Regions

Geographe

Riesling

This comes from an outstanding Ferguson Valley vineyard that makes some of the finest rieslings in the State. Interesting use of pressings and solids has built in a textural mouthfeel without compromising the essential linear palate feel. There’s citrus but then there is that appley character which seems part of the vineyard. Lovely talcy acid and a trace of minerally...

Geographe

Chardonnay

From a vineyard in Geographe that has proved very good over the years. Whole bunch pressed into a mix of seasoned puncheons and one new French barrique. Follows the Carr approach to build texture and in this case it was left on lees for nine months. Creamy lemon curd and nutty struck match with a trace of that delightful nectarine...

Geographe

Shiraz

It only has 2% viognier, but you know this vinous perfume concentrate is there playing a perfect supporting role. The shiraz is from Donnybrook and the viognier from Margaret River. About 25% was new oak and remainder seasoned puncheons. It’s lively with a bright appeal. Plummy dark chocolate with a spicy ginger floral lift. Has a wonderfully poised mouth feel....

Geographe

Riesling

A first-rate riesling that was unaffected by the extreme heat of the vintage. It’s crisp and pure with a refreshing flavour profile, but there is texture here, resulting from adding some solids and a two-month period of lees stirring. Even the pressings were fermented. So, this is riesling with some real character.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Wherever you went in WA in 2023 you got very good chenin blanc and this one from the Northern end of Wilyabrup is no exception. Solids influence is an important part of Carr’s winemaking, and it shows here. After settling, the juice was fermented in old oak puncheons and after topping left for nine months. There’s been no fining and...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

There are many expressions of chenin blanc, from the highly tropical fruity drink-now styles through to wines of more complexity with oak or lees use. In this case, the Margaret River fruit was pressed straight to older oak for wild fermentation and regular stirring. A further 9 months in oak has added textural feel and complexity. Retains the citrus and...

Margaret River

White Varietal

The vermentinos from Dream Bird have been impressive and it's little wonder that this is one of the best from this excellent season. I particularly like the slightly textural feel which has come from a little time on skins and then fermentation with wild yeast in some puncheons with further stirring of the lees. So you still get that fine...

Pemberton

Pinot Noir

A thoroughly beautiful, fresh and vibrant expression of pinot noir designed for drinking in the short term, but with some medium-term options. Comes from the Bellarmine Vineyard at Pemberton, and after 30% whole bunch in the fermentation, it was only lightly touched by oak. Fragrant strawberry and confectionary raspberry notes. The palate is light-bodied, but there is structure with a...

Blackwood Valley

Tempranillo

Fits snugly into the classic mould for this Spanish variety. It comes from the Blackwood Valley and displays smooth and flavoursome fruit exhibiting a mix of raspberry, vanilla essence and mulberry. The palate is soft with slightly chalky tannins adding structure. The oak is lightly applied, allowing the soft and supple fruit to express itself.

Geographe

Malbec

Here is a malbec with plenty of character. It comes from a high part of the Ferguson Valley in Geographe. A gentle approach to the fermentation, including extended skin contact, has built texture and richness while capturing the smooth succulence of this variety. Bright red juicy fruits with a subtle spicy lift.

Geographe

Chardonnay

The fruit comes from Donnybrook and after hand picking it was whole bunch pressed into puncheons with a mix of 25% new and then wild yeast fermented. Some of the lees were stirred over the 9 months in oak. Opens with an aroma of very subtle butterscotch struck match character but it's restrained and then the palate delivers the richness...

Margaret River

Red Varietal

Okay, so you have your usual vermentino which is crisp, fine and racy with a faint textural feel. Then you get this, which is distinctly more textural. Some time on skins initially and then natural yeasts leading to time on lees to infuse more texture. Has an appealing spicy floral and lemon zest character on the nose. The palate is...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

The '23 vintage was another excellent year for cabernet sauvignon in Margaret River, producing wines of great depth and structure. This wine shows classic varietal characters of blackcurrant, cassis and a touch of mint, with a subtle influence of French oak adding complexity and finesse. The palate is full-bodied, with fine, integrated tannins and a long, elegant finish. A wine...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This turned out to be an excellent season for white varieties, particularly chardonnay, producing wines of delicacy but still with the latent Margaret River power. A small amount of the wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, and then the wine was left for about nine months in oak with regular lees stirring as required. It has a rich...

Margaret River

Malbec

There are some really impressive malbecs being produced these days and this one is right on the money. Captures that soft, delicious suppleness with loads of bright red fruits. It's medium-bodied, but it has structure and poise. Juicy red fruits with darker plum notes provide a compelling combination. Very easy to drink.

