November 2024
By MaryAnn Worobiec
Pineapple, pear, apple and lemon curd flavors are precise, fresh and juicy, with ripe, salted melon and candied ginger notes lingering on the crisp finish. Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Viognier.
89 points
Descendant Barossa Valley 2021
Aromatic and intriguing, with lavender, white pepper, rosemary and Earl Grey notes that are plump, juicy and velvety. Details of gingerbread, wintergreen and clove linger, along with a touch of Asian five-spice. Shiraz and Viognier
93 points
Les Amis Barossa Valley 2021
Fragrant and expressive, with distinctive notes of kirsch and black walnut liqueur up front. Offers details of apricot preserves and salty black licorice, plus a touch of dried violet, all on a dense and fleshy frame. There's a lovely element of juicy acidity alongside toasted tobacco accents that linger. Grenache.
93 points
RunRig Barossa Valley 2021
A wonderfully fruit-forward red, showing ripe black cherry, apricot and framboise notes up front, with details of chicory, singed palo santo and dark chocolate–covered salted caramel. The tannins are plush and open knit, with a juicy quality and a softness that makes this immensely drinkable
92 points
Sémillon Barossa Valley Woodcutter's 2023
Firm and fleshy, with pear, peach and dried apricot flavors that mingle with bright citrus notes. A touch of salted melon lingers on the finish
89 points
The Factor Barossa Valley 2021
Offers a dense, powerful mix of violet, bittersweet chocolate and sandalwood-infused morello cherries in syrup. Blueberry, blackberry and date-nut bread flavors are plump on a frame of polished and toothsome tannins. Clove and Saigon cinnamon notes linger, with a powerful crescendo on the finish
96 points
The Forebear Barossa Valley 2019
A stunning red wine, this starts off spicy, with distinctive notes of Saigon cinnamon, cardamom and clove adding warmth and depth to the generous core of black fruit flavors and blackberry preserves. Offers hints of dried herbs, tobacco and cedar, along with a slice of Black Forest cake that lingers on the finish
97 points
The Laird Barossa Valley 2019
A powerful, dense and dark mix of huckleberry, blackberry and salted black licorice notes leaps out of the glass, with accents of bittersweet chocolate, palo santo, black pepper and black walnut liqueur. For all its depth and darkness, the tannins are polished and velvety, and the concentration brings promise for a long life in the cellar.
96 points
The Pict Barossa Valley 2021
Full of personality, with juicy blackberry and huckleberry flavors that bring a brambly quality, plus dense, meaty tannins. Notes of sage, mint, black tea and chocolate leave a lasting impression alongside a hint of peppermint. Long finish
92 points
The Steading Barossa Valley 2022
Distinctive and expressive, with date nut bread, nutmeg, Earl Grey and star anise accents to the plum, cherry and blueberry flavors at the core. Highly detailed, with smooth, satiny tannins lingering on the long, beautiful finish.
92 points
The Steading Blanc Barossa Valley 2023
Offers a supple, elegant mix of apricot, lemon curd and baked apple notes on a medium frame, with bright acidity and orange blossom details on the long finish. Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier
89 points
The Struie Barossa 2022
Dense and powerful, featuring a concentrated mix of blackberry, huckleberry and blueberry syrup flavors on a velvety frame, with details of Pu'er tea, dark chocolate, singed palo santo, candied walnut, black pepper and toffee that linger. Despite all the concentration, there's a lovely sense of elegance, with an open-knit frame and a long, lingering finish.
94 points