Lansdowne Wines
Adelaide Hills, SA
by Tass and Eliza
Lansdowne Wine is a beautiful family-run vineyard and winery nestled in Adelaide hills. Tending to the vines since 2002, the family continue to improve sustainable practices and work with new varieties to better understand their terroir.
With the horror vintage of 2020, Tass and Eliza took new approaches to their winemaking. Minimising skin contact and in some cases working with a little fruit from other regions less affected to avoid the risk of smoke taint.
The result was some jubilant wine, quaffable, sprightly still full of character and complexity, in particular the New Pinot with a healthy dose of Kuitpo Gewurztraminer. Last year was also their first foray into Pet Nat, nailing the style immediately with the Sauv/Gewurz blend and this year is no different, adding a very limited second to the range using their Pinot expertise they’ve shown consistency and balance in the ancestral style.
2021 Super Plonk Pet Nat (Sauvignon Blanc/Gewurztraminer)
Hand-picked, crushed, pressed and wild fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of skin contact Gewürztraminer. Unfined, unfiltered, undisgorged. It’s tropical, tart, crisp and crunchy with a super refreshing fizz.
2021 Super PNCH Pet Nat (Pinot Noir/Chardonnay)
Hand-picked Pinot Noir (85%), went through a partial carbonic ferment as whole bunches, before bottle ferment with a dash of skin contact Chardonnay (15%). Unfined, unfiltered, undisgorged. Wonderful juicy red fruits of Pinot Noir meet a touch of rich, elegant chardonnay.
2021 New Pinot (Pinot Noir/Gewurztraminer)
Hand-picked estate Pinot Noir (55%) and Kuitpo Gewürztraminer (45%). Co-fermented as whole bunches. Pressed to barrel after 6 days to complete malo. Raspberry jube, lychee and rose petals on a bed of herbs. Great complexity, finishing savoury and dry. The perfect all day-aperitif ensued, especially with a chill.