Awards and Accolades

95 Points - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
"Small batch open-fermented and 10 months in French oak (25% new). The bouquet sings of red and black cherry, allied with twists of raspberry and oak, the palate effortlessly carrying on with the refrain of the bouquet; has particularly good drive through to the finish and slightly savoury aftertaste."

2013 – Gold Medal: Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2015
2012 – Gold Medal & Trophy: Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2013
2012 – Gold & Trophy at the Winewise Small Vingeron Awards
2012 – Gold at the Boutique Winemakers Awards.

2010 Vintage: 'Outstanding' - Winewise Pinot Noir Championship
"Tim Knappstein’s Riposte pinots have consistently shown well in our tastings, and it was good to see that support continue when our guest panel members joined us. The Riposte narrowly reversed the decision of the Adelaide Hills Wine Show where the Shaw + Smith edged it out for the trophy. Its fragrance and opulent dark cherry palate won favour with the judges, as did the fine, firm tannins which provide balance and encourage cellaring. There are some ideal, cool pinot sites in the mosaic that is the Adelaide Hills, and perhaps a little too much media attention is focused on Victoria, particularly some small “cult” makers who are inconsistent at best. "

From the Winery

The grapes for The Sabre are from some of the oldest and best sited Pinot Noir vineyards in the high cool climate Lenswood and Piccadilly subregions of the Adelaide Hills. We work with our growers to produce moderate yields of fruit, well exposed to
sunlight to maximise colour and ripe flavours.

Made in small batches, all cold soaked and hand plunged in open fermenters. 100% malolactic fermentation aged in French oak barriques (25% new) for ten months prior to blending. Bottled in March 2013 after minimal filtration. Picking dates 26/2 to 18/3 2013

The grapes for The Sabre are from some of the oldest and best sited Pinot Noir vineyards in the high cool climate Lenswood and Piccadilly subregions of the Adelaide Hills. We work with our growers to produce moderate yields of fruit, well exposed to sunlight to maximise colour and ripe flavours.

2013 was a more generous growing season than 2012, with better fruit set giving average yields of round 7-8 tonnes per hectare. Berry size too was more even and warm weather during February meant that picking started early; on 26th February. Of interest is the spread of ripening between the newer (777, 114 & 115) and the older (MV6, D4V2, D5V12) pinot clones. The newer clones invariably ripening earlier. This reinforces our belief that these clones are better suited to the higher and cooler sites in the Adelaide Hills.

The dictionary definition of ‘Riposte’ (pronounced rip-posst) is comeback, reply, retort, or in the context of the sport of fencing a quick counter stroke. After over a decade of confusion about his name ‘Riposte’ was chosen as an appropriate name for a ‘comeback label’ by Tim Knappstein

‘The Sabre’; A fencing weapon with a flat blade, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries, mainly used by cavalry.