Wild Ren Hilltops Sangiovese 2022

Wild Ren takes Hilltops Sangiovese and allows it to shine in all of its utterly delightful cherry-ness. It’s a refreshing approach to the grape. Sangiovese is too often treated like Shiraz and ends up just another dull and anonymous dry red. Distinctive cherry red hues, bright and eye-catching, are a drawcard. Aromas of cherry, red and black, with support from plum and baking spices capture the grape’s bright personality. Far from over-worked or showy, the winemaker allows the grape its head and gets to reveal added notes of anise, chocolate and typical Sangiovese earthiness. Structurally medium in weight and dense in fruit but at the same time it’s so lively and fresh. Cherry pip dry tannins bring an added Italian-style flourish. A mighty enjoyable drink.

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