Latest reviews

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

A delightful medium bodied and elegant expression of these three Bordeaux varieties. Juicy red fruit characters emerge with the cedary oak and subtle graphite characters applying a keen edge and definition. The highly scented aromas lead into a palate that retains its firm structure while delivering the plump fruit.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This is another take on chenin, confirming its versatility for different expressions and styles. In this case it's been pressed to oak puncheons where it spent eight months. The ‘22 vintage delivered powerful and richly flavoured fruit, so the oak has been easily taken up. Lots of stone fruit with a faint lemon rind lift. It's a wine that is...

Margaret River

Tempranillo

One of the best temps made in WA. A number of different clones go into this and the result with and-picking, open fermentation and older large format oak is a tempranillo approximating those from Spain. It's plush with plump red fruits dusted by a savoury earthiness. The high acid on the finish is ideal when pairing with food.

Margaret River

Shiraz

The refinement and elegance of contemporary Frankland River is evident in this marvellous example of the vintage. Bursting with a plummy, mulberry and slightly spicy ironstone lift on the nose. The silky smooth palate with its thread of gravelly tannins is just beautiful A generous and punchy wine striking a perfect oak and tannin balance with the sumptuous fruit.

Margaret River

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

This turned out to be a very good year for these aromatic varieties and here is the quintessential expression of this famous blend. Lifted lemon and melon with a splash of passionfruit and a slice of pear on the nose. The palate is crunchy and lively with a zingy acidity sustaining the long finish. Right on the money for this...

Margaret River

Shiraz

The cooler ‘21 vintage has produced a raft of excellent wines from Frankland River. Gordon treats this with open fermentation after hand-picking to coax the best from this excellent source of fruit. Strikes a beautiful balance between the primary plummy, mulberry fruit characters and a more earthy rustic nuance that balances delightfully. The velvety tannins contribute to the smooth elegance...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This is one of the very best chardonnays from Amelia Park. There is a deep intensity here that is perfectly harnessed with wild fermentation, whole bunch pressing and maturation in puncheons. Love the white beach, light nectarine and edgy nougat with a trace of lemon rind. Such exquisite balance and poise. Yes, this is a beauty.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

Captures the elegance and stylishness of this vintage in Margaret River. Such a bright hi-tone wine with a perfumed nose of blackcurrant laced with red fruits and a little graphite minerality. The palate presents a refined combination of effortlessly fine fruit supported with chalky tannins and fine-grained oak. Still quite tight and has great cellaring potential.

Margaret River

Malbec

Bright high energy malbec from Margaret River. I have found this cooler vintage has been ideal for malbec, allowing the perfumed aromatics to emerge while creating such refined and elegant palate structures. Lots of bright red fruit with a sweet middle palate that is offering such wonderfully appealing drinking. I like to drink this style of wine while it is...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

This has been a winner for Amelia Park, and I have to say this one is as good as any released to date. The warm vintage suited the ripe generous style. The addition of the aromatic cab franc with a little malbec has lifted the nose and created beautifully exotic perfumes. This takes the cab merlot blend into another zone....

Great Southern

Shiraz

This was quite a cool season in Frankland River, but it also produced some very good wines, such as this shiraz. Sweet dark chocolate over dark plum with a peppery dried herb influence emerges immediately on the nose. Then the smooth velvety palate kicks in with its plush fruit and well-integrated tannin and oak. It's an elegant wine of great...

Great Southern

Shiraz

Shiraz has always been a strong suit at Alkoomi, and this is an example of a more medium bodied elegant style. The aromas are a mix of spices and black pepper over slightly meaty dark plum and chocolate. The palate is so silky smooth and seamlessly integrated. The fine chalky tannins and just a faint hint of ironstone provide complexity...

