Mr Riggs Sanjo Sangiovese 2021

This Adelaide Hills Sangiovese showcases the Australian interpretation of Italy's noble grape, emphasising bright fruit character over the earthier, more rustic profile typical of Chianti. The cooler climate of the Adelaide Hills allows the Sangiovese to retain vibrant acidity while developing concentrated dark cherry and redcurrant flavours. Mr Riggs' approach creates a more approachable, silky-textured wine that bridges the gap between Old World tradition and New World fruit expression.

The 2021 vintage in Adelaide Hills benefited from ideal growing conditions that produced concentrated, well-balanced fruit. This 'killer vintage' allowed Sangiovese to achieve optimal ripeness while maintaining the natural acidity that makes this variety so food-friendly. The combination of perfect weather and single vineyard sourcing resulted in grapes with intense flavour development, contributing to the wine's impressive 94-point Wine Orbit rating.

Sangiovese's natural high acidity and medium tannins make it incredibly versatile with food, particularly dishes with tomato-based sauces where the wine's acidity complements the fruit's natural tartness. The wine's cherry and redcurrant profile pairs beautifully with herb-crusted lamb, pork with fennel, or classic Italian dishes like osso buco. Even roasted Mediterranean vegetables work wonderfully, as the wine's fruit-forward style won't overpower lighter fare while still having enough structure for heartier meats.

Single vineyard sourcing allows Mr Riggs to capture the unique terroir characteristics of one specific Adelaide Hills site, resulting in greater complexity and authenticity of place. This focused approach means the winemaker can tailor their techniques to that particular vineyard's soil, aspect, and microclimate, creating a more cohesive and expressive wine. The consistency of fruit source also enables vintage-to-vintage comparison and the development of a distinctive house style that truly reflects the vineyard's personality.

The presence of allspice and black olive notes alongside blackberry suggests this Sangiovese has developed lovely secondary complexity beyond simple fruit flavours. These savoury elements indicate the wine has benefited from careful winemaking that allows the grape's natural herbal and spice characteristics to emerge. The black olive notes are particularly typical of well-made Sangiovese, adding an appealing Mediterranean character that enhances the wine's food-pairing versatility and suggests good ageing potential.