Greg Clack believes that each vineyard possesses its own inherent aptitude — a natural ability for growing grapes that express purity, precision, and a deep connection to place. Clack launches this new label, Aptitude to hero these site inspired wines.
2024 Aptitude Contact Theory Riesling/Cortese
$35 | 92 points
Why make a Riesling and Cortese blend you might ask, well because it spells out one hell of a good time in my opinion. Riesling brings the fresh faced white flowers and green apple spring orchard vibes with cortese followed in step with more yellow citrus and a tumble surf side with zinging acidity and sea shell salinity . A hint at some kernel and ginger blossom too thanks to some skin contact, more mid palate weight than you might expect and a nutty, churned butter and plum finish. Bone dry this screams for fried snapper with malt vinegar drizzle. A wine that captures the imagination but also provides texture and presence on a dining room table. Drink Now.
2025 Aptitude Fiano
$35 | 93 points
Fruit is from the Hill Smith vineyard in Woodside. Abundant in ripe pineapple, apple leaf and Meyer lemon skin. Some lemon verbena oil, lemongrass and Merkrut lime leaf too. There is such an aromatic edge to the wine, you’ll be smelling it all day. Moreish with bright acidity and cashew cream mid palate richness, the wine has a sense of creamed honey and yet some chewy phenolic pithy notes too. Fruity, savoury with steeped peach tea bitterness too. This could accompany almost anything from the sea, urchin on buttered pasta or meaty octopus. A very comprehensive fiano, with detail and unique shape. Drink Now.
2024 Aptitude Chardonnay
$48 | 94 points
Fruit is from the Bonoposto vineyard sitting at 490m in elevation in Kenton Valley. A golden hue with some green reflection in the glass, the wine speaks of pomelo, grapefruit and winter melon, some soft peach and honeycomb. A note of struck stone and candle wax droplets, acidity is all time and takes the wine’s intensity to new levels, mouth watering and thirst quenching. This shows the dynamics of the Adelaide Hill chardonnay fruit, in all its citrus and peach glory. Oak supports well playing second fiddle to fruit, toast and cold butter to finish. Some great value here, drink now with cheese and chutney toasties for those relaxing week day dinners, yep now that’s an idea. Drink now or cellar for 5-8 years further.
2025 Aptitude Gamay
$40 | 93 points
Fruit is sourced from the Hill Smith and Bluestone vineyards in Woodside. At an elevation between 410-450m. I have always admired Clack’s ability with Gamay, it feels as if he enjoys making and drinking it. This is no different with a rustic charm and real purity of cherry bomb fruit. Give it some air by a swift decant and sit back and enjoy the davidson plum, Bing cherry and blackcurrant. Some olive skin and caper leaf is met with granitic black soil and dark funghi. A slew of running acidity and cherry pit lingers. Soft sandy tannins and totally delectable. A very handy wine for those party starters, picnics and chilled red days. Equally a wine for dining and crystal glasses. Some oolong tea bitterness adds further layering. Drink now and try this with mushroom dumpling and black vinegar.
2025 Aptitude Sangiovese
$35 | 92 points
Fruit is from the Springvale vineyard in Macclesfield. Dense and potent this is a tightwire of small blackcurrant berries, taut blueberry skin and wild raspberries. Some budding tomato leaf, oregano and a hint of cherry liqueur. Red berries are heighted as the wine opens with air, and so too do you see more rouge on the palate. A smack of strawberries, black tea and cranberry juice. Haughty tannins and some warmth show the Mediterranean variety to its full effect. This can handle chilli and full spiced meats. Drink now and go for pepperoni or nduja on crostini.
2024 Aptitude Nebbiolo
$48 | 92 points
Fruit is from Longview in Macclesfield, grown on a northern aspect at 340 m in elevation. Rooibos tea, raspberry leaf and Hawthorn berries. Some persimmon and quince too. Togarashi and significant Li hing moi or salted spiced plum. Dried tobacco leaf and cumin spice. Tannins are powdery and coat the entire palate before some powerful torrents of acidity whip through. This is well structured and shows the elevation and coolness of the site. Drink with slow cooked pulled pork sliders. Drink now or cellar for another 3-5 years.
