Reviews

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2012, and online at www.winecompanion.com.au

Star Rating:  

 James and Annabelle Tilbrook have almost 5 ha of multi-clone chardonnay and pinot noir, plus sauvignon blanc and pinot gris, at Lenswood. The winery and cellar door are in the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills building in Lobethal; this not only provides an atmospheric home, but also helps meet the very strict environmental requirements of the Adelaide Hills in dealing with winery waste water. English-born James came to Australia in 1986, aged 22, but a car accident led to his return to England. Working for Oddbins and passing the WSET diploma set his future course. He returned to Australia, met wife Annabelle, purchased the vineyard and began planting it in 1999. The winery was established in 2001.

Tilbrook Estate Lenswood Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay

Vintage: 2009

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 94

Drink By: 2015

Price: $35.00

Date Tasted: 26 Feb 2011

Hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, barrel-fermented, 40% new oak, stirred fortnightly, two-thirds mlf, bottled after 18 months; given the delicacy of the very cool-grown (south-facing steep slope) grapes, it is remarkable how the winemaking thumb prints are not more obvious. Should develop well over the next 4-5 years.

Tilbrook Estate Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc  

Vintage: 2010

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 93

Drink By: 2014

Price: $22.00

Date Tasted: 26 Feb 2011

Light straw-green; a potent, powerful and complex sauvignon blanc from three separate vineyards in several parts of the Adelaide Hills; the flavours straddle grass/capsicum through to tropical fruit salad.

Tilbrook Estate Reserve Adelaide Hills Syrah

Vintage: 2010

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 93

Drink By: 2024

Price: $35.00

Date Tasted: 5 Aug 2011

Full red-purple; a strong black shoe leather overtone to the dark berry fruits of the bouquet largely disappears into the wine on the medium- to full-bodied palate with its savoury black fruits and firm tannins, French oak coming through on the finish.

Tilbrook Estate Reserve Adelaide Hills Botrytis Pinot Gris

Vintage: 2010

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 92

Drink By: 2016

Price: $35.00

Date Tasted: 5 Aug 2011

Full glowing gold; a major surprise; has intensity and complexity, and the sweetness is balanced by acidity. The grapes must have been heavily botrytised for the wine to have 12.9% alcohol; 40 dozen made. 375 ml.

Tilbrook Estate Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris

Vintage: 2010

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 88

Drink By: 2012

Price: $22.00

Date Tasted: 5 Aug 2011

Stainless steel-fermented, then kept on lees for nine months prior to bottling; there are ripe pear and bruised apple aromas and flavours, and a hint of sweetness on the finish.

Tilbrook Estate Reserve Adelaide Hills sweet white

Vintage: 2009

James Halliday’s wine tasting note.

Rating: 92

Drink By: 2013

Price: $30.00

Date Tasted: 26 Feb 2011

Golden-bronze; picked the day before the rain started: simple dehydration. Quite clearly, the dehydration was extreme, because the wine is very luscious, yet well-balanced.