The Islander Estate Vineyards Sangiovese, 2024, Kangaroo Island, Australia

About the wine

Tuscany might be thousands of miles away, but its most famous red grape has found a rather lovely second home on Kangaroo Island.

Behind the bottle is Jacques Lurton, a French winemaker with decades of international experience and a particular fondness for European grape varieties. Rather than making another big Australian red, Jacques takes inspiration from the fresh, savoury Sangiovese wines you'd find in a little Tuscan trattoria.

And there's a reason this grape works so well at the dinner table. Sangiovese is the backbone of Chianti, famous for its bright cherry fruit, savoury character and tannins that love a good meal. Jacques brings that same philosophy to Kangaroo Island, letting the grape's Italian roots take the lead.

The grapes are picked overnight to preserve freshness, gently crushed and fermented at cool temperatures. Then comes 15 months in seasoned French oak, adding a little roundness and complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Tasting notes

Expect juicy red cherries, ripe plums, dried herbs and a little anise, with hints of leather, dark chocolate and sweet vanilla. Medium-bodied, with a savoury finish and fine tannins.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This one practically calls for Italian food. Think a proper Margherita pizza, slow-cooked beef ragù, tomato-rich pasta, antipasti or aubergine Parmigiana. Those savoury notes and gentle tannins also make it a brilliant match for grilled lamb or mushroom dishes.

About the winemaker

In 2000 Jacques Lurton planted an 11 ha vineyard near Parndana in Kangaroo Island's heartland and christened the estate 'The Islander'. Close planting to restrict yields and increase concentration, fermentation in concrete tanks and old-fashioned basket pressing, plus quality fine-grained French oak, all combine to produce wines with great structure and longevity.