Stephen Pannell is at the heart of domestic goings-on, with a pair of very different releases. First, we have the pace-setting single-site old bush-vine Grenache from the Smart and Old McDonald vineyards, and second – from Steve’s pride-and-joy Koomilya site – a couple of stonking 2018 red blends: Touriga Graciano Mataro and Cabernet Touriga.
The other key domestic release comes from Stefano Lubiana, whose single-plot Pinot Noir wines – Ruscello and La Roccia – are out now. These, too, are an essay in site definition and distinctiveness.
Elsewhere, a vintage roll for Onannon’s Chardonnay puts this talented trio in the headlines, while organic heroes Frankland Estate and TWR have been gaining plaudits worthy of more than a mention!
Germany dominates the news from overseas, with Theresa Breuer’s wines from the stellar ’19 vintage out now. These are joined by 2020s from the likes of Dönnhoff and Dr Loosen. Speaking of the latter, the second edition of the Loosen Barry Walhalla Riesling has been released, joining its 2018 Clare-grown sibling Wolta Wolta. These two wines caused a huge stir on debut last year, and the follow-ups are even better.
Last but not least, 2020 Beaujolais is already a thing with the first couple of wines landing from Maison Piron, while we also have much-needed reinforcements of Paul Blanck’s dry whites from 2019. As mentioned, ’19 was a huge hit in Germany, and a good dose of that magic dust blew over the border into neighbouring Alsace!
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