Small Victories Sangiovese 2021

The Adelaide Hills is producing some of the best Sangiovese in the country and it’s fascinating to see the evolution of this variety in Australia. Fresh acidity, an elegant structure and savoury tannins you’ll find in spades with this smart little wine. It sees some larger format, older French oak adding some spine and balance. For me this is all above black olives on the palate, after a bright raspberry, cherry and liquorice kick on the nose. Finish is elegant, restrained but punchy with some serious crunch. Tannins are well integrated and refined, built nicely into the framework. The kind of wine that would disappear in a heartbeat with a mid-week roast pumpkin and chorizo pizza. The wine’s natural tannin and firm acidity means you’ll be equipped to handle spice and some heat!

Matt Dunne

Wine critic and journalist at Joval Wine

Matt Dunne is one of Sydney’s finest sommeliers and communicators who is also the Group Wine Ambassador for the Joval Wine Group. He has created and managed wine lists for over 30 venues including ARIA Sydney, Opera Bar and Chiswick. In 2011 Matt won the Sydney Morning Herald’s 2011 ‘Good Food Guide Louis Roederer Sommelier of the Year’ and his team won the 2015 Wine List of the Year in the Good Food Guide for ARIA Sydney plus he was a Len Evans Scholar. Matt has tremendous knowledge of wine, beer and spirits, and has written his own wine blog for over 8 years.

International wine knowledge and tasting expertise