TOP PICKS
There are some labels that just seem to exist, quietly putting out excellent wines with very little fuss. The media identifies these wineries and their wines with glowing reviews but for whatever reason, they don’t become the consumer’s ‘darling’. Those ‘darling’ wines that people just have to have, sometimes with little regard for quality or value.
One example that springs to mind, one of the ones often looked over, would be the K1 by Geoff Hardy wines from the Adelaide Hills. I’m guessing that many people reading this article have never heard of K1 wines.
 The Kuitpo vineyard (pronounced 'ky-po') is in the Adelaide Hills region but in the southern stretch, even further south then Clarendon. It’s actually about 10km due east of the McLaren Vale township, so it’s right on the edge of the McLaren Vale Geographical Indicator (GI). But the vineyards are around 300-350m above sea level compared to about 100m for the main part of McLaren Vale, so fruit typically ripens 2 to 3 weeks later than the Vale. The cellar door (pictured left) looks to be wirth a visit.
Geoff Hardy is the owner and viticulturist and yes he is related to that bloke Thomas Hardy (fifth generation). The vines were planted in 1987.
So to a couple of their wines. The Halliday reviews are glowing.
K1 by Geoff Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - $29.90 on special
“Strong crimson-purple; a strongly varietal wine on both bouquet and palate; intense blackcurrant fruit receives perfect oak and tannin support, in turn giving rise to excellent balance and length. Rating 94 Drink 2022” – James Halliday
“A striking deep-crimson colour, this wine from the Adelaide Hills shows intense floral, menthol and herbaceous aromas. The palate has supple texture, rich blackcurrant and herbaceous flavours, with toast and vanillin influences from 20 months maturation in French and American oak. The lean, fine tannins linger on in the long finish. This classic cool climate Cabernet is a complex polished wine that can be cellared for up to 10 years” – Winery notes
K1 by Geoff Hardy Shiraz 2006 - $29.90 on special
“Crimson; an intriguing mix of spice and chocolate overtones to the blackberry fruits, one foot in the Adelaide Hills, one in McLaren Vale; overall, has excellent mouthfeel and length, ripe tannins and oak supporting the fruit. Outstanding value. Rating 95 Drink 2021” – James Halliday
“The nose exhibits a bouquet of wild red berries, molasses and black pepper along with alluring allspice, cinnamon and cardamom. The French and American oak provide the soft tannins and lend spiciness and a hint of vanilla to this wines profile. The wine finishes fresh and lively with harmonious acid giving superb balance and the ability to age gracefully” – Winery notes
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004 - $52.50 – Voyager is one of the most consistent wineries in the Margaret River. They seem to make every variety in their portfolio well and nullify vintage variation better than most.
“Deep colour; a powerful bouquet and even more powerful palate, with layers of blackcurrant and cassis seamlessly interwoven with spicy/mocha oak, tannins strong but perfectly balanced; very good mouthfeel. Rating 96 Drink 2024” – James Halliday
"Powerful, ripe and handsomely crafted, this very assertive and firmly structured cabernet blend delivers a plush, concentrated and meaty expression of liqueur cherry, dark chocolate, blackberry and cedary flavour underpinned by polished, creamy oak and firm, but pliant tannin. From its heady, violet-like perfume to its lingering palate that builds towards a heady crescendo, it's very impactful and stylish. Aeration reveals more elegance and herbal undertones. 95 points, YTD 2016-2024+" - Jeremy Oliver
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2007 - $36.50 - This wine must have been released after the deadline to be included in Jeremy Oliver's 2010 Wine Annual. If it had been included, it would have been his equal 2nd highest score behind the Giaconda Chard 2006. Halliday loved it as well. Jump on this one.
"Stylish, elegant and focused, this rather tight, silky and finely controlled chardonnay has as delicate floral perfume of grapefruit, melon and citrusy fruit, lightly toasty oak, grilled nuts and creamy, leesy undertones backed by cloves and cinnamon. Long and savoury, its pristine, crystalline fruit is tightly underpinned by a fine chalkiness, finishing long and restrained, with a pure core of flavour, complex bakery notes and a mineral aspect wrapped up a taut and finely balanced acidity. 96 points, YTD 2012-2015+" - Jeremy Oliver
“In the top tier of Margaret River chardonnay (and hence Australia's) with stone fruit, melon and grapefruit flavours having soaked up barrel ferment in French oak (40% new) and 12 months' maturation, leaving just a trace of nuttiness. Rating 96 Drink 2016” – James Halliday
d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2006 - $58.50 – This wine (like the Dalwhinnie Shiraz last week) gets all the right praise for a guaranteed cellaring special. It’s rarely I’ve found five critics all giving it the same high score with Jeremy Oliver, James Halliday, both The Wine Front boys and Jay Miller from The Wine Advocate all giving it 95 points. Cellaring recommendations from these critics vary but a good average would suggest cellaring until at least 2025!
"The Dead Arm rarely fails to deliver an uncompromising essay on McLaren fruit; deeply concentrated with levels of dark chocolate, blackberry, nuances of florals and a freshness that belies its weight and power. Good value. Rating 95 Drink 2030" - James Halliday
"It is opaque purple/black with an expansive perfume of toast, smoke, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, opulent, and super-concentrated, this structured, lengthy wine will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and drink well through 2025." - Robert Parker Jnr. The Wine Advocate 2008
Gold Medal 2008 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
"Goodness me this is ferrous and dryly tannic with an appetising mix of blackberry, blueberry, beef stock, pepper, liquorice and toasty oak. There’s a dried herb/chicory sort of thing going on too which is most pleasant. Tight and bright acidity drives the wine along and given a good decant it softens up and begins to show real class and potential. It’s energetic, has a great deal of presence in the mouth and feels lightish - in a Dead Arm context at least. I think it needs extended cellaring to reveal its best qualities. I like this vintage a great deal. Drink: 2014-2020+ 95 points" - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front "I reckon it’s thick with flavour but it’s smooth and even and, in its style, delicious. I like the call on ‘chicory’ - with a spot of coffee attached. Thick, luscious, smooth-skinned blackberry and blueberry with creamy, cedary, toasty oak coming hand-in-glove. Even, structured, silken finish - it’s as good as any Dead Arm Shiraz that I’ve tasted. 95 points" - Campbell Mattison, The Wine Front
| 