Oliver’s Taranga Fiano 2021

One can argue whether or not the McLaren Vale or Barossa gets the nod for top Shiraz; debate fiercely whether Barossa Grenache outdoes its McLaren Vale counterpart; take to the barricades as to whether McLaren Vale Tempranillo is the goods, compared to that from the Barossa or anywhere else; but I would defy any local region to claim the Fiano crown ahead of McLaren Vale (if I had to name second place, Queensland’s Granite Belt). And this cracking example from Corrina and her team is ample evidence why. This is made with as little intervention as possible. Indigenous yeasts, and for the first time, a small amount was fermented in old French oak. It was also, for those following the story, the year where a ‘vigorous kangaroo buck fight took out two whole vines of Fiano!’.

Exotic aromas flood forth. Florals, ripe orange rind, beeswax, apple pie, stonefruits. Such an alluring nose. Move to the palate and there is delightfully juicy acidity, fine balance throughout and a seamlessness to it. This is a cracking example of Fiano from the Vale. It delivers now but I’d also love to see what it becomes with five to six years in the cellar.