Co-owners Rasa Fabian and Richard Woods have been producing under the Shut The Gate label since 2013, and have this year wooed our Hot 100 Wines judges with their 2019 For Love Watervale Riesling.
From a pool of over 1200 entires the Hot 100 judges were drawn to the drop’s “vibrant and precise expression” and “notes of jasmine blossom and the allure of stone fruit”, likening it to “strolling through an orchard as day turns to dusk”.
Shut The Gate Wines’ winning 2019 For Love Watervale Riesling
Hot 100 Wines 2019/20 magazine
The
duo’s win follows a strong showing in the 2018/19 Hot 100 which saw their 2018
Fiano recognised in the Whites With Texture field. Notably, Fabian and
Woods’ win marks the first time a white wine has claimed the #1 position since
2011, when 919’s Pale Dry Apera topped the countdown in its fifth year.
Joining
Shut The Gate Wines in the Top 10 are Redheads Wines’ 2019 Rusty Roof Barbera
at #2, Yalumba & Hill Smith’s 2017 Estate Chardonnay at #3. Barossa Valley
winery Tomfoolery Wines staked out two places in the Top 10 with its 2018 High
Cotton Blurred Lines Pinot Syrah at #4 and 2018 Young Blood Grenache at #7.
Top 10: Hot 100 Wines 2019/20
1. Shut The Gate Wines
2019 For Love Watervale Riesling
Clare Valley
From the judges:
Vibrant and precise expression showing citrus on the nose, jasmine blossom and the allure of stone fruit guiding you back to explore further. Fleshy yet delicate white peach and nectarine bring length to the wine dancing along with lime-like acidity towards elements of wet stone. Like strolling through an orchard as day turns to dusk, this wine brings delight and a gentle smile, leaving you joyful and content.
2. Redheads Wines
2019 Rusty Roof Barbera
Adelaide Hills
From the judges:
Centered and decisive, a realm of blackcurrant and blueberry with elegant notes of rose perfume. Flavour moves to a texture that’s silky and gentle, the tannins shimmer in synergy with fresh, bright acidity carrying a melody of mulberry, redcurrant and spice. Delicious.
3. Yalumba & Hill Smith Family Vineyards
Heggies Vineyard 2017 Estate Chardonnay
Eden Valley
From the judges:
Classic and timeless showing granny smith apple, honeysuckle and lemon acidity. Audrey Hepburn in style with a seamless play between fruit presence and oak bringing vanilla bean, lightly toasted spice and crème brulee with savoury complexity. So relevant, so perfect.
4. Tomfoolery Wines
2018 High Cotton Blurred Lines Pinot Syrah
Adelaide Hills
From the judges:
Bright berry fruits of red cherry and raspberry weave together with delicate pepper, spice and clove. This wine shows a personality that’s both genuine and fun, it frolics along with notes of blood orange, violets and black fruits. Energetic and on point.
5. Murray Street Vineyards
2018 Black Label SGM
Barossa Valley
From the judges:
Pure and heightened notes of blackberry crumble and fresh berry compote balanced with fleeting smells of the botanic gardens in spring. Delicate use of lightly toasted oak brings hints of pencil shavings along with wonderfully balanced grippy tannins and sour cherry acidity. Open arms before a warm embrace.
6. East End Cellars
2018 Kanta Riesling
Adelaide Hills
From the judges:
Drinkable in spades, sit with it and you’ll be rewarded by notes of Meyer lemon and grapefruit tang with the lightest scent of freshly cut grass. There’s a delicious chalkiness to this wine’s texture that’s in keeping with its mouth-watering acidity. Contemporary and fresh.
7. Tomfoolery Wines
2018 Young Blood Grenache
Barossa Valley
From the judges:
Raspberry cordial, black cherry and perfectly ripened berries carry confidently throughout. This wine brings a juicy structure and red-jube confection notes made complex by red plum and spice. It’s a layered and dangerously slurpable wine showing a diverse landscape and elevation of flavours. Tick, tick, boom!
8. The Stoke Wines
2019 Pétillant Naturel
Kangaroo Island
From the judges:
Strawberry and watermelon can be seen with barebones reflecting just-ripe fruit. Captivated by the promise of adventure this wine takes you on a journey through a field of pomegranate trees collecting flavours along the way of tart citrus, lemon pith and yeasty nuances. Open in its offering. Enjoy.
9. Turon Wines
2018 Pinot Noir
Adelaide Hills
From the judges:
Beautiful energy showing poise and symmetry between red berries and savoury elements. The flavours intertwine delivering completeness with characters of strawberry, cherry and aromas reminiscent of leaf litter and earthiness. Robust fruit weight and gentle, velvety tannins guide the flavours towards the spice cupboard on the finish.
10. Seppeltsfield Wines
Rare Tawny
South Australia
From the judges:
Exquisitely bright and clean aromas of spiced fruit cake, roasted hazelnut and mandarin peel. This wine shows a juxtaposition between youth and age, lively yet wise in character. Dried fruits and spice allow you to sink into the moment while citrus acidity keeps the wine’s opulence in check. Balance is key here, a wonderful wine and devastatingly haunting when the glass is drained .
Read the full Hot 100 Wines 2019/20 list in our free, 126-page magazine out now
Related Article
In pictures:
Hot 100 Wines 2019/20 Launch
Behind the scenes
Hot 100 Wines:
Inside the 2019/2020 judging room
Walter is a writer and editor living on Kaurna Country.
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