2022 Lino Ramble Solitaire Grillo, McLaren Vale

Lino Ramble’s Solitaire Grillo is not your typical McLaren Vale white. It’s vibrant, textural and distinctly Mediterranean, made from the Sicilian grape Grillo that’s found a surprisingly good home in the warm, coastal soils of South Australia. This isn’t a wine chasing tropical fruit or oak-driven richness — it’s about savoury character, phenolic crunch and the kind of texture that invites food to the table.

The fruit is organically grown, hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. Fermentation is wild, in old French oak barrels, with extended time on lees and no fining or filtration. That hands-off approach lets the Grillo show off its natural weight and salty, lemon-pithy charm, while preserving freshness and length.

Aromatically, Solitaire is more about nuance than overt fruit — expect crushed herbs, preserved lemon, orchard blossom, sea spray and a touch of almond skin. On the palate, it's savoury and dry, with a waxy citrus character, good grip and a long, slightly briny finish that leaves you thinking of Sicilian coastlines rather than McLaren Vale vineyards. It’s a clever, unconventional white that punches well above its weight and offers something totally different.

Food pairing: perfect with grilled sardines, caponata, green olive tapenade, or a simple roast chicken with lemon and thyme. Also brilliant with hard cheeses or seafood pasta with garlic and fennel.

Cellar potential: drink now for its tension and texture, or hold 3 to 5 years for more savoury depth.