Little to say about this puzzle. I seemed to rattle through it reasonably quickly and didn't get a kick out of any of the solutions which is most unusual.
Definition parts of clues underlined where appropriate.
| Across | |
| 8 | Aristocracy look to get on (7) |
| PEERAGE - PEER(look) + AGE(to get on). | |
| 9 | Tennis shot Monsieur features in frame (5) |
| SMASH - SASH(window frame) with M(Monsieur) inside(features in). | |
| 10 | On hill, check flashlight (5) |
| TORCH - CH(check) on TOR(hill). | |
| 11 | First 50 admitted to the plant (7) |
| THISTLE - IST(first) + L(50) inside(admitted to) THE. | |
| 12 | South western diner's warm clothing (7) |
| SWEATER - SW(south western) + EATER(diner). | |
| 14 | Turn away from green area first (5) |
| AVERT - A before(first) VERT(green, heraldic term). | |
| 15 | Brought over drink fit for a king (5) |
| REGAL - LAGER reversed(brought over). | |
| 17 | Have great desire to put in range here? (7) |
| KITCHEN - ITCH(great desire) inside KEN (range of knowledge). I didn't know the right meaning of KEN and got this from guessing the cryptic definition. | |
| 19 | Opening, glasnost, riled section (7) |
| NOSTRIL - hidden | |
| 20 | Intend initially sharing resources (5) |
| MEANS - MEAN(intend) + S(first letter of sharing). | |
| 22 | Biblical woman not disheartened - it happens! (5) |
| EVENT - EVE(biblical woman) + N | |
| 23 | Chinese, perhaps, initially edging towards rear of ship (7) |
| EASTERN - E(initially edging) + A(towards, a- prefix. probably a staple in crossword land but the first time I've seen it) + STERN(rear of ship). | |
| Down | |
| 1 | Awkward situation - son found with drug (4) |
| SPOT - S(son) + POT(drug). | |
| 2 | Judgment last month about source of energy (6) |
| DECREE - DEC(last month) + RE(about) E(source, beginning, of energy). | |
| 3 | German composer's term of address for Welshman (4) |
| BACH - double definition. He was a German composer and it is a term of endearment used by Welsh speakers. | |
| 4 | Let her kestrel loose causing disorder? (6-7) |
| HELTER SKELTER - anagram of LET HER KESTREL indicated by loose. | |
| 5 | Partisan in conflict, he seeks higher position (8) |
| ASPIRANT - anagram of PARTISAN indicated by in conflict. | |
| 6 | Social group welcomes Liberal in Leeds, say? (6) |
| CASTLE - CASTE(social group) with L(liberal) inside(welcomes). Leeds Castle is a pretty awesome example in Kent. | |
| 7 | Hear tent shaking - to suggest rain? (8) |
| THREATEN - anagram of HEAR TENT indicated by shaking. | |
| 12 | Small item of office equipment for athlete (8) |
| SPRINTER - S(small) + PRINTER(item of office equipment). | |
| 13 | Indulge learner with time to get involved in gambling system (8) |
| TOLERATE - L(learner) + ERA(time) inside(to get involved in) TOTE(gambling system). | |
| 16 | Set importing outsize piano? It's true (6) |
| GOSPEL - GEL(set) with OS(outsize, questionable) P(piano). | |
| 18 | Guy looking over avenue (new), very pleasant place (6) |
| HEAVEN - HE(guy) + AVE(avenue) + N(new). | |
| 20 | One of nine? Think! (4) |
| MUSE - double definition. The nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne in Greek mythology and think. | |
| 21 | Posted perfume, you say? (4) |
| SENT - homophone (you say?) of scent(perfume). | |