Sidewood Estate is a family-owned winery founded in 2004 with a vision to create beautifully balanced, elegant wines with a sense of place to reflect the soil and climate of the Adelaide Hills. It all started with the 120-hectare Mappinga estate, near Oakbank, but there are now also vineyards at Nairne and Echunga. Each site offers unique characteristics in its grapes. Mappinga is the coolest and Nairne the warmest, while Echunga is a specialist Shiraz site.
Having enjoyed the Pinot Noir so much, I had to taste their range of wines. The Sidewood Estate Adelaide Hills Shiraz proved to be the star of the show - a real find! A winner of 8 GOLD Medals and a 95 point rating from James Halliday, the 2019 Shiraz is a fantastic wine at an unbelievable bargain price.
Stocks have just arrived and other wines will follow.
Sidewood Estate Adelaide Shiraz 2019 14.5% 6x75cl £108.00
Trophy and 8 Gold Medals
“95 points. Quintessential Adelaide Hills shiraz. Dark berries and aromatic garden herbs, swirling fruit with a classy Amaro bitters edge and fine tannins providing a gently chewiness. A terrific expression of region and variety.” Tony Love (James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion)
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Now about that Pinot Noir. From the 2019 vintage only 250 dozen bottles were produced from the famed Abel clone of Pinot Noir. This clone is supposedly sourced from the Romanee Conti vineyard in Burgundy, which was then widely cultivated in New Zealand.
Sidewood Estate Abel Pinot Noir 2019 13.0% 6x75Cl £162.00
“96 points. Bright brick red colour, a little shy to the nose, though thoroughly enticing, perhaps because of this. Shag-pile carpet softness on the palate offers a gentle feel, before you notice its fruit-driven acidity in a delicate wave of subtle and sophisticated pinot. As alluring as pinot can be.” James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
“The palate is full and rounded, rich and ripe, with lovely balance and a splendid array of flavours. Long carry, appealing balance and harmony. Great value.” Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
Aromas of mulberry and dark plum jump from the glass, seamlessly leading to the velvety palate of blue berries, liquorice, loamy soil and black truffle. Concentrated flavours that remain light on the palate, with a finessed elegant finish.It shows how well the Adelaide Hills is suited to producing top quality Pinot Noir.
You should get to know these wines, they would go brilliantly with the traditional Easter dishes. Go to Sidewood Estate to reserve your stocks NOW!
Best Wishes
Craig