Oliver's Taranga Small Batch Fiano 2025

Is there anything more annoying than when some poor contestant on Masterchef serves a bowl of ice cream and gets dubbed the Dessert Queen for the next three months. Yes, there probably is, but this is up there. This particular random thought popped into my mind when I almost referred to Corrina Wright from Oliver’s as the Fiano Queen. Shall we just leave it as Fiano royalty. It is certainly fair to say that few people have done as much to promote this really excellent Italian white variety in this country as Corrina (embarrassingly, I’ve just seen the Oliver’s press blurb refer to her as the Queen of Fiano, so another battle lost). At this stage, Fiano is still what one might call small bikkies, with just over 100 hectares planted in Australia, but the figure that did surprise me is that only 10% of that is in McLaren Vale. The range from Olivier’s must surely be encouraging others to plant the grape there. This is their standard Fiano and it is an absolute cracker, not to mention excellent value. The colour is a bronzy straw. The wine is beautifully perfumed with spices, lime leaves, citrus, hazelnut and stone fruits. There is focus and energy, a seductive texture, good acidity and excellent length, all the while exhibiting underlying power. Enjoy this for at least the next eight years. Love it. Points: 93/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

This is the wine that helped start the stampede towards Fiano. It remains a solid benchmark, and no doubt will be celebrated on inaugural National Fiano Day on October 17, established by the maker and like-minded winemaking Fiano believers. I remember tasting the 2011 back in the day with its bitter almond notes and texture and being blown away with its individuality. It is still a feature of Fiano today. Stone fruits, nectarine, white peach, Asian pear aromas mingle with honeysuckle florals, almond and lemon curd. Textural, warm-hearted and cuddly with a gentle nuttiness, it brings additional savoury almond, lemongrass to taste together with bright lemon pastille. Fiano offers no angles, no attitude, it’s sunny and lively and seamless with tangy acidity puts on a star turn. And, boy, does it linger long. Points: 95/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

I can see why Fiano is on the rise — if this is anything to go by. Key lime pie, lemongrass and star fruit. It’s abundant, joyous and voluptuous. So much pure, heavy fruit — it makes itself comfy on the palate, lathering with thick nashi pear peel and almond skins. Simply delicious — and great value. Points: 94/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

Is there anything more annoying than when some poor contestant on Masterchef serves a bowl of ice cream and gets dubbed the Dessert Queen for the next three months. Yes, there probably is, but this is up there. This particular random thought popped into my mind when I almost referred to Corrina Wright from Oliver’s as the Fiano Queen. Shall we just leave it as Fiano royalty. It is certainly fair to say that few people have done as much to promote this really excellent Italian white variety in this country as Corrina (embarrassingly, I’ve just seen the Oliver’s press blurb refer to her as the Queen of Fiano, so another battle lost). At this stage, Fiano is still what one might call small bikkies, with just over 100 hectares planted in Australia, but the figure that did surprise me is that only 10% of that is in McLaren Vale. The range from Olivier’s must surely be encouraging others to plant the grape there. This is their standard Fiano and it is an absolute cracker, not to mention excellent value. The colour is a bronzy straw. The wine is beautifully perfumed with spices, lime leaves, citrus, hazelnut and stone fruits. There is focus and energy, a seductive texture, good acidity and excellent length, all the while exhibiting underlying power. Enjoy this for at least the next eight years. Love it. Points: 93/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

This is the wine that helped start the stampede towards Fiano. It remains a solid benchmark, and no doubt will be celebrated on inaugural National Fiano Day on October 17, established by the maker and like-minded winemaking Fiano believers. I remember tasting the 2011 back in the day with its bitter almond notes and texture and being blown away with its individuality. It is still a feature of Fiano today. Stone fruits, nectarine, white peach, Asian pear aromas mingle with honeysuckle florals, almond and lemon curd. Textural, warm-hearted and cuddly with a gentle nuttiness, it brings additional savoury almond, lemongrass to taste together with bright lemon pastille. Fiano offers no angles, no attitude, it’s sunny and lively and seamless with tangy acidity puts on a star turn. And, boy, does it linger long. Points: 95/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

I can see why Fiano is on the rise — if this is anything to go by. Key lime pie, lemongrass and star fruit. It’s abundant, joyous and voluptuous. So much pure, heavy fruit — it makes itself comfy on the palate, lathering with thick nashi pear peel and almond skins. Simply delicious — and great value. Points: 94/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 1st Nov 2025

Sourced from five estate blocks, from six to 21 years old. Pressed mainly to steel, with about 15% in concrete eggs and 10% in second and third passage French oak; high solids with natural yeasts, 25% mlf, and no additions until sulphur at bottling. It’s another excellent release, with the warm and dry year highlighting what a great variety this is for the Vale. Golden apples, preserved lemon, grapefruit pith, sea spray, tonic, a hint of lemon curd and oyster shells. There’s intensity of fruit here, with a textural roundness preceding a pithily racy drive, suspending the flavours long. Points: 95/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 11th Oct 2025

“Queen of Fiano” is now the moniker of vigneron Corrina Wright. Indeed, she is now fundamental in organising the 17th of October ‘National Fiano Day’. There’s this fiano, an Anfore fiano and two sparkling fianos including a late disgorged one. Go team! Light and refreshing with positive waxy texture. Brown pear, skin and all, a touch of mandarin, bright lime, green apple. Quite straightforward but that texture adds x-factor and the length and balance is all here. Easy and delicious drinking. Points: 92/100

The Wine Front ∙ 9th Sep 2025