Leconfield Riposte Best Wines Under $50

Typically Cab Franc is relegated to a bit part in Cabernet blends, featuring alongside one or more of the other ‘Cab Family’ varieties with Cabernet Sauvignon holding the mic. in a Nirvana like blend while some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and/or Petit Verdot draw straws for the drums, bass, bagpipes and triangle. That said, when Cab Franc branches out on its own it can be quite magnificent. We noticed on our recent trip to the home of the Cab family, Bordeaux that global warming has seen use of Cab Sauv start to fall away, with Cab Franc on the rise as it is able to retain varietal integrity as the world warms. The Leconfield is exceptional single vineyard Cab Franc from vines planted in 1982. Ageing occurs in French oak (90%) most of which is old. The wine is racked often to soften the tannins. The net result is kinda like a perfumed and expressive, yet gentler version of a top end Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn More

An exceptional, fragrant and concentrated Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon which was aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. Cassis and cinnamon on the nose leading to a palate rich with blackberries, plums, and violets. Finishes with super silky tannins. Lovely already and may live forever. Learn More

No made in every vintage and even then in tiny quantities. This blend sees early ripening Cab blended with Merlot and Cab Franc left to hand a little longer on the vine than normal. This enables the 3 varieties to be picked at the same time and co-fermented, resulting in the perfectly harmonious integration of flavours. Deep in colour; the nose is fresh, and bright, offering dark fruit aromas, cedar, cigar box and dark chocolate. It balances richness with elegance beautifully and finishes with perfectly modulated fine tannins. Learn More

A beautifully buttery and oaky Leconfield Chardonnay Chardy. Ripe tropical fruits, matchstick, stonefruits, creaminess and grilled nuts. Looking for a buttery Chard with a good hit of French oak, look no further! Learn More

The Leconfield Coonawarra Merlot is widely considered to be among the top handful produced in Australia. The 2020 vintage has an exceptional framework of acidity and fine tannin within which it is currently hoarding plenty of ripe plums, violet and tomato leaf. Allow the wine to breathe and they will be shared with you in abundance. Learn More

Another textural Rose from Leconfield with red fruits, florals, and melon. Winemaker Paul Gordon works 2 very different ferments here... one aromatic ferment... where juice was cold settled, racked with low solids and cold fermented using an aromatic yeast. The other portion was fermented with whole solids and natural yeast at a warmer temperature, then allowed to undergo malo-lactic fermentation to promote mouthfeel and length. The end result is stunning and complex. Learn More

Leconfield make consistently excellent Riesling from what are now 48 year old vines. This is a fine wine with talcum powder and citrus aromatics. The palate is textural, offering minerality and excellent length. A product of the 2021 vintage, this is both effortlessly elegant and powerful. Learn More

Typically fresh and zesty. this edition of the Dagger is brimful of with fresh red and forest fruits. A modern Pinot in style and unashamedly light to med bodied and made to enjoy young. That said, there's good fruit in this Pinot, which is of a genuinely high quality. Learn More

Winemaking legends Tim Knappstein and Nick Knappstein are responsible for this beautiful Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc from the exceptional '23 vintage. No expense was spared in the fruit quality, with high altitude vineyards (Piccadilly and Carey Gully) chosen, and only the cane pruned sections. Aromas of passionfruit and florals dominate the nose with the palate offering clarity, depth. texture, minerality and the zing of well-balanced acidity. Learn More

The best Sabre we have seen to date. This multi clone blend (MV6, 1154, 115, D4V2, D5V12, and 18GM) is aromatic, succulent and drying, with cherries and savoury notes. The wine is just mid weight and offers delightfully ethereal aromatics and appropriate fruit weight on the palate. 25% French oak sees some lovely charry notes sliding into fine tannins on the finish. Learn More

A truly excellent and complex Pinot Gris. Packed with fresh pears and green apple, struck match, salinity, spice and florals. The texture here is superb, the length excellent. Learn More