Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc from the cool, high altitude vineyards of Lenswood is a masterclass in elegance and restraint. On the nose it bursts with vibrant aromas of passionfruit, pineapple and grapefruit, hinting at the exotic fruit intensity that defines this variety. The palate however, take a more refined approach. Lean, delicate, and beautifully structured, with a touch of fresh spring vegetables and subtle herbal notes adding complexity. Tight, crisp acidity carries through to a dry, refreshing finish, making it effortlessly drinkable, seriously sophisticated expression of Sauvignon Blanc.

A sophisticated take on Sauvignon Blanc, crafted exclusively from estate-grown Lenswood fruit and aged for 6 months on lees in 3-4 yr old French oak. The result is a beautifully balanced wine that retains the vibrant, fruit driven aromatics of Sauvignon Blanc, think citrus and white peach, whilst retaining the distinctive herbaceous characteristics of the site. The seasoned French oak imparts a velvety texture, softens the acidity, and introduces a subtle savoury layer of nutty, smoky complexity. It's a more refined, food friendly expression of the variety, elegant, textural and undeniably grown up.

Complex aromas of lemon myrtle and gunflint. A tightly structured palate of grapefruit and mandarin zest with excellent natural acidity and length

The 2024 vintage of The Pawn El Desperado Sauv Blanc from Adelaide Hills is a true standout from The Pawn Wine Co. With a bright, pale straw color, this wine immediately entices the senses with its complex aromas of freshly cut grass, passionfruit, and citrus blossom. On the palate, layers of stone fruit, lemon zest, and a hint of minerality come together to create a rich and beautifully balanced wine. The crisp acidity and subtle oak notes add depth and structure, making this wine a true representation of the Adelaide Hills terroir. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a lingering impression of tropical fruit and a touch of spice. This wine is a true testament to The Pawn Wine Co's commitment to producing exceptional wines in South Australia.

Production: 2015 Vintage - 100 Cases Oak maturation: New & 2 Yr old French oak hogshead casks for 15 months. Handpicked and gently crushed just after dusk on a cool night. Matured in new & used French oak barrels for 15 months. A Cabernet with dense ripe red and blue lifted fruits and rich cassis and tobacco notes. Some spice mixed with earthy tones. The wine is full bodied and fruit forward with pleasing black fruit surrounding a leafy core. The tannins are fine and focused. Good cleansing acidity with an elegant but savoury finish

Very pale with pristine clarity and flashes of green. Nose of passionfruit, gooseberry and freshly squeezed citrus dominate, followed by more subtle grassy, leafy notes and a touch of kafir lime. Wonderfully fresh and showing precise varietal fruits: tangy passionfruit, grapefruit and lemongrass. Long and punchy with great purity, line and a mouth-watering, lime-juice acidity. VineyardsSourced from Jeff Gowers Lenswood Vineyards, the sauvignon blanc plantings on gravelly clay loam over red clay subsoil date back to 1999. Vinification Handpicked grapes were destemmed, crushed and cooled to five degrees Celsius while being transferred to the airbag press. The juice was then pressed into stainless steel tank, keeping the free run and pressings separate. Juice was cold settled for a week at around two degrees and then racked from gross juice lees. The free-run juice parcel was warmed and inoculated with yeast to begin fermentation. Fermentation temperature was kept low to maintain delicate aromatics. Once fermentation was dry the wine was then chilled and stabilised prior to filtration and bottling Wirra Wirra was originally established in 1894 and though abandoned after several decades of production was revived by the late Greg Trott in 1969. The winery produces exceptional value, fruit driven wine styles that dont shy away from ripeness, intensity and oak usage. Wirra Wirra is located approximately four kilometres outside of the township of McLaren Vale in the McLaren Vale wine growing region of South Australia. Wirra Wirra source fruit from estate and selected grower vineyards. Wirra Wirra is the core range but the wines are delineated by tiers including Flagship wines, RGT collection, Church Block, Mrs Wrigley range and the entry level Scrubby Rise wines. The production of these wines is overseen by Chief Winemaker Paul Smith, with able assistance from Tom Ravech and Kelly Wellington. The winery employs modern technology and new world technique to produce expressive wines of intensity, bold flavour and McLaren Vale profile.

The nose exhibits aromas of pear and citrus blossom, complemented by spicy notes. The palate is beautifully complex with pear, rock melon and lemon, followed by additional floral notes and a crisp, dry finish. Gruner Veltliner has found a new home in the cool southern Adelaide Hills where it produces white wines that capture both the old-world essence of Austria and the modern vibrancy and clarity of Australia. Vintage: The 2018 growing season started slowly, but warmer weather eventually helped to speed things up. Fruit set throughout the region was good and the low rainfall and warm weather from January to April resulted in great sugar development, while a cooler than average March offered ideal night temperatures for colour and flavour development. Nose: The nose exhibits aromas of bosc pear and citrus blossom, complemented by spicy notes. Palate: The palate is beautifully complex with pear, rock melon and lemon, followed by additional floral notes and a crisp, dry finish. Pairing: Try with a Thai chicken salad with a coriander and sweet chili dressing. Cellaring: Drink now or to 2022 Geoff Hardy's great-great grandfather, the original Thomas Hardy, first planted grapes in South Australia in the 1850s and was one of the founding fathers of the Australian wine industry. In 1980, Geoff left the then family company, Thomas Hardy and Sons, to make his own way in the Australian wine world. Geoff and fellow viticulturalist Ian Leask purchased the promising Pertaringa vineyard in McLaren Vale. A few years later, Geoff found the perfect location for producing cool climate grapes in the Adelaide Hills. He planted the vineyard in 1987 and named it K1 since this unique site was the first commercial planting of vines in the Kuitpo region in the southern Adelaide Hills. Three decades later, Wines by Geoff Hardy is made up of three South Australian wineries founded by Geoff - Pertaringa in McLaren Vale, K1 by Geoff Hardy in the Adelaide Hills and Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy sourced from a variety of premium regions across South Australia. These brands now make up Wines by Geoff Hardy and continue the 160-year old family tradition of pushing the boundaries of Australian viticulture.

Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. The wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in the wines. “When I see a weed I see the Devil” is an old grower’s mantra, but Dandelion Vineyards encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and their Wishing Clocks to blow off in Spring.

RIPOSTE BY TIM KNAPPSTEIN The Katana Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills