2026 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Fiano, McLaren Vale

From five estate blocks, fermented 80% in steel, with 20% split between larger format oak and concrete eggs. Cool, native ferment, with 10% mlf. Vintage '26 is looking to be a fine white vintage. Expressive in its range of lemon pith, grapefruit, makrut lime and beachy scents, with hints of mint and holy basil. It has a mineral side, too, with a subtle ground-stone quality, a rock skipped over sun-kissed waves. OK, a bit much, but I’m going with it. The tension is finely tuned between acidity and pith, the feel seamless at this early juncture, the length sustained.

95 points Special Value Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion

Six generations of the Oliver family have farmed their McLaren Vale property, making Oliver's Taranga one of the region's great family wine stories. Today, winemaker Corrina Wright continues that tradition with a wonderfully adventurous approach to Mediterranean varieties. Fiano has become a particular success, thriving in McLaren Vale's warm climate and producing whites with delicious texture, freshness and personality.

Originally from southern Italy, Fiano is well suited to South Australia's sunshine, retaining natural acidity while developing appealing stone fruit and savoury flavours. The Small Batch range allows the family to explore varieties that flourish in their estate vineyards, with the 2026 offering a bright, contemporary expression of this increasingly popular grape.

Pale straw yellow with soft golden highlights. Fresh nectarine, crunchy pear and lemon zest mingle with orange blossom, green almond and a suggestion of wild fennel. The palate is lively and beautifully textured, with juicy orchard fruit, refreshing citrus acidity and a gentle savoury richness. A touch of sea salt and almond skin adds interest to the clean, mouthwatering finish.

A terrific match for grilled calamari with chilli and parsley, crispy zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, or Vietnamese turmeric fish with fresh dill. For something wonderfully Italian, try spaghetti with clams, garlic and a little lemon zest.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2031. Deliciously fresh in its youth, with the texture and acidity to develop appealing nutty complexity over several years.