2018 Coriole Fiano, McLaren Vale

After solid rainfalls during 2017 and early 2018 the vineyards were in good health heading into the growing season. Early spring was cold which led to late budburst and early predictions were for a late vintage. As the season progressed rainfall reduced and we had several warm spells which brought on ripening. A warm dry summer led to much lower yields than initially expected, some bunch weights were half what they were in 2017. Picking started in earnest in mid February and proceeded at a leisurely pace throughout March and into early April. 2018 is shaping up to be a vintage of exceptional quality. The resulting wines are intense and concentrated, the whites rich and flavoursome, the reds structured and complex.

A rich , complex and full example of this great variety. The intruiging nose keeps you going back for further exploration; white necterine, butter poached fruit, baked aple, fresh cut hay, rosehip & papaya to name a few. The palate is beautifully balanced with great natural acidity, a soft, creamy texture and an array of citrus characters. We’re deliberately going for a more textrual style and this variety loves McLaren Vale’s warm, Mediterannean climate which encourages wines of aromatic intensity and textural generosity. Ideally, you would get a couple of cases of this wine and enjoy the layers that unfold.

Has fresh fruit on the nose, with lemon, a hint of pineapple and suggestions of complexity from grape soils in the fermentation. There’s an intriguing sweet/savoury interplay in the flavours and the length is excellent. 

95 points Australian Gourmet Traveller

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So pure and fine, yet textural and gently chalky too. Lemon verbena, fresh apple, white peach, dried herb. It grips on the finish, and offers a wonderful drinking experience from start to finish. Well, it’s probably 93 points, but feel like adding one because it’s just so jolly nice.

94 points winefront.com.au

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