Drinkability

Wine reviews by Nick Stock

With spring seemingly bypassing us this year, the drinks dial is now set to summer as we prepare for warmer days, long afternoons and warm, balmy nights on the Fleurieu. This is a place that really shines in summer as our beaches, balconies and bunk beds fill to capacity.

Coriole

The original purveyors of Fleurieu lifestyle with wines to match, Coriole remains a reference point for all that happens in the region. Their latest wines are right up there in the quality stakes, and they trade equally on experience alongside evolution and inquisitiveness.

Brash Higgins

The new releases from Brad Hickey and Nicole Thorpe’s project continue their modern, relevant and delicious approach. With insightful blending and hand-made winemaking, this label has cleverly translated the innate qualities of the region.

Berg Herring

Chloe and Sam Dunleavy’s rustic little cellar door on Sellicks Beach Road has one of the most spectacular views across the nearby coastline. Their wines are turned out as fresh, early-drinking styles across the board. The vermentino is a particular star.

Coriole Piquepoul 2022

A relative newcomer to the region, Coriole pioneered piquepoul and continues to lead the way. This has attractive pear and lemon fruits with sweet florals and a fresh, easygoing palate. Bright crunchy texture and squeeze of citrus at the finish.

Coriole

Chenin Blanc 2022

This is such a well-honed style for Coriole and the stunning 2022 vintage has really supercharged the quality factor. Super fresh aromas of apple, lime zest, fresh pastry and sliced pear abound. The palate is cut crisp with gemstone-like clarity and brilliance. Could well be the best value white wine around this summer. Drink now.

Coriole Fiano 2022

Always satisfying and packed with juicy, fleshy fruit, this fiano is all sliced yellow orchard fruits, like peach and yellow plum, with some gently creamy notes. I just love the fleshy, mouth-filling quality of this wine and the ripe stone and citrus fruit flavours are so explosive and fresh. Drink now.

Dune El Beyda 2021

This is a special white to really savour. It’s a blend of predominantly grenache blanc with grenache gris, clairette and piquepoul and while there’s a fascinating range of fruits like apple, melon and pear, it’s really the textural smoothness and fluidity that make it unique. Some savoury bread and nutty flavours too. Drink over the next five years.

It’s a season of versatility in what we’re doing, how we’re living and what we’re eating – and the region is well-prepped with wines to cover all bases. This summer, celebrate the outstanding quality of the 2022 vintage wines while they’re in abundance. 2022 delivered such bountiful quality for the region across virtually all wine styles with intense flavours served up with freshness and approachability.

Brash Higgins Chenin Blanc 2022

One of the Fleurieu’s best chenin blanc wines, this harnesses fresh melon and apple fruits with a chamomile-like floral edge, as well as some light lemon citrus notes. The palate has rich fruit concentration balanced by very lively, fresh acidity. The result is mouth-watering! Really long flavours here. Drink or hold.

Brash Higgins Ripple 2022

Beautiful bright red and blue berry fruits with sweet florals on the nose make an attractive impression. The palate has such round mid-section flesh, flavours of black currant take centre stage and there’s an overall mouth-watering appeal. A blend of nero d’avola and cabernet sauvignon. Organic. Drink now.

Brash Higgins Nero d’Avola 2021

This is a medium-bodied red and so versatile and food-friendly through summer. It has a fresh and vibrant nose of violets and black currant, as well as raspberry and red currant and some leafy, dried herb notes. The palate is smoothly polished with salted liquorice and black currant flavours running fresh. Drink or hold.

Berg Herring Vermentino 2022

One of the best examples I’ve tasted from the whole region, this has such bracingly fresh and attractive lemon citrus and sweet-smelling florals on offer. The palate has real lemon zest punch delivered with a sleek and juicy feel. The flavours hold long, fresh and vibrant. A real thirst-quencher. Drink now.

Berg Herring Fiano 2022

This captures all the delicious, fresh peachy fruits that make this variety so appealing. There’s also a gentle spice and a little mineral edge that reminds me of fresh river-like purity and wet stones. The palate has all the flavour you’d expect with a stream of fresh peach and lemony citrus flavours that run long and fresh. Really juicy. Drink now.

Berg Herring Nero d’Avola 2022

A bright, lighter style of red that’s fine to serve lightly chilled. Plenty of fresh raspberry crush aromas here, some black currant too. There’s a clever floral edge to the nose thanks to nicely played winemaker tweaks and the palate drops tangy and crunchy raspberry and red toffee apple flavours with lip-smacking resolve. Silky smooth. So good! Drink now.