Adelaide Hills, 18.5/20pts, GOLD
With 125 years of family winemaking history, the Knappsteins know what they are doing. In fact, since I have known Tim, for some thirty years of me tasting, listening, learning (and laughing), this pioneering family has been continuously finessing their craft. The Sabre has always been a reliable and rewarding Hills Pinot. We don’t see it in the UK these days, but I always drink it when I am Down Under. What impresses me most about this 2024 is that it appears to be a significant step forward in absolute quality. This is a stunning, deep-fruited Pinot with a direct and enveloping perfume, loaded with exoticism, spice and perfectly judged oak. Interestingly, it sports a lighter mid-palate than expected, which adds an air of levity and freshness to the intense fruit palette. This is a stunning wine, and it already looks like it is into its stride. It sells for $42AUD (or £20) in Australia, which makes it one of the finest value Pinots on Earth!