2018 Deviation Road Loftia Vintage Brut, Adelaide Hills

50/50% chardonnay/pinot noir, 40 months on lees, disgorged Sept '21. 4.5g/L dosage. Complex floral and citrus aromas, toasted bread and grilled nuts lead to an assertive palate, concentrated in flavour. A lovely freshness here, bright and zesty, but with some considerable depth, too.

93 points Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

Deviation Road Loftia Vintage Brut from the cool-climate heights of the Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s most refined traditional method sparkling wines. Crafted by Kate Laurie, a winemaker with Champagne training and a deep love for méthode traditionnelle, Loftia is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from high-altitude vineyards around Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley. These elevated, misty sites produce grapes with high natural acidity and intense citrus-driven purity, ideal for sparkling wine of elegance and ageability.

Kate and husband Hamish Laurie have built Deviation Road into one of Australia’s great sparkling houses, and Loftia is the estate’s flagship vintage cuvée. It spends around three years on lees before disgorgement, gaining complexity while retaining the zesty backbone that’s the hallmark of Adelaide Hills fizz.

The wine opens with aromas of lemon curd, white blossom, crunchy apple and toasty brioche. The palate is vibrant and crisp with layers of grapefruit, almond, sea spray and a creamy mousse that leads to a dry, mineral finish. It’s fresh but serious, built to impress both Champagne lovers and local fizz aficionados alike.

Perfect with oysters, grilled scallops, or even roast chicken with lemon and herbs. Drink now for its tension and sparkle or cellar for 5 to 7 years to let the autolysis and richness evolve.