Sidewood

Written By Angus Hughson

Sidewood, Adelaide Hills

Sidewood Estate was established by entrepreneurs Owen and Casandra Inglis in 2004 and has become an important regional winery with ambitions to make a difference. It has enjoyed recognition in many wine show forums and has become a destination for wine lovers with a restaurant, cellar door and art collection. It is obviously a great place to visit, although I must admit that Sidewood had not been on my radar until now. As an author rather than a wine writer, I am conscious there are many gaps in my wine journey. But I was delighted to become acquainted with Sidewood’s high-quality and fascinating pinot noir and sparkling wines, because they are very good!  

Sidewood’s single clone, single vineyard pinot noir bottlings were particularly thought-provoking because of their individuality and overall voice of place. Although different from each other, they showed exceptional standards of fruit definition and elévage. With only modest alcohols of 12% in 2024, the viscosity and mid-palate volume gave both wines an unexpected richness and impact. 2023 Sidewood 777 Pinot Noir, however, is singularly impressive. While the colours of all the pinots are on the lighter side of medium crimson, the aromas, flavours and palate consistency highlights a meticulous and enlightened approach to winemaking.

The sparkling wine portfolio, comprising long-aging méthode traditionnelle styles, cannot be ignored. 2018 Sidewood Isabella Rosé, aged on yeast lees for 10 years is the most lovely and delicious sparkling wine. It seems to me that the Adelaide Hills can do as well as Tasmania when it comes to sparkling wines.

2017 Sidewood Cassandra Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionelle Late Disgorged, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Pale colour. Intense grapefruit, lemon curd, toasty aromas with yeasty, tonic water notes. Creamy textured and effervescent one the palate with pure grapefruit, hint ginger, toasty, marzipan, tonic water flavours, fine chalky textures and fresh indelible acidity. 100% Chardonnay and barrel fermented in French oak.  Delicious. Drink now – keep for a while. 12.5% alc 95 points

2017 Sidewood Chloe Cuvée Méthode Traditionelle, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium pale colour. Ripe apple, grapefruit aromas with toasty hint varnishy notes. Fresh apple, pear, grapefruit flavours with well-balanced grilled nut, hint yeast extract butterscotch notes, fine persistent bubbles, some mid-palate creamy complexity and well-integrated fresh acidity. Drinks well now.12% alc 65% Chardonnay 35% Pinot noir. 12.5% alc 92 points

2018 Sidewood Isabella Rose Méthode Traditionelle,  Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Salmon colour. Fresh strawberry, tonic water yeast aromas with hints of herbs. Generously concentrated with abundant strawberry red cherry marzipan toasted almond flavours, fine bittersweet textures and persistent creamy mouth filling bubbles. Really lovely complexity and mineral length. A hint of sweetness at the finish. 60% pinot noir 40% chardonnay. Beautifully pitched and ready to drink. Or keep for a while. 12% alc 96+ points

2014 Sidewood Isabella Rosé Méthode Traditionelle Late Disgorged, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium pale bronze. Fresh butterscotch, cream brûlée, grapefruit, lemon curd marzipan aromas. Complex and creamy with ample rich butterscotch, marzipan yeasty tonic water flavours, lacy textures and lovely fine creamy effervescence. A touch of sweetness at the finish. Pinot Noir Chardonnay. Ten years on yeast lees. Drink now – soon. 12% alc 95 points

2013 Sidewood Chloe Cuvée Méthode Traditionelle Late Disgorged, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium pale colour. Intense lemon curd, marzipan, yeasty aromas with hints of crème-brulée notes. Well concentrated and lively with attractive lemon curd, marzipan, roasted walnut flavours, some toffee- like notes, fine lacy textures, very good volume and persistent mineral acidity. Very complex and refined with lovely density and freshness. Ten years on yeast lees. Keep for a while but best to drink soon. 12.5% alc 96 points

2024 Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Pale colour. Classical white peach, apricot, pear aromas with underlying tonic water, hint vanilla notes. Linear fresh and creamy with ample white peach, apricot fruits, underlying marzipan notes, fine chalky textures, attractive mid palate richness and persistent crunchy acidity. Lovely purity and mineral length. Drink now – 2030 12.5% alc 93 points

2024 Sidewood Abel Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium crimson. Scented red cherry rose garden herb aromas with hints of chinotto. Well concentrated and supple with generous red cherry pastille, strawberry fruits, fine lacy tannins and well-integrated roasted almond notes. Campari-like notes at the finish. Seemingly shy at first but builds in the glass with surprising viscosity and vitality. A model of light and shade. Drink now – 2032 12% alc 95 points

2024 Sidewood Oberline Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium crimson. Cranberry, red cherry, cola aromas with hints of herbs and spice. Generous and textured palate with cranberry, red cherry pastille, cola fruits, some savoury / spicy complexity, fine loose knit touch al dente tannins and fresh long quartz-like acidity. Very good mid-palate volume and drive. Drink now – 2030 12% alc 93 points

2023 Sidewood 777 Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium crimson. Intense strawberry pastille, hint apricot/ chinotto aromas with underlying vanilla notes. Sapid and well concentrated with ample strawberry, chinotto, apricot flavours, persistent fine chalky textures, lovely mid-palate viscosity and well-balanced grilled nut/ hint roasted chestnut notes. Finishes chalky and long. Delicately poised and refined palate with a touch of star anise at the finish. Very good density and flow. Drink now -2032 13% alc 96 points

2023 Sidewood Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills – South Australia

Medium crimson. Ripe red cherry, strawberry, hint stone fruit aromas with cola/ herb notes. Round and supple with ample red berry, apricot fruits, some cola notes, fine lacy/ touch al dente textures, very good mid-palate volume/ density and fresh long mineral acidity. Finishes crunchy with seductive sweet fruit notes. Drink now – 2030 13% alc 95 points

Angus Hughson
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