(2024) A Chardonnay-based sparkling wine sourced from vineyards in Pemberton and Margaret River, Western Australia. A dosage of just 6g/l gives this a poised, precise character. Lemon dominates the nose, but not too sharply, a biscuity background softening the picture. Super fresh and nicely balanced, this plays out in very pleasing fashion on the palate, ripe orchard fruit and citrus pure into the finish.
(2024) This moderately oaked wine comes from a number of sites in Mount Barker, notably Block 9, which was planted in 1985.There's a definite peppery, rhubarb and earthy cool-climate here, the fruit deep, plummy and chocolate-tinged. The oak gives a balsamic quality in the mouth, with sweet and ripe black fruit given a bit of bite by zippy plum skin grip and acidity and a grainy, welcome disruption from the spicy oak tannins. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2024) This has all the tapenade and black olive that I might have looked for here, a more red fruit touch to the still basically cassis character. Another delicious palate that caresses and coaxes its way towards a seamless finish. This is a subtle little beauty that emerges slowly and quietly. Fabulous yet again.
(2023) Another cross-state blend, this time fruit comes from Yarra Valley in Victoria and Margaret River in Western Australia. A tinge of gold to the colour here, but aromas are of restrained, cool fruit and a creamy rather than toasty oak, ripe pear and touches of tropical fruit, but all tempered and elegant. In the mouth it is a similar picture: perhaps a little more of the tropical, with notes of mango and pineapple, but again there is restraint and balance, the oak supporting rather than dominating. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2023) Unusually this is a blend of Coonawarra and Margaret River fruit, from South and Western Australia respectively. A big, bold cassis nose, touches of eucalyptus and sweet plummy depths. In the mouth the oak adds a mocha underpinning, but sweet and juicy black fruit drives this. Tannins dry the side of the mouth, the acidiy has a certain sparkiness that freshens the finish, in a lovely Cabernet for drinking now or laying down. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2023) The 2019 vintage in Frankland River was characterised by persistent cool and dry conditions and a low yielding crop for this blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Very bold and deep in colour, there's lift here, with floral and high kirsch-like notes, the minty/herby edge adding to the elevation. Delightful fruit, the tannins noticeably softer than some in this tasting, creamy with good acid balance making for a very pleasing drink. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2023) The 2019 vintage in Margaret River was similarly cool and dry. This shows a certain luminosity to the colour suggesting a lighter style, and indeed the nose has graphite and chalky freshness, a touch of olive adding an edge to the black fruit. In the mouth the ripeness is not in doubt, lots of fleshy black fruit sweet and succulent, the tannins dry but fine and the acidity does give this a freshening edge into the finish. No UK retail listing at time of review.
(2023) Also from Frankland River, this top Cabernet has an intense purple/black colour and a composed, serious nose, where dark chocolate notes melt into blackcurrant and just a hint of leafiness in a savoury style. Lovely texture, creamy black fruits flood the palate with a stripe of sour cherry acidity and plush tannins. Returning to the glass, floral notes have joined the picture, and the savoury, chewy palate suggests longevity - though could be very approachable now given a serious bit of protein on the dinner plate. Price and stockist quoted is for a previous vintage at time of review.
(2023) This is the entry level Chardonnay from one of Margaret River's star estates, and one of the founding wineries of the region. Winemaker Virginia Willcock loves a bit of flinty character and this is both wild fermented and with just 12.5% alcohol obviously picked early to emphasise that character and refreshing natural acidity. Seven months in French oak barriques (13% new) and batonnage give it richness too. Cashew and oatmeal on the nose, a touch of butter and lemon, and that wisp of fresh-struck flint. In the mouth it is medium bodied and elegant, with a sweet edge to the oranges and lemon fruit, plenty of acid bite and great clarity to the finish. Very good value on a £10.99 mixed six deal. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.
(2023) The aromas on this wine are classic, with both pure, deep cassis and a touch of lift with violet, green olive and briar to add a frisson of excitement. Eleven months in French oak have added a chocolate depth. The wine is plush and mouth-filling, delivering plenty of bangs per buck with sweet and solid fruit across the mid-palate and very soft and seductive tannins and spices bolstering the finish. An especially good buy at Majestic's mixed six/Scottish price of £12.99.
