This article follows my previous article where I covered the topics of the South Australian wine masterclass where we learned about a land where some of the oldest vines and soils on earth provide the foundation for modern innovation, collaborative energy, and a profound respect for the environment. As part of the masterclass we tasted seven wines from this region; three wines from McLaren Vale, and one each from the Adelaide Hills, Langhorne Creek, Claire Valley, and Coonawarra.
Following the masterclass we moved to an adjacent room that had a series of tables setup with wines from different South Australian wineries, which we were invited to sample. Below are my tasting notes for the masterclass wines followed by a few of the wines I enjoyed in the walkabout sampling room.
Masterclass Wines Tasted
Ashton Hills Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, 2021 – the Adelaide Hills is a cool climate area, perfect for growing Pinot Noir. Their vineyards face toward the ocean so they also get cool ocean breezes. This wine had a nice light, clear garnet colour. Medium-plus sweet aromas of red and candied cherries, and cranberries. Dry, light body with a smooth and soft mouthfeel. High acidity and light tannins. It has floral, red cherries and raspberry flavours, along with a touch of pepperiness. Medium-plus to long length. 
Wirra Wirra Farmer’s Heart Grenache, McLaren Vale, 2021 – the vines for this wine average 95 years old grown on sandy soil. The area provides a Mediterranean climate that is moderated by the ocean. This wine has a medium intensity clear garnet colour. Light aromas of cherries and oak. Medium body with a smooth, lean mouthfeel. Crunchy, tart berries and a touch of violets on the palate, plus a hint of pepperiness. Medium-plus acidity and light tannins. Medium-plus length with some red liquorice flavour toward the finish. – 
Angove Family Winemakers Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre, McLaren Vale, 2021 – This winery will be 140 years old next year. Congratulations! The blend for this wine is approximately 50% Grenache and 25% each of Shiraz and Mourvèdre. This wine has a medium intensity clear garnet + ruby colour. Light cherry nose. Medium body with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Light acidity and tannins. Tart red cherries and sweet red berry flavours plus some pepperiness on the finish. Medium to medium-plus length with a little firmer tannins on the finish.
Zonte’s Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, 2022 – This Shiraz was co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier. This is a common practice, starting in the Rhone Valley, which has spread around the world. This wine has a deeper, clear ruby colour. A ripe, deep cherry nose. Dry, fuller body with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity and medium tannins. Ripe cherries along with touches of black olives, black berries, oak, and pepperiness on the palate. Medium length with medium intensity tannins. Tart red cherries and black berries on the finish. –
Taylors Wines (Wakefield) St Andrews Shiraz, Claire Valley, 2021 – This wine has a deep ruby colour. It’s very aromatic with cedar, red and black berry aromas. Medium-plus body with a very smooth texture. Quite floral along with bright red berries and sweet spices on the palate. A touch peppery. Higher acidity and light tannins. Medium-plus length finishing with a mix of tart and sweet berries plus sweet spices.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, 2022 – The vineyards for this wine receive maritime influence making it one of the last to be harvested. The top 20 – 25% of grapes go into this wine. It has an opaque ruby colour. Light aromas of capsicum and dark fruit. Medium body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Tart red and black fruit, plus cherries on the palate. Bright acidity makes you pucker. Light mouthfeel. Medium-plus length finishing with a mix of tart red and black fruit flavours.
Mollydooker Wines Gigglepot Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, 2020 – Mollydooker is an Australian slang for a left-handed person. They chose this name as the winery principals are left-handed. This is a family run winery. All of the wines are named after one of their family members. Gigglepot references one of the sisters who was giggly as a child. This wine has a medium intensity, dull garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas of capsicum and red fruit. Dry, medium body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Bright red fruit flavour with some pepperiness, vanilla, oak and capsicum. Black fruit flavour on the finish.
Walkabout Wine Tasting
Here are a few of the wines I quite liked at the walkabout wine tasting featuring south Australian wines.
