Intro
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Fiano wines to try
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Oliver's Taranga Vineyards
Anfore Fiano 2025
McLaren ValeFrom 2004-planted estate vines, with the most coiled parcel selected; 12 months in 300L terracotta amphorae; regular stirring and full mlf. The third release, and more aligned with the '24 than the ’23. The nose is very intense, with both fruit and herbal notes; nothing green, more aromatic, spicy. Something akin to Thai basil, with the heady aromatics infused with anise; also a mature mint note. Within dwells lime curd, preserved lemon, ripening mango, meadow flowers, grapefruit pith, makrut lime and stony mineral echoes. This is the most harmonious release for me, with intensity of flavour and matter allied with laser-like definition and energy. It’s a serious wine. -
Briar Ridge Vineyard
Limited Release Fiano 2025
Hunter ValleyHeady, layered and compelling, with glacé pear and grapefruit pith, plus exotic notes of feijoa and dried pineapple. Bursting with deliciousness, with impressive depth, texture and length. The phenolics give shape, while a gentle savoury sulphide edge lifts the sophistication. A little air and a chill bring the wine to life. -
Fearon
Fiano 2025
GeographeThe wine sees 12 hours' skin contact and then is pressed off to amphora for maturation. Wild fermented and bottled unfined and unfiltered. This has mettle and distinction. A textural feast in squeakiness and juicy feels. The fragrance is all about lime in mineral water, ginger and hazelnut. The palate delivers flavours of tonic water, ginger, green almond, nectarine and hazy green apple juice. It feels compelling, complex, layered and utterly delicious, with savouriness as a subtitle. A brilliant rendering of the variety. -
Oliver's Taranga Vineyards
Fiano 2026
McLaren ValeFrom five estate blocks, fermented 80% in steel, with 20% split between larger format oak and concrete eggs. Cool, native ferment, with 10% mlf. Vintage '26 is looking to be a fine white vintage. Expressive in its range of lemon pith, grapefruit, makrut lime and beachy scents, with hints of mint and holy basil. It has a mineral side, too, with a subtle ground-stone quality, a rock skipped over sun-kissed waves. OK, a bit much, but I’m going with it. The tension is finely tuned between acidity and pith, the feel seamless at this early juncture, the length sustained. -
Oliver's Taranga Vineyards
The Hunt for Mrs Oliver Sparkling Fiano 2023
Sparkling | McLaren ValeFrom 2010 estate plantings; three years on lees. This bottle is numbered 0000; however, I can assure you it does exist. Oh, it’s racy, wearing the good time on lees on the nose, with nuttiness, sourdough, lemon-crisp biscuit and pastry scents, yet the cool year gives this a taser-like charge. That’s no impediment. In fact, it’s quite energising. Apple and lemon sorbet, ozone and citrus pith accent the bakery notes. It’s true for any good sparkling, but drink this in a (good) wineglass and don’t have it super chilled. I think this will be interesting with more time in bottle, too. -
Santa & D'Sas
Valentino Fiano 2024
King ValleyAnother strong showing of fiano from the maker, bringing the grape's warm textural qualities and gentle savoury nuance to the fore. Captures floral honeysuckle and acacia notes with almond, lemon curd and white peach aromas. Fiano isn't shy and neither is Valentino, with its deep concentration of citrus stone-fruit flavour on the palate. Grilled nuts, almond meal and a touch of the exotic, with a lemongrass and preserved lemon bite to close. -
Dandelion Vineyards
Love Letter from McLaren Vale Fiano 2025
McLaren ValeYoung vines and a pristine methodology: free-run juice, with cool ferment and maturation in steel. Expertly handled, though, with a happy lack of overt yeast/ester tank character, which can detract from varietal integrity. Crunchy and bright, crisp apple, lemon, green pear, with some fruit weight in the mid, but the mandate here is joyful refreshment, and it certainly delivers that, closing out with charming vigour. -
First Ridge
Fiano 2025
MudgeeA buffet of fruit beginning with rockmelon, pineapple and golden apples. Some logans and coconut husk. Acidity soars, with an interplay of sherberty fruit and puckering apple sourness. It's a wild ride, and I would like to see it again with a bit more time in the bottle; those shrill notes should relax, and you’ll be left with greater ease to its shape.
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