Great Southern

Riesling

Consistently one of the best rieslings in the State. This is one of the finest and most delicate. Fine spicy lemon and lime contributes to a palate of tension and direction. There is such a delightful pristine purity with a fine minerally thread extending through to the finish. Zippy acid to finish.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

I do like this chardonnay with its many attractive features. Aromas of lemon and spice with little vanilla pod and brioche. Into the light-bodied palate the layers of nectarine and gentle white peach create a lovely combination. A twist of lemon on the finish and there you have it.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

A refined and elegant medium bodied cabernet from Frankland. Blackcurrant and leafy blackberry notes on the nose. The palate shows good varietal integrity with a mix of ironstone and red fruits with a balanced chalky firm tannin influence. The oak has been well-handled so as not to dominate in this lighter year.

Great Southern

Cabernet Sauvignon

This is largely cabernet sauvignon with smaller contributions from malbec and cabernet franc. It's a smooth and generous wine displaying an engaging combination of black and red fruits on the nose with a little dark chocolate complexity. The palate fills with red and black fruits supported by fine sinewy tannins and neat oak. It's a well-structured and poised wine that...

Margaret River

Shiraz

A beautifully soft and supple shiraz displaying all the virtues of this variety. Aromas of plum laced with dark chocolate and roasted coffee bean. The palate comes together beautifully with the integration of fine-grained oak and silky fine tannins. A little blue fruit character edges in on the nose before moving into the palate.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

There's a little happening in this classy chardonnay. On the nose the combination of toasty butterscotch and quince with a little roasted almond shows the way in. Then the palate delivers with a rich foundation of light stone fruit and a little struck match edginess. A neat chardonnay.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

A medium-bodied reflection of the vintage. Yet there is plenty of mid-palate power in this stylish and refined cabernet. Minerally graphite and blackcurrant notes on the nose with just a trace of mulberry complexity. The palate is sleek and refined with a nice combination of chalky tannins and fine grained understated oak. Persistent and long.

Great Southern

Riesling

Such a good year for these aromatic whites. This is one of the finest and most delicate 3 Drops rieslings. Yet, it also has that long lean palate delivery. Crunchy lemon and lime on the nose with a spicy lemon zip on the palate. The fine delicate acidity drives a very long finish. A subtle powdery bath salts character completes...

Great Southern

Pinot Noir

This little vineyard 3 Drops acquired a few years ago consistently produces excellent pinot noir. This one is a beauty. Spicy dark cherry with a lift of aromatic strawberry on the nose. The palate has a spicy influence through the dark cherry fruit flavours. Captures that balance between fragrance and delicacy with a firmish structured core sustaining a long finish.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

A lighter style of chardonnay, but one with plenty of character. The aromas sit within the melony, light nectarine zone with a little vanilla pod interest. The palate is lightly framed but with good intensity. The stone fruit richness provides plenty within, while a fine acid and light lemon edge add definition and precision.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a tighter and slightly firmer expression of Margaret River cabernet than the 2020, yet there is plenty of power and drive through an intense and concentrated palate. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant and bay leaf with a trace of edgy black olive. The structural core provides so much poise to a wine that will cellar exceptional well.

Margaret River

Shiraz

A wonderful expression of Margaret River shiraz. Provides a distinct point of difference from other cooler regions with its more earthy, savoury and dusty feel adding to the attractiveness of the sweet ripe fruit. The slightly grainy and sinewy tannins are typical of the region, sitting comfortably within the concentrated intense palate. A wine with cellaring potential.

Margaret River

Red Blend

A combination of about 75% cabernet and the rest petit verdot has been chosen for this formidable red wine. It's a powerhouse reflecting the concentration and richness of the early and very ripe 2020 vintage. A blackcurrant and graphite, bay leaf aroma gets things started and then into the palate the real power emerges. That slightly firm grippy, ripe petit...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

There's much to like about this classy chardonnay, but it is that bracing minerally and slightly saline acidity that defines what is a sort of house style. It is finely balanced with a very long palate profile packed with a mix of cashew, brioche and savoury characters. Beautiful wine.

Margaret River

White Blend

Only a smidgeon of oak has been used in this largely tank fermented blend, but it's enough to put the finishes touches on a most attractive wine. Honeysuckle and nettle characters on the nose with a light drizzle of citrus. The palate is lively with a textural feel coming from that oak use. But it is still bright and flavoursome....

Margaret River

Sauvignon Blanc

An interesting wine that offers a lot more than your simple sauvignon blanc fruit bomb. In fact the overt fruitiness is muted and instead you get more layers and intrigue from the combination of mandarin, spices and meal. It all comes from a small amount of oak which transforms it into something quite special.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

This deceptively good vintage produced wines of elegance and style and this is a good example of what came from it. The leafy minerally notes of cabernet are well to the fore. Bright red fruit emerges from an engaging bouquet that sets it up nicely. There's a slightly meaty blackcurrant influence which speaks cabernet. Perfectly balanced with everything coming together...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Takes the single vineyard wine to another zone with greater fruit concentration and intensity. This has more winemaking evident with wild yeast barrel fermentation and regular battonage. Floral citrus grapefruit notes on the nose with richer lemon curd and crème brulee flavours building in the palate. A slightly gunflint edginess picks up the finish.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a powerhouse statement of cabernet. Loaded with blackcurrant and black olive with a liberal addition of bay leaf and dried herbs. The palate cuts deep with a graphite leafy edge striking through the solid core of dark fruit. It's had 50% new French oak, which sits comfortably with the fruit and firm tannins. A wine with some cellaring...

Pemberton

Merlot

A plush medium bodied merlot. Red berry and fruit cake aromas with a little prune juice addition. The palate is soft, supported with fine chalky tannins and understated vanillin oak. Rounded and fruit driven. Ideal for current drinking. The extra year has introduced a layer of cedary and slightly spicy complexity.

Great Southern

Red Blend

This is quite simply, beautiful. It's from a blend of shiraz grenache and mataro sourced from Frankland River. Highly scented aromas with notes of spicy plum and mulberry plus a little black cherry complexity. The palate is velvety and generous as the combination of subtle oak and fine tannins knit it together. Has a dry savoury red dirt finish.

Great Southern

Shiraz

This is such a beautiful shiraz from Frankland River. Highly perfumed, seductively captivating aromas displaying a plummy, cherry and subtle raspberry character. The palate is dense and concentrated but delivered with poise and finesse. Plenty to like about this one which is really starting to move into its work.

Great Southern

Sauvignon Blanc

This is a style that I like to see after a couple of years in bottle and this one shows just why that is important. An excellent example of the fume style that comes from France's Loire. This one had been perfectly handled with the oak infusion never intruding and sitting comfortably as a complement to the fruit. It's sauvignon...

Great Southern

Cabernet Sauvignon

Thoroughly delightful cabernet sauvignon that captures the essence of this outstanding vintage. Has typical ripe sweet fruit displaying a mix of blackcurrant and plum dark chocolate characters. The minerally chalky tannins add a fine elegance. It's firm through the middle palate extending to a very long finish. A finishing oyster shell character completes it perfectly.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

A wonderful expression of Denmark chardonnay. It starts with handpicking and attention to detail at every stage. Aromas of stone fruit, butterscotch and subtle struck match provide a complex opening. The palate is deeply intense with a mix of savoury fruit and slightly sweet vanillin oak. It's gone up a notch or two since last tasted. Outstanding.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This is a bright and lively young chardonnay designed for drinking in the short term. White peach and melon scents with a splash of citrus. The palate is light bodied with good flavour. Fine saline character on the finish keeps it tidy.

Great Southern

Pinot Noir

Shows a softer and more velvety side to this vineyard than the Karriview. Has a delightfully perfumed aroma of dominant dark cherry with some nice, dried herb influences. The palate is velvety smooth and seductively delicious. I love that complex mix of damp earth and African violet. The oak and tannin integration is superb. A cracking wine.

Swan Valley

Rose

Bright and floral rose made into a dry refreshing style. Lifted rose petal and strawberry with a trace of raspberry confectionary character. Crisp fine acidity to finish. A little fruit sweetness is well balanced. Amazing that even these simple wines can improve with a little time in bottle. This one certainly has.