Angove Little Birdie Pinot Gris 2025 – A light, fresh stone fruit nose. Dry with a medium body. Bright acidity. Fresh stone fruit flavour plus some stone fruit skin and pepperiness on the finish. Very comparable to an Okanagan Pinot Gris. –
Angove CHD Chardonnay 2024 – I am not sure what CHD stands for and cannot find any info online. This wine is tasty and is listed as a BC Liquor store exclusive, but is not yet online. This wine has a mix of butterscotch and tropical fruit aromas. Medium intensity aromas. Dry, medium body with a smooth, light mouthfeel. Butterscotch and tropical fruit flavours and a touch of sweet spices. –
Ashton Hills Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2021 – Quite a toasty nose. Medium-plus body. Toast on the palate along with tropical fruit, particularly roasted pineapple. High acidity, leaving an acidic prickle on your tongue. –
Wakefield Padthaway Chardonnay 2024 – Light aromas of vanilla, white fruits, pears and white flowers. Medium body with a round, smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity providing a freshness to this wine. Stone fruit flavours. A touch of oak and tart fruit mixed with sweet fruit on the finish. –
Wakefield Limestone Coast and Claire Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – A deep garnet colour. Ripe black berry fruit nose. Medium-plus body with a round, smooth mouthfeel. Ripe black fruits with touches of pepperiness and capsicum. Medium acidity and tannins. An easy sipper.
Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – Medium-plus, dull garnet colour. Light, but nice aromas of black fruit and a hint of capsicum. Dry, medium-minus body with a soft mouthfeel. Fresh ripe cherries and a hint of cedar on the palate. Medium acidity and tannins. Medium-plus length with a mix of puckering acidity and drying tannins finish.
Angove SMG 2024 – a BCL exclusive wine; blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre, and Grenache. Medium garnet colour. Light berry flavour. Medium body with fresh berry fruit flavours. Quite peppery. Bright acidity and medium-minus soft tannins. Tasty. –
Angove McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021 – a deep ruby colour. Lighter, ripe berry fruit nose. Lighter body with medium-plus acidity. Bright berry fruit, along with hints of oak and minerality. Medium-plus length finishing with a light touch of berry fruit flavours.
Zonte’s Footstep Blackberry Patch Cabernet 2022 – Very translucent, medium intensity garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas of capsicum plus light black fruits. Medium-plus body with bright acidity makes a tart mouthfeel. Capscicum and berry fruit flavours along with some pepperiness. –
Zonte’s Footstep Chocolate Factory Shiraz 2022 – A deep, clear mix of ruby and garnet colours. Light berry fruit nose. Off-dry, medium-plus body with a smooth mouthfeel. Tart, bright acidity. Berry fruits and touches of milk chocolate and pepper on the palate. Some puckering on the finish. –
Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz 2020 – Deep garnet colour. Dark fruit and some tarriness on the nose. Dry, medium body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Dark fruits on the palate with some pepperiness toward the finish. Medium tannins provides nice structure to this wine. –
Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – A deep, dark garnet in the glass. Medium nose showing capsicum and dark fruit aromas. Medium-plus body with a smooth mouthfeel. Capsicum, red fruit and black berries on the palate. Touches of raspberry and pepperiness. Bright acidity brings bright fruit flavour. Medium tannins. Medium-plus length.
Wynns Michael Limited Release Coonawarra Shiraz 2018 – A deeper garnet colour. Nice juicy berry nose with a touch of sweet spices. Light body, dry, with a soft mouthfeel. Medium acidity and fine grained, light tannins. Juicy berries, mineral and light oak. Medium-plus length. Elegant.
Mollydooker The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – A deep black-garnet colour. Medium intensity aroma of capsicum with light black fruit behind. Dry, medium-plus body with a thicker mouthfeel. Capsicum, black fruit, and berries on the palate with pepperiness mid palate to finish. Medium acidity and fine tannins. –
Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2022 – the boxer on the label is wearing two left-handed boxing gloves. A deep ruby colour. Deep berry fruit and black pepper aromas. Medium-plus body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Fruity, berry fruit flavour. Light, soft tannins. Medium acidity brings bright flavours. Medium-plus length with a peppery finish. –
Some of these wines are available at BC Liquor stores or private wine shops. You will need to check online.
