“In all the tasting that occurs over the year, there are single-producer focus articles, verticals, vineyard deep-dives, regional overviews, varietally based investigations and exciting new releases, but where do the great wines that are released each week go—brilliant wines that are either delivered at times where they don’t “fit in” to reports under construction or are just too good to hang around and wait for the next one? Monthly, I will be releasing as many notes as possible under a “new releases” umbrella, which will encompass wines from both New Zealand and Australia. – EL”
THE PICTURE SERIES
2023 Yesterday’s Hero, McLaren Vale Grenache – 95 points
“The 2023 Yesterday’s Hero Grenache is lithe and spicy, with sweet tobacco, clove, raspberry pip, blood orange and wild strawberry. The wine is balanced and exciting, with threads of saline acidity woven throughout, allowing the inherent perfume of Blewitt Springs to rise to the fore. I note that the last time this wine was reviewed was the 2011, and the fruit was sourced from Barossa. The switch to McLaren Vale makes ultimate sense to me, and this is a magnificent expression. Highly recommended. 14.4% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink Date: 2025 – 2033″ – EL
2023 Brave Faces, Barossa Valley GMS – 92 points
“The 2023 Brave Faces Grenache Mourvèdre Shiraz hails from a cooler and often wet season in the Barossa, but the conditions have done the wine no disservice. Here, we have a detailed roll call of vibrant berry fruits, layers of dried herbs and exotic spices, crushed rocks and brine. The wine is medium-bodied at best, lacy and fine, and the acidity is juicy. It’s a pleasure to drink. Recommended. 14.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink Date: 2025 – 2033″ – EL
THE GARDEN SERIES
2022 Bella’s Garden, Barossa Valley Shiraz – 94 points
“The inky 2022 Bella’s Garden Shiraz is saturated, positively dripping in purple fruit on the nose. It has cassis, milk chocolate, raspberry and licorice and the all-too-familiar splay of earth-derived tannins on the palate that speak eloquently of the Barossa, with iodine, red earth, brick dust and pastrami. It’s an epic wine. 14.6% alcohol, sealed under Diam. Drink Date: 2025 – 2032″ – EL
2022 Lily’s Garden, McLaren Vale Shiraz – 94 points
“The 2022 Lily’s Garden Shiraz is silky, succulent and svelte, with a score of streamlined tannins across the palate. Classically McLaren Vale in its styling, this is all exotically spiced fruit, with a midnight sky of flavors. It’s a lovely wine, hugely drinkable and delicious. If you are wondering what McLaren Vale Shiraz tastes like, in a nutshell, this is it; the spectrum expands well into the distance to both sides of it, this occupying the plum space in the middle. 14.6% alcohol, sealed under Diam. Drink Date: 2025 – 2032” – EL
2022 Charlie’s Garden, Eden Valley Shiraz – 93 points
“The 2022 Charlie’s Garden Shiraz is classically Eden Valley, pulling together the threads of DNA that runs between these Garden Shiraz wines. Each expresses the clear identity of the places from which they spring, and here, the Eden Valley shines through in the crushed quartz, leather strap, raspberry pip, licorice, raw cocoa, grated nutmeg and graphite. It’s an elegant wine that manages thrust and dry power alongside nuance and detail. 14.4% alcohol, sealed under Diam. Drink Date: 2025 – 2032” EL
2022 Samantha’s Garden, Clare Valley Shiraz – 91 points
“The 2022 Samantha’s Garden Shiraz is minty and layered with graphite, blueberry, pressed flowers and crushed rocks. The palate is inky, infused with pulverized tannin and plum skin acidity. Perhaps not as complex as the Lily’s or Bella’s, but it’s made of the same concentrated, succulent stuff. A family thread runs between, despite the difference in regions. 14.2% alcohol, sealed under Diam. Drink Date: 2025 – 2032″ – EL