Margaret River

Petit Verdot

The long, cool, and sustained ripening period of this vintage seemed to suit petit verdot, which requires the fruit to get fully ripe. In this case, it has, but there's also that wonderful degree of elegance and refinement that comes with this vintage. Loaded with deep, dark fruits after a floral aromatic opening. Well-worked oak and a fine thread of...

Margaret River

Sauvignon Blanc

This has been made in a fumé style, and it's a combination of largely sauvignon blanc with about 15% semillon. It received about 42% new French oak in a mix of barriques and puncheons, which has had a significant impact on the wine. Lovely floral, stone fruit and nutty characters on the nose, and a palate that is both textural...

Margaret River

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

The complexity is immediately evident on the nose of this classic Margaret River combination. Part of each variety was wild fermented in oak, and this has added some lovely aromatics and a textural feel that sets it apart from the standard versions. Lightly nutty, with floral notes and a little citrus edge coming from the refreshing palate. Excellent concentration and...

Margaret River

Shiraz

No surprise that in this very warm year the shiraz was picked quite early. About 30% of the wine was whole bunch for carbonic maceration, to give a vibrant, bright lift to the palate and the nose. Typical varietal pepper and spice combine with some toasty oak emerging. It has good structure and is seamlessly woven with fine tannins and...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

Although from this slightly cooler vintage all the character you seek in cabernet is there. The blackcurrant, minty cedary notes and a little black olive. Overriding is a trace of bay leaf and oyster shell minerality. The palate is medium bodied with good intensity and length. Excellent fruit and oak integration.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

An elegantly crafted medium bodied cabernet with a strong contribution from red fruits to the varietal blackcurrant. Aromas of graphite and sea shell work in to the nose, while the palate delivers with control and effortless ease. Fine tannins and neatly applied oak add subtle support. Has a bright lift on the finish.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

I do like the style that has been developed under this label. It’s a fine and quite delicate style yet within its light framework the aromas and palate reveal much of the site and region. Shows more of the tighter lemon and pear notes with a little crunchy melon and just a little richer nectarine. The palate is crisp and...

Margaret River

Sauvignon Blanc

Plenty of intriguing characters and nuances swirling through this fume style sauvignon blanc. The underlying notes passionfruit and tropical fruit are still evident but then the oak introduces other characters of flinty minerals and a slightly smoky nutty nuance. Rich creamy texture but a firm hand guides to a long finish.

Margaret River

Petit Verdot

This warmer and generous vintage suited varieties like petit verdot which require the warmth and hang time on the vine to achieve their best. Lots of dark black fruits with chocolate and spices in abundance. The palate is generous and plush with chalky tannins and understated oak in support. Attractive style.

Margaret River

Semillon

There is a remarkable purity and brightness in this semillon from a season that seemed particularly well suited to the variety. It's a delicate, almost understated wine, yet with a little air the flavour intensity steadily builds. The nose reveals classic citrus blossom, lemon and subtle floral aromas. The palate introduces a fine oyster shell minerality that beautifully complements the...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Another classy chardonnay under this label. On the nose there's a mix of pear and lemon zest with a little saline purity. The palate is finely presented with a lemon and vanillin character merging with just a trace of lifted honeysuckle blossom. No it's settled a creamy texture is developing on the palate.

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a refined and beautifully elegant cabernet expressing the best elements of this Margaret River vintage. On the nose there an engaging combination of red currant and blackberry, black olive. A thread of graphite speaks loudly of cabernet while dark blackcurrant fruits with a chocolatey richness build on the palate. Perfectly integrated with fine oak and a chalky tannin...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

Another super exciting step forward from Driftwood. A most polished and expressive cabernet of medium to full body and crafted along classic cabernet lines. The colour is bright and radiates from the glass. The nose is a beautiful combination of cranberry and cassis with a chalky oyster shell minerality. The palate is exquisitely seamless and integrated. A wine of real...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

My guess was that this would probably be the best cabernet yet released from Driftwood. It didn't take long to confirm that. It's a marvellous wine from a marvellous vintage. It's medium to full-bodied, but it's deeply concentrated with powerful blackcurrant, bay leaf, and a little olive tapenade complexity. The aroma lifts from the glass with beautiful floral aromatics. The...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

It's a marvellous wine from a marvellous vintage. It's medium to full-bodied, but it's deeply concentrated with powerful blackcurrant, bay leaf, and a little olive tapenade complexity. The aroma lifts from the glass with beautiful floral aromatics. The palate is controlled, neatly integrated with fine chalky tannins, and well-managed oak holding the line, carrying it through to a sustained finish....

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This excellent wine is the result of a barrel selection program. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and wild fermented before going into oak with regular battonage. The Driftwood chardonnays have been very good in recent years and this one from the generous