Levantine Hill in Focus: November 202
Wine reviews by Barry Weinman: 23rd November 2022
That Levantine Hill is so successful is no accident. Rumour has it that in excess of $100 million has been spent on setting up the vineyards, cellar door and winery and, under the watchful eye of Paul Bridgeman, the wines are living up to expectations and their reputation has been steadily growing on the east coast.
This is the first time the panel has had the opportunity to taste the Levantine Hill range and we were deeply impressed by the wines.
Whilst the single vineyard wines are intense, powerful and age-worthy, it was the Estate range that was most exciting for me. Coming from the superb 2018 vintage, the elegance and balance were a highlight in these wines, and, at $80 per bottle, they represent fair value given the quality on show.
Reviewed
Levantine Hill – Chardonnay – 2018. This smells expensive and somewhat Burgundian. Complex, textural and, more importantly, ripe. The superb fruit is supported by gentle worked characters (struck match, lees stirring). Excellent length and depth, with minerality adding to the complexity. Made from Mendoza clone fruit, 10 months in oak (20% new). 94pts – $80
Levantine Hill – Katherine’s Paddock – Chardonnay – 2018. A mixture of Mendoza and Bernard clones that underwent partial Malo. This is more subtle and delicate. Pristine fruit, but here everything has been pared back allowing the texture and mouthfeel to shine. Whilst ripe, this is delicate, refined and shy, with subtle power and minerality. Will be great over the next 5 years, but is a style that is unusual for Australia. 95pts – $120.
Levantine Hill – Pinot Noir – 2018. Very pale colour that has an almost copper tinge. Pretty, elegant and refined, with strawberry fruit, a silky texture and seamless palate transition. A veritable peacock’s tail of fruit fans out across the finish, and there is great length of flavours. Very, very good indeed. $95pts – $80.
Levantine Hill – Colleen’s Paddock – Pinot Noir – 2017. This is impressive, but not very approachable right now. The fruit is lithe and elegant, but there is great depth and intrinsic power to the fruit. Not silky, but intense and powerful. Age-worthy! 95pts – $200.
Levantine Hill – Syrah – 2018. Wow, wow, wow! This reminds me of Clonakilla. The berry fruit is oh-so-pretty, supported by supple spice notes. Very fine tannins support a palate that is long, elegant and supple, with a savoury tinge adding depth. An amazing wine. 96pts – $80.
Levantine Hill – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2018. The menthol tinged fruit has depth and power, but this is a different style to those produced in WA. Near seamless, very long and expansive, this is a big wine, even if it is cooler climate. Impressive, but really needs time. 93pts – $80.