Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Mark Kozned’s family were grapegrowers in the Caucasus before they emigrated after World War II. In 1999, they planted their first vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, eventually buying the old Nepenthe winery in partnership with Peter Leske (who has his winemaking hand in all the Thistledown recommendations here as well). Their 2013 is a bright, evocative shiraz emphasizing the relative cool of the Adelaide Hills, rather than the usual weight of fruit grown in South Australia’s warm, arid climate. It’s fresh and fragrant, with zesty fruit-skin clarity, the flavors tight and lasting. More impressive than delicious for now (though it would be great with braised short ribs), this needs cellar time to fully open and show its best.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Adelaide refers to the diverse super zone in South Australia containing the Mount Lofty Ranges Zone (Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Plains and Clare Valley), Fleurieu Zone (Currency Creek, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, and Southern Fleurieu) and Barossa Zone (Barossa Valley and Eden Valley).
The Adelaide Hills region is distinguished and beautiful, offering a cool respite in the summer for Adelaide city dwellers. With vineyards planted fairly high in elevation at 1,500 to 1,800 feet, it is known for particularly fine, citrus-driven Sauvignon Blanc.
The Adelaide Plains is a hot region northwest of the Adelaide Hills that produces approachable, value-driven wines.