Ten months in French oak (30% new), the fruit from one of our highest yielding vintages is brilliant straw green in colour and displays light citrus aromas combined with white stonefruit and a wonderful creamy multi layered finish from extended time on lees. Excellent cellaring potential.

This Kuitpo Pinot Noir is a blend from two vineyards in Kuitpo, Christmas Hill and Topnote. The blocks integrate seamlessly to produce a wine portraying the gradually shortening days, the subtle look of Autumn and the gently rolling sandy loam landscape draped in morning fog in which it's grow. Partial carbonic maceration adds a floral lift to the wine with subtle earthiness and fresh strawberry notes while a portion of whole bunch gives structure and spice while maintaining the vibrancy and varietal character of Pinot Noir.

These traditional sparkling varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are sourced from the cool climate Adelaide Hills, and are picked early to retain high natural acidity. Small batches of these low yielding grapes are gently pressed in stainless stell basket presses. Following primary and partial malolactic fermentation the inidividual parcels are bottled and inoculated with yeast and sugar to encourage secondary fermentation. The cuvee is fermented in the bottle to develop complexity for approximately four years. This is a dry style sparkling with minerality, a crisp acid backbone and layers of flowers, fruits and toasty savoury nuances.

Chardonnay coming from the Bizot Vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills), planted in 1996 at 500M altitude. Hand harvested (clones 76 and 95) on 1 March 2016 and whole bunch pressed (low yields of just 487.5L per tonne). Method Classic - first fermentation and ageing on full lees in old oak for 10 months, second fermentation and ageing in bottle on lees for 42 months. Disgorged September 2020.

Pinot Noir and Meunier give the Altair power and riper red fruit aromas, and citrus lift and finesse from the Chardonnay. The addition of multi-vintage reserve wines adds depth and complexity. The fine, creamy mousse complements the peach and citrus characters. Bottle fermented and aged before a low dosage is added to balance the texture and acidity of the wine. Deviation Road produces exciting cool climate wines from mature vineyard resources in the Adelaide Hills. Owners Hamish and Kate Laurie continue a five-generation winemaking tradition. Devoted to the high-altitude sites of the Adelaide Hills and with Kate’s French oenology training, the wines they produce are both traditional and contemporary.

RIPOSTE BY TIM KNAPPSTEIN The Katana Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills