This is a contrarian approach to chardonnay, distinctively forward and fruity, reminiscent of older school Australiana. Attractively so, at least for those seeking respite from the linear, mineral pungency of more contemporary expressions. Mid-weighted. A blast of creamed cashew, nougatine, white peach and dried hay, melds with vanillin oak. Salacious, in the best way. Drink or hold.
June, 2023
Plum, cherry, new leather, choc-hazelnut, tobacco and black olive, a honey/miny/floral top note. It’s medium-bodied, savoury, some tobacco and savoury stuff, a liquorice and nougat flavour, silty and grainy tannin, quite some flesh on its bones, baked raspberry, plenty of chew and succulence with a grainy and saline finish of excellent length. Really like this.
November, 2023
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Red and black fruits, cedar, some dried flowers and mint, blonde tobacco. It’s medium-bodied with an understated claret-like charm, and don’t mind me, but there’s a distinct flavour of honey glazed ham in the mix, along with tobacco and dried herbs. The tannin offers a light grainy grip, and the finish is all red fruit and olives in brine. Nice.
November, 2023
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This intensely aromatic and bold 2022 Margaret River Chardonnay delivers powerful almond, nectarine peach skin fruit with a rich spicy French oak backbone. An impressive package follows with zesty acidity, rich compact fruit and taut oak providing immediate impact before more floral and citrus tones begin to emerge. Young and tight, it demands significant cellaring to hit its peak.
December, 2023
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The cool and challenging vintage is on show in this 2021 Merlot. It delivers subtle and pretty aromas of graphite, gravel and just ripened blackcurrant topped by a generous serve of herbs and cedar. Lightly framed and acid driven, fleshy cassis flavours are then backed by heavyset, firm edged tannins edging out the fruit. Give this some time to build more texture and weight.
December, 2023
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There is much to enjoy in this 2021 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon which shows the elegance of the vintage. It opens with layers of graphite and pure cassis which are well backed by finely balanced French oak. Mid weight and vibrant with tannins already showing good integration behind a streamlined and complex set of blackberry and cedary flavours. A lighter vintage although with the balance to improve over the medium term.
December, 2023
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This gently fragrant 2021 Pinot Noir offers up fleshy aromas of raspberry compote, tobacco and spice, nicely framed by French oak. Dry, and mid weight, layers of red licorice and raspberry flavours rise up on a supple palate with commendable length. Very approachable to enjoy now and over the medium term.
December, 2023
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Immediately engaging thanks to excellent upfront volume of hay and honeydew melon with touches of lanolin which offer an impressive start. It then delivers a nicely textured and weighty expression with finer acidity than usual, but impresses with sheer power and youthful energy. An excellent vintage for this Margaret River classic.
December, 2023
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A savory, mid-weighted expression from a cooler year, making for effortless early to mid-term drinking. Better tended parcels of cabernet performed well. And it shows. Pointed aromas of redcurrant, dried sage, graphite and judicious oak. Classy and fragrant, this makes for delicious drinking. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
December, 2023
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Mid-weighted merlot, reflective of a cooler vintage. Riffs on dried tobacco, mint and other strewn garden herb shuffling amidst juicy red cherry notes, while segueing to an astringent, sappy finish. This feels almost delicate in a Moss Wood context, suggestive of something from the Loire. It should reward mid-term cellaring. Good drinking. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
December, 2023
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