The Longbottom family launched their iconic Henry’s Drive wines from a vineyard in Padthaway back in 1998. But over time their customer’s tastes changed and the family reached further afield into McLaren Vale to craft bigger styles. But with daughter Margo Longbottom on board and the family now based in the Adelaide Hills, the time has again come for evolution, this time toward more modern, elegant styles, and the H Range was born.

At its core, the H Range delivers restrained and food friendly wines. These are not wines that are packed full of fruit but are marked by their subtlety with all showing great detail thanks to some smart winemaking. At $28 a pop, they offer plenty of value.

H Adelaide Hills Syrah 2019
92 Points

Here we have a wine that is part shiraz and part syrah, thanks to the warm vintage. On the one hand are generous fruit pastille aromas – boysenberry and cherry – which are then combined with the more subtle dusting of white pepper, clove and violets. It’s then mid weight and juicy too – dark fleshy fruits are supported by firms tannins that help to draw out some decent length. It’s a tasty early drinking style with vibrant fruit that could easily stand up to pink lamb chops.

H Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2019
94 Points

This is an interesting wine and the fruit needs a little coaxing before it comes out to play. But when it does it flowers into a beautifully balanced and elegant style of sauvignon blanc. It starts very shy and reserved – sauvignon blanc inspired guava, citrus and nettles are topped by some subtle honeydew melon with oak spice. It’s then quite textural in the mouth thanks to oak maturation with fruit and oak remaining understated but complex. Balance is great and the length deceivingly long with the whole package showcasing the more subtle side to savvy.

H Adelaide Hills Sangiovese Rosé 2020
93 Points

Sangiovese and rosé in the right hands can be a match made in heaven and this wine is a triumph with a bit of oak adding that extra level of texture and detail that lifts it well past most other examples.

Pale onion skin in colour, it is quite a big rosé style – no retiring violets here. Powerful Maraschino cherry and green herb aromas that are bright and pure are followed by an acid-driven style that cuts through fatty food like a knife. There is lovely weight and generosity with oak adding a savoury edge to the finish which is long and sinewy thanks to a gentle tannin bite. Delicious on its own but this also has the weight and power to match a wide range of spicy dishes, from Ethiopian chicken through to salt and pepper squid.

H Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2019
90 Points

If you are looking for a chardonnay with elegant fruit then step right up with this wine definitely on the subtle style for the Adelaide Hills. It is all about the tropical fruits with nectarine and peachy aromas plus the barest hint of spicy oak – blink and you will miss it. It’s then dry, mid weight and a little creamy on the texture side with some nice cashew nut complexity. It’s a drink now style best enjoyed with a light chill and a fisherman’s basket.

Buy the Vintage Longbottom wines here.