sherrah Skin Party Fiano 2022

The name refers to the skin contact this white receives before fermentation, adding texture and complexity to the end result. Very fresh aromas of ripe pear and apple translate to the fresh, smoothly textured palate. Soothing yet fresh, this is a clever expression of the fiano grape.

Sherrah Pet Nat 2022

A style that is so simple to enjoy but much harder to make, Alex Sherrah really knows how it’s done. Such intense lemon, peach and tropical fruits, this soft, foamy sparkling is one of the best examples of this style where fermenting wine is finished in the bottle to capture natural fizz.

Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

A pinot with bright fragrance and fruit aromas of raspberry and red plum, attractive spicy complexity too. The vivid red and blue berry fruits are wrapped in a finely textured structure, it’s so balanced, long and even. Really exciting to see this quality pinot being grown and made here.