Leconfield Coonawarra – 5 Red Star Rating

Outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity. Will have at least two wines rated at 95 points or above, and has held a 5-star rating for the previous three years (i.e. 4 years in total at 5 stars). Where the winery name itself is printed in red, it is a winery with a long track record of excellence, having held a 5-star rating continuously for 10 years – truly the best of the best. (Formerly a winery generally acknowledged to have had a long track record of excellence in the context of its region.)

95 Points (GOLD) – Leconfield Old Vines Coonawarra Riesling 2020

Vines were planted in 1974. Marmalade on buttered toast, spiced apples, salted citrus and a weighty, almost voluminous countenace about it. It doesn’t billow, like a Clare Valley riesling does, or race like a riesling from the Great Southern. Rather it has a stately, concentrated and measured presence of flavour in the mouth that lingers long after the wine has gone. Rich, engaging and sinewy through the finish. Very smart.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

95 Points (GOLD) – Leconfield The Sydney Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Matured initially in new Taransaud oak for 15 months, then transferred to 3yo Burgundian oak for its final sojourn of 7 months. The wine is then left in bottle for 2–3 yrs prior to release. The cool 2017 vintage has laid the foundation for a wine of detail and weight. It is layered with graphite tannins, cool mineral acid and dark berry fruits. This is a traditionally styled Australian cabernet with minty overtones and savoury, leathery spice. Lovely.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

94 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield Coonawarra Petit Verdot 2020

Petit verdot doesn’t need any encouragement. It flexes before anyone is even looking, with lavender, potpourri, black fruit and dark tannins. It is aromatic and brooding, and can be tasted in very tiny amounts in a blend (3–4% makes itself known). So to experience it solo is something else. This is lush, pure, glossy, even, with fine shapely tannins and a lingering tail. Really nice, really well handled.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

93 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield Coonawarra Reserve Shiraz 2020

This is very pretty. At its core this is pure; cassis, blackberry, blueberry and mulberries crouch in the very centre of the palate. Around the huddle swirls a gyre of fine, licorice tannin, florals and spice. This is sweet, and elegant, and savoury too; a wine of contrasts and strange harmony. Nicely done.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

93 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

This is concentrated and flavoursome, with cassis and blackberry the main chords. The oak is certainly present, and contributes a resinous, licorice character through the finish. It also shapes the tannins and the rest of the troupe, guiding it all to the finish. The core is pure cassis. Very good. This is very generous and approachable, now.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

93 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield Cabernets 2019

A field blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. On skins for 18 days, matured for 21 months in French oak. The fruit here is concentrated and ripe; the substantive oak has contributed not only to the spicy, earthy flavour but also to the tannins, which are omnipresent, firm and furry. Abundantly mouth-filling and robust, this has blackberries, aniseed, licorice and eucalyptus/bay leaf – it promises to satisfy long into the future.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

92 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020

Primarily matured in French oak (15% new) for 15 months; a portion in seasoned American oak. McLaren Vale has the propensity to deliver shiraz of concentration and plumpness – they can be hedonistic and luxurious. This gets us most of the way, with enough savoury structure to keep it serious.

Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

90 Points (SILVER) – Leconfield Coonawarra Noble Riesling 2021

Extraordinarily sweet, but with a real sumptuous apricot-square character through the finish. It is layered with honeysuckle, toffee apple, lemon curd character. All good things.

Erin Larkin Published 26 July 2022