Lion Nathan Wine - Reviews

Smithbrook Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 22:54:47 GMT

West Australian, Ray Jordan (Australia), 09 Sep 10
91 Points
"A vibrant punchy sav blanc brimming with lots of beautiful guava and gooseberry nuances with some nice elevating citrus and tart grapefruit thrown in. There's a small amount of semillon which brings a little herbaceousness to the final mix. Good wine. "

Knappstein Sparkling Shiraz, NV

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 02:40:11 GMT

WBM, Tyson Stelzer (Australia), 01 Aug 10
92 Points
"With structured tannins, be careful not to over chill this wine – it prefers the same temperature as still Shiraz. This will do justice to its Clare Valley black fruits, liquorice and black pastille flavours. Attractively fruit-driven and well-balanced, it stands alongside Bleasdale as the best value sparkling red in the country."

Knappstein Shiraz, 2008

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 02:28:02 GMT

WBM, Tyson Stelzer (Australia), 01 Aug 10
93 Points
"A particularly dark and brooding Shiraz, with black plum, macerated cherries and mulberry fruit lurking amid well-handled French oak, providing nuances of dark chocolate. For all its concentration, this is a wine of crafted structure and controlled temperament, structured, linear and persistent."

Croser NV, NV

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 02:09:55 GMT

Weekend Post, B.J. (Australia), 04 Sep 10
"Croser Non Vintage Sparkling is a must for those who drink fizz only once or twice a year, and want a reliable, affordable and very drinkable bottle of bubbles. The Croser NV has had a bit of a face-lift recently, and is made as a blend of the current vintage and several older vintages, with each adding a distinctive touch to the final blend. It is an exciting bouquet of complex fruits, citrus and baked yeast characters. The Pinot Noir gives the backbone of the palate, and shows hints of red fruits, and apple. Chardonnay offers nectarine, cashew and shortbread characters. An elegant, refreshing style that's drinking beautifully on release and will develop complexity."

St Hallett Faith Shiraz, 2008

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 01:45:59 GMT

Drinks Trade, Sarah Crowe (Australia), 01 Sep 10
"Some cedar, savoury spice with blackberry fruit and generous, soft tannins."

Stonier Pinot Noir, 2009

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:20:04 GMT

The Weekly Review, Ben Thomas (Australia), 25 Aug 10
3.5 Stars
"... This smells of strawberries and spice and everything else nice - perfumed cherries and plums. Bright flavours of tart raspberries and blood plums as well as sweet cherries are balanced nicely with fine-grained tannins. It's only a pup, so give it some time in the decanter before drinking."

Wither Hills Pinot Gris, 2010

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:50:30 GMT

Cuisine, Michael Cooper (Global, New Zealand), 01 Nov 10
4 Stars

Wither Hills Pinot Gris, 2010

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:17:29 GMT

Hospitality NZ, Peter Saunders (New Zealand), 01 Aug 10
"Bottled young and free for a 2010; yes, youthful and unfolding in her own good time, yet a graceful lady. Well fruited with good drinkability and able to be enjoyed from now on although we can expect a boost in character as the weather warms up. A very nice all-purpose style, just off dry."

Two Tracks Pinot Noir, 2008

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:12:08 GMT

Wine Orbit, Sam Kim (Australia, New Zealand), 17 Aug 10
Issue No. 14
83 Points
"A pleasant drinking Pinot by Wither Hills. It's ripe and gently fragrant on the nose displaying red/black cherry, game and subtle spice characters. The palate is smooth and easy flowing with fine texture and soft tannins. The varietal expression is good."

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, 2010

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:00:08 GMT

Wine Orbit, Sam Kim (Australia, New Zealand), 17 Aug 10
Issue No. 15
93 Points
"This is just full of delicious flavours, displaying passionfruit, feijoa and lime characters on the nose. The palate is equally engaging with a juicy mouthfeel and an easy-flow texture. This is what a great Marlborough Sauvignon is all about - great fruit intensity and loads of appealing flavours. Love it!"

Wither Hills Rarangi Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:58:39 GMT

Wine Orbit, Sam Kim (Australia, New Zealand), 17 Aug 10
Issue No. 15
94 Points
"A brilliant single vineyard Sauvignon from the north-eastern part of the Wairau Valley, displaying intense aromas of passionfruit, capsicum and herbaceous characters on the nose. The palate is concentrated and pungent showing a lovely succulent mouthfeel and a lengthy finish. A serious Sauvignon yet so easy on the palate. "

Wither Hills Pinot Noir, 2008

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:55:01 GMT

Wine Orbit, Sam Kim (Australia, New Zealand), 17 Aug 10
Issue No. 14
94 Points
"It's great to see Wither Hills continuing to shine with this variety, especially from an uneven vintage. I have tasted this wine three times and it's showing good consistency, displaying lifted aromas of red/dark cherry, game, mushroom and beautifully integrated cedary oak. The palate is rounded and plush with velvety texture and supple tannins. The wine flows seamlessly through the palate showing lovely harmony and complexity. This is great drinking now, although not as dense and sturdy as their 2007, it should develop beautifully, as other vintages have done. "

