News and Reviews..
Keep up to date with all the exciting news and reviews throughout our journey.
94 Points Katrina Butler (James Halliday) - 2024 Alberts Vermentino
Halliday editor Anna Webster and I believe it's the year of the salty white. Vermentino in this country keeps getting better, and this, too, is a welcome addition to the saline scene. Sea spray and oyster shell, this is limey and briny, mouth-filling and nerve-tingling, party-starting gear. Green melon, pomelo and Granny Smith flavours keep the tastebuds tingling. It's a home run.
93 Points Katrina Butler (James Halliday) - 2024 Countryside Cabernet Sauvignon
Progressive Clare cabernet that fits the brief for barefoot backyard drinks. It's crunchy with bright blackcurrant, violet, black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity, which sets it apart from the status quo. Subtly minty, bush bark elements play at the fore, and while it's an easy drink to sip and swill, it isn't without structure. The tannins are mouthcoating and mesh-like, coarsely fraying the edges of the fruit. Pull up a chair (and barbecue) and call it a day.
91 Points Katrina Butler (James Halliday) - 2024 The Fruitful Grenache
From the Gullyview vineyard in Watervale planted in '45. I wasn't sure what to anticipate, but it wasn't the paler-than-pinot-pink hue unfurling before me. And it drank as jubey and confected as it looked, with all manner of red sweets, jellybeans, redskins, raspberry and alpine berries with a bitter Campari edge, too. A surprisingly modern grenache from old vines. It goes without saying that it takes a chill, but you needn't have to – slurpable stuff.
92 Points Katrina Butler (James Halliday) - 2024 Brothers Riesling
This is quintessential Clare riesling. It yields delicate white florals, lemon zest, green apple and a pine needle-like herbal line that stretches the margin of flavour out. The fruit feels clean, acids bright and reverberating, and the mineral tension a bonus round that will keep you coming back for more.
90 Points Katrina Butler (James Halliday) - 2024 Brothers Light Red
A blend of 75/25% grenache/vermentino. Juicy, bright, cranberry and raspberry notes dominate; this is made for a light chill and a long slurp. If you're looking for complexity and conversation, it's not here, but it sure is slam-dunk delicious.
91 Points Nick Ryan (The Australian) - 2024 Brothers Light Red
Nestled somewhere between the paler pinks of traditional rosé and the deeper crimsons of what we'd typically call "reds" lies a narrow zone of distinctive deliciousness populated by fruit-forward and sprightly wines like this. Grenache delivers spicy red berries, while Vermentino lends mineral laced edge. If you could put wine bottles in stubby holders, you'd do it with this.
93 Points Stuart Knox (Real Review) - 2024 Brothers Riesling
Light and bright lemon and lime colour. Fragrant and lifted with notes of makrut lime, honeysuckle and hint of flinty minerality. Palate shows good depth and concentration of fruit, lime melds into subtle tropical notes with adjacent notes of almond meal and river stones bringing savoury complexity. Good length and enough fruit concentration to balance the hint of grip at the finish.
92 Points Angus Hughson (Wine Pilot) - 2024 Brothers Riesling
This young and vibrant 2024 Riesling is composed but shy right now and needs time to show its best. It opens with wafts of wet stones and spice backed by a solid core of freshly sliced pear. Tense acid then drives a crystalline and linear palate that is tightly wound while a long yet fine finish bodes well for the future.
92 Points Mike Bennie (Wine Front) - 2023 Albert's Vermentino
Watervale, Clare Valley. Albert is dad Koerner’s nickname, and he decided to plant vermentino in 2009. The idea was to look at an alternate to riesling, good with dry climate and resilient in Clare.
This smells great. Fragrant wine of sea spray, green apple, tonic water, candied citrus, all up it reeks of seaside white wine, and lovely for it. Crisp texture, very saline and briny, lime again, red apple, bitter lemon elements – very well balanced, lighter weight and grippy with texture. A delight.
92 Points Mike Bennie (Wine Front) - 2023 Countryside Cabernet Sauvignon
Countryside is named for the dusty outback, the gum trees, and that this wine reflects that, which is great to lean into with honesty.
Mellow red. Soft and supple, chewy texture, blue fruits, green herbs, a bit of eucalyptus, white pepper, black olives. Delightful. Has that slurp factor and ease of drinking and wisps of lacy, silty tannin chime in. Very charming and easy to drink, with some pizzazz. Drinks fresh for the variety.
90 Points Mike Bennie (Wine Front) - 2023 The Fruitful Grenache
From vines planted in 1945. Picked for freshness.
Vibrant scents of red cherry, cranberry, rose hip tea, potpourri, dried earth and black jellybeans. Snaps to attention in the palate, a sheath of tense tannin, crisp acidity, tart cherry, bloody game meat notes, touch of ferrous earthiness, aniseed with dry herbs trailing through and a touch more bloody character. Pleasing, juicy meets crunchy style with strong savouriness in tow, as a caveat.
91 Points Angus Hughson (Wine Pilot) - 2023 Albert's Vermentino
This reserved 2023 Clare Valley Vermentino is fine yet focussed with intense aromas of citrus pith and green apple with a gentle counterpoint of raw almonds. Juicy and vibrant with mouthwatering acidity and chalky textures, the lower alcohol fitting well in the overall package before a subtle and lingering finish. While delicate now, this wine should build nicely over the next few years.