Some regular readers have mentioned that they look forward to mentions of wines that don’t break the bank, so I was delighted when the people from Hill Smith Family Estates approached me about their Earthworks range, as the Shiraz in particular is a wine that I’ve always felt punched above its weight. The backstory is that HSFE is running a consumer prize promotion in the supermarkets (you can read the details in your local), but the added plus is that the promotional activity is likely to see the price come in below the quoted RRP which will make the wines truly affordable. The Shiraz and the Cabernet stood out for my palate, but really, they are well put-together wines for the price, across the board. NB: The riesling and rose are not yet in the country, but are expected. 2025 Earthworks South Australia Rose Price RRP $18 Rating Very Good to Excellent Appealing nose of strawberry dusted with icing sugar, fruit pastille, musk and stonefruit. Supple and rounded in the mouth, some creamy richness, picking up red apple and hard candy notes, while a touch of piquancy on the close adds to the brightness. Fresh, inviting, there’s fruit sweetness but it closes on the dry side of off- dry. Fleshes out nicely with air. www.hsfe.com/wine/earthworks-brand-01121 2025 Earthworks South Australia Riesling Price RRP $18 Rating Very Good The nose dials up the citrus notes, flitting between lime and lemon, melding with green apple and white flowers, a background of something hinting more tropical. Citrus drives the palate, a wisp of grapefruit skin perhaps, medium intensity and already drinking well. Unlike many Aussie rieslings, this isn’t bone dry, the acid crisply fresh rather than searing. A nice complement to seafood. www.hsfe.com/wine/earthworks-brand-01121 2024 Earthworks South Australia Tempranillo Price RRP $18 Rating Very Good A juicy nose of berryfruits, cherry and plum, backed by earthy qualities, coffee and oak spices. The palate opens to freshly squished berries, almost a little sweet ’n’ sour action going on before settling into a nice groove of plum and earth notes. Fine tannins add grip and structure, closing with spice and earth nuances on the chewy finish. www.hsfe.com/wine/earthworks-brand-01121 2023 Earthworks Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon Price RRP $18 Rating Very Good to Excellent Immediately appealing nose of blackcurrant, oak spices and hints of crushed leaf, a lifted top note of cranberry or redcurrant. Good palate weight, generosity of flavour evident, blackcurrant to the fore, perhaps blueberry also, with a touch of high cocoa dark chocolate adding a refreshing bittersweet aspect contrasting the fruit richness. Fine tannins, bright acidity, great length, rewarding. www.hsfe.com/wine/earthworks-brand-01121 2023 Earthworks Barossa Shiraz Price RRP $18 Rating Excellent Darker, more brooding nose, dark fruits, plum, baking spices, crushed herb, with air time a top note akin to earl grey tea leaf. Silky, rich palate, expressive with lovely richness and fruit interests yet not at all heavy. Mixed red and dark fruits entwined with spice notes, tannins subtly going about their work. This manages lovely depth while retaining freshness, begging another glass. www.hsfe.com/wine/earthworks-brand-01121