Knappstein Shiraz, 2008

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:04:16 GMT

Illawarra Mercury, Kerry Skinner (Australia), 18 Aug 10
"Knappstein, now part of the wider Lion Nathan group, is among the top drawer Clare Valley wineries. The addition of a smidgin of malbec adds complexity and aromatics to this classic Clare shiraz. Layers of intense plum and cherry fruit flavours, a lick of spice, chocolate characters, nicely balanced oak and supple tannins. "

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:22:20 GMT

Australian Good Taste, Test (Australia), 18 Aug 10
Test
Test
"Test"

Knappstein Sparkling Shiraz, NV

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:17:36 GMT

Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, Tyson Stelzer (Australia), 01 Sep 10
"One of the most drinkable sparkling shirazes on the shelves, it's an attractively fruit-driven style with fine, firm tannins, so there's no need for a chill here. Drink it at red wine temperature and its classic Clare black fruits will put on quite a spectacle."

Stonier Reserve Chardonnay, 2007

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:47:25 GMT

Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, Nick Bulleid MW (Australia), 01 Sep 10
95 Points
"... pleased me greatly, as I found the fruit shone through more clearly above the oak than in some previous vintages. Certainly, the wine has outstanding fruit intensity, white peach to the fore, with the gun smoke and funky overtones sitting well with it. Forrestal agreed. “Harmony here,” he told us. “Fine, complex, intense and elegant. Grapefruit and savoury nutty elements. A seamless balance of fruit and oak.” The structure is tight and there’s excellent length. It’s close to its best now."

Knappstein Enterprise Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:27:43 GMT

WBM, Tyson Stelzer (Australia), 01 Jul 10
94 Points
"It carries lifted Frangipane perfume, exotic spice, nutmeg, savoury, cedary oak spice and layers of blackcurrant. Bound with controlled concentration, but calls for a decade for fruit and oak to fine their happy place. "

Wither Hills Pinot Noir, 2008

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:07:28 GMT

Japan Wine Challenge 2010 (Australia, Asia), 30 Jul 10
Gold Medal

Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz, 2005

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:31:01 GMT

Winewise, Lester Jesberg (Australia), 01 Jul 10
Recommended
"Shows some leathery development, with rich blackberry fruit. Balanced firm tannins frame a fresh long palate. "

Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Shiraz, 2008

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 17:45:15 GMT

Who Weekly, Michelle Reedy (Australia), 09 Aug 10
"From a McLaren Vale winery especially noted for its premium shiraz comes this easy-drinking blend, with plenty of dark fruits and berry flavours and a touch of spiciness... "

Knappstein 8:8:18 Riesling, 2009

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 17:30:09 GMT

Irish Mail on Sunday, Matthew Nugent (Europe, UK), 11 Jul 10
"The 8:8:18 on the label of this exceptional Riesling stands for the alcohol, acidity and the residual sugar respectively. The fruit was picked early resulting in excellent acidity. A brilliantly pure and fine wine, with nice lime juice and mineral flavours."

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling, 2009

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:44:26 GMT

The Irish Times, Joe Breen (Australia, UK), 17 Jul 10
"Another poised for an interesting evolution but showing really well right now. In this model vintage, its appley notes are that little bit more generous without sacrificing its steely mineral backbone."

Croser Late Disgorged, 1999

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:37:38 GMT

Australian & New Zealand Wine Industry Journal, Ed Carr and Sue Bastian (Australia), 01 Jun 10
"Sweet, aged caramel characters on the nose with buttered croissant, mushroom and butterscotch, Nutty, with some oyster character, bordering on being acidic. A rich palate, driven by red fruit flavours. Finished dry with good age and complexity. Scored well."

Croser, 2007

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:33:47 GMT

Australian & New Zealand Wine Industry Journal, Ed Carr and Sue Bastian (Australia), 01 Jun 10
"Savoury brioche with some boiled lolly-like character on the nose. Rich and fat with a cheesy influence. Honey, buttery, roast nut aromas with what was considered to be borderline volatility. A strong, broad palate with sweet and sour flavours of green strawberry and salty. old oak, somewhat lacking in elegance but enjoyed nonetheless."

Knappstein Ackland Vineyard Watervale Riesling, 2009

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 17:35:48 GMT

Newcastle Herald, John Lewis (Australia), 03 Jul 10
5 Stars
"What a beautiful pure, elegant wine this is! It is light gold with green tints and has citrus and honeysuckle aromas. Pristine lime flavour zings onto the front of the palate and mineral, green apple and quince paste and toast characters join in on the middle palate. Steely acid refreshes at the finish. "