The Lane Vineyard Block Series - Outstanding Adelaide Hills Producer

The Lane Vineyard Block Series - Outstanding Adelaide Hills Producer

Posted by Joe Perry on 6th Mar 2019

This week I had the pleasure to taste through 4 wines from the family owned 'The Lane' vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Full tasting notes beneath each wine. 

After a 10 year stint as the vigneron at Hardy's Wine Company, John Edwards and his wife Helen decided to purse a long awaited dream. They jumped at the opportunity to take on a vineyard on Ravenswood Lane, high up in the Adelaide Hills, and wasted no time in setting up a winery along with a cellar door and premium restaurant. 

Anyone familiar with the Adelaide Hills knows just how diverse the microclimates can be. At just over 400m above sea level, the vines at The Lane vineyard see a range of weather distinctions throughout the year. Generally considered cool climate, the whites are planted on a south facing slope to get the cool breeze at night, and reds to face the north for extended ripeness during the hot months. 

This careful vine placement along with the a distinct altitude and rich, gravel soils broken down for the Mount Lofty ranges over hundreds of years give the wines of The Lane vineyard an exceptional sense of place, and complex take on the varieties planted. 

Today, sons Marty and Ben have joined Helen and John at the vineyard and winery, as to continue the family tradition as it's passed down to them. They both have an equal passion for crafting exceptional wines that express The Lane vineyard so well.

To welcome the 4 wines into the shop, this week we are launching a special offer of 2 free Spiegelau Festival Chianti wine glasses with any mixed 6 purchased including the 10% 6 pack discount. They won't last long!

Members mixed 6 price - $21.83

From a south facing gravel/limestone site. Light straw in colour with a vibrant, lime tinge. The fruit shines on the nose with apricot, mandarin, green apple, and steely minerality. The aroma is rich, yet not offensive with multiple levels of complexity showing straight away. On the palate the acid is noticeable almost immediately bringing with it those lovely ripe green fruit notes of apples and pears. Hints of young nectarine and fresh green tea show as well, backed by the crushed rock minerality and the slightest hint of creaminess to finish. Delicious aperitif style Chardonnay. 

Members mixed 6 price - $21.83

From a north facing site, containing more ironstone than others. Colour is clear rose gold, with a light amber hue. On the nose there's distinct white peach, honeydew melon, white strawberry, and a touch of pink grapefruit rind. The acidity is balanced, allowing the fruit characteristics to take the front seat in a playful way. The palate was a deceivingly rich mouthfeel as the nose is light and floral. It brings a way of creamy tangerine, peach, and pineapple whilst the moderate acidity provides a delicious freshness to the wine. French in style with a characteristic Aussie touch.


Members mixed 6 price - $36.41

From a north facing site on ironstone over deep red clay subsoil. Colour is a deep crimson leading to a rich amber rim. The nose is balanced with rich, earthy notes, woodsmoke and savoury spices. Along with it is bold, dark cherries, rhubarb, and forest floor. Upfront on the palate there are notes of aniseed, black pepper, and open wood fire. After comes the full bodied fruit with burnt, bitter orange, brooding blackberries, dark cherry, and damson plum. The acidity on the palate is bold and carries the mouthfeel to a long, luscious finish. The tannins are also very well integrated. Great drop, take your time, this is one for the purists. 


Members mixed 6 price - $24.26

From a north facing site on ironstone over deep red clay subsoil. Dark ruby in colour leading to vibrant magenta on the rim. A very spice driven nose, full of herbaceous green herbs and ripe berry notes, think blackberry, wild raspberry, and cranberries. Hints of oak show through ever so slightly also. The palate is juicy, and fruit driven. A warm, luscious mouthfeel of stewed dark fruits, white pepper, and bright red berries. The tannins are subtle which gives that easy drinking juicy feel and acid is moderate to provide a medium finish. My kind of jammy, easy drinking Sunday afternoon wine, let's all drink some more Merlot.