Aphelion "Pir" Chenin Blanc 2023

Aphelion began in 2014 when Rob Mack and his wife Louise Rhodes returned to McLaren Vale to concentrate on hand crafted small batch winemaking. They work with a number of growers across the region who work the soils in environmentally sustainable ways.

WINNER OF 2018 ‘YOUNG GUN OF WINE’

"This is excellent. While I had yet to taste any chenin from Australia that I thought world class (sorry, Erin!), this may be it. Once picked too early on acidity, this is now dutifully ripe. A wine of textural mettle. Composed across a scale of varying weights, beginning with natural acidity, saline and maritime. Filling out with lees work, all lanolin, oatmeal and cheesecloth. And finishing with an oaky lattice, embellishing the experience as much as cushioning it. Thoroughly impressive. A fine chenin."  94 Points.  Ned Goodwin MV.  James Halliday Wine Companion 2023.

"Bright, light to medium yellow colour, with lemon curd and grapefruit pith aromas. The wine is bright and vibrant, intense and linear, with a persistent finish that is taut and refined, tense and driving, if not that complex as yet. A fruit-driven wine with baked apple and honey flavours that build on the back-palate. Good concentration and a long aftertaste. Impressive and promising."  Rating: 94 points.  Huon Hooke. The Real Review

"It’s a brave person that sends me a Chenin Blanc to review. Rob Mack aka Braveheart. 200 dozen produced from a vineyard in Blewitt Springs. White nectarine, apple, oatmeal and cinnamon, a distinct sea spray character too. It’s medium-bodied, nectarine and frangipani, juicy acidity and ginger biscuits, fine chalky texture, and while it’s seen some work in the winery, it retains freshness and verity. The finish is long and saline. The excellent vintage has produced a lively, yet complex wine of excellent drinking appeal. It has the interest of a good Chardonnay, though made from another grape. Oh dear oh dear, I actually like this. Help!"  Rating: 94 Points.  Gary Walsh.  The Wine Front