{"id":407,"date":"2026-01-27T00:22:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/?page_id=407"},"modified":"2026-09-22T07:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T07:09:13","slug":"recent-independent-wine-reviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/recent-independent-wine-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Recent Independent Wine Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wine Enthusiast New York<\/a> \u2013 Christina Pickard<\/strong><\/p>\n

July 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BackVintage Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022<\/strong><\/a>
\nWine Enthusiast New York Score:<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>93<\/em>
\n<\/span>(which translated means .. “excellent, highly recommended wine of superior quality” )<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Coonawarra’s intoxicating mix of dark-berry fruit, pencil lead, dried herbs, tobacco and menthol are out in full force. It’s a powerful but shapely wine<\/span>, with well\u00ad-integrated tannins and a savoury streak amidst the juicy fruit. It lingers long, crying out for a steak or barbecue fare.”<\/p>\n

A score of 93 places the wine firmly in the “outstanding” tier.
\nIt means the professional taster found it to have great complexity, balance, and character..<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wine Enthusiast New York<\/a> \u2013 Christina Pickard<\/strong><\/p>\n

July 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BackVintage McLaren Vale Block 8 Shiraz 2021<\/strong><\/a>
\nWine Enthusiast New York Score:<\/strong><\/span> <\/em>92<\/em>
\n<\/span>(which translated means .. “excellent, highly recommended wine of superior quality” )<\/strong><\/p>\n

“At first quite broody and timid, this opens-with time in glass to aerate-to offer plum and currant fruit, with savory spice, sassafras, and tomato\u00ad leaf elements. There’s an unexpected vibrancy and freshness to the palate that makes the mouth water for another sip. Power arrives in the form of taut tan\u00adnins but they never overwhelm, only support.
\nA solid Shiraz, this should continue to evolve in bottle for another decade or more.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A score of 92 places the wine firmly in the “outstanding” tier.
\nIt means the professional taster found it to have great complexity, balance, and character..<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wine Enthusiast New York<\/a> \u2013 Christina Pickard<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BackVintage Padthaway Chardonnay 2024<\/strong><\/a>
\nWine Enthusiast New York Score:<\/strong><\/span> <\/em>92<\/em>
\n<\/span>(which translated means .. “excellent, highly recommended wine of superior quality” )<\/strong><\/p>\n

“There’s lovely complexity here: layers of aromas like white peach, cantaloupe rind and green tea with a salted nut underbelly. It’s sculpted by a line of bright lemony acidity that rushes down the middle of the tongue, with a toasty, nougat-y edge to the citrus and stone fruit flavours.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A score of 92 places the wine firmly in the “outstanding” tier.
\nIt means the professional taster found it to have great complexity, balance, and character..<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vino Masters<\/a> \u2013 Russ Gallagher, Kapunda, SA<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BackVintage Clare Valley Riesling 2025<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– Vino Masters Score:<\/strong> 94<\/span> Gold
\n<\/strong>Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pale straw with green hues. The palate is focused and precise, delivering lime, lemon and citrus pith with fine natural acidity. Clean, dry and tightly framed, finishing long and refreshing with regional clarity. Easy drinking!<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>Excellent: purity, precision and regional authority<\/p>\n

Drink now and cellar to 2030<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BackVintage Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2025<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– Vino Masters Score:<\/strong> 94<\/span> Gold
\n<\/strong>Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pale straw in the glass.<\/p>\n

The palate shows pear, apple and subtle citrus with a soft, rounded mouthfeel. Fresh acidity with fresh nashi pear flavours maintains the lift and clarity, finishing clean and dry.<\/p>\n

Straightforward, varietally correct and well balanced.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span> Very Good: freshness, drinkability<\/p>\n

Drink now<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BackVintage Padthaway Chardonnay 2024<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– Vino Masters Score:<\/strong> 95<\/span> Gold
\n<\/strong>Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pale straw with green highlights.<\/p>\n

The palate delivers white peach, nectarine and citrus with subtle creamy texture. Fresh acidity provides line and focus, while restrained oak influence adds weight without excess.<\/p>\n

Balanced, clean and well resolved through the finish. Amazing varietal flavour.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span> Excellent freshness, balance and varietal expression<\/p>\n

Drink now<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BackVintage McLaren Vale Grenache 2024<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– Vino Masters Score:<\/strong> 94<\/span> Gold
\n<\/strong>Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.<\/em><\/p>\n

Bright crimson-red. \u00a0The palate is vibrant and fruit-driven, showing red cherry, raspberry and gentle spice. Medium-bodied with soft, supple tannins and balanced acidity. Savoury undertones add interest, finishing fresh and approachable. \u00a0Made by Grenache legend, Mike Farmilo.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span> Outstanding purity of fruit<\/p>\n

Drink now<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BackVintage McLaren Vale Block 8 Shiraz 2021<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– Vino Masters Score:<\/strong> 95<\/span> Gold
\n<\/strong>Outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dark red with a ruby edge. \u00a0The palate delivers concentrated dark red berry and plum fruit with notes of chocolate, subtle mint and oak spice. \u00a0Full-bodied and firmly structured, with plentiful tannins providing drive through the mid-palate. \u00a0The oak gently melds into the core, supporting the texture and length. \u00a0The finish is long and composed, reflecting both site and vintage.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span> Excellent: flavour concentration, structural clarity and regional authority<\/p>\n

Drink now and cellar to 2028+<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

BackVintage Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022<\/strong><\/a>
\nVino Masters Score:<\/strong> 92<\/span> Silver
\n<\/strong>Excellent quality, showing a high level of concentration and balance.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dark red with a ruby edge. \u00a0The palate delivers concentrated dark berry fruit with notes of chocolate, subtle mint and oak spice. Medium-bodied and firmly structured, with plentiful, fine tannins providing drive through the mid-palate. \u00a0The oak is polished and shines in the mid palate supporting texture and length.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span> Excellent: flavour concentration, structural clarity and regional authority<\/p>\n

Drink now and cellar to 2028+<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wine Enthusiast New York \u2013 Christina Pickard July 2026. \u00a0BackVintage Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Wine Enthusiast New York Score: 93 (which translated means .. “excellent, highly recommended wine of superior quality” ) “Coonawarra’s intoxicating mix of dark-berry fruit, pencil lead, dried herbs, tobacco and menthol are out in full force. It’s a powerful but shapely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-407","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":481,"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions\/481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backvintage.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}