Kilikanoon Skilly Valley Clare Valley Pinot Gris 2025

Pour a glass and note the lightest of blushes here, a goldy-pink hue. Aromas awaken in baked apple, acacia, pear, hints of hay and a light spice – strong varietal indicators. A composed, lovely intensity ensues. Skilly Valley lies on the western ridge of the Sevenhill sub-region, is high in elevation and protected between two ridge lines which generally translates into later ripening, a key factor in the ’25 vintage which was generally early across the region. The result is an enlivening Gris style combining a creamy texture folded in layers of pear, spiced apple, citrus, gentle florals, baking spices. Good concentration meets a lively acidity and the result is excellent length with additional earthy and apple notes to close. Doesn’t trade on sugar, doesn’t need to with some quality fruit at its core.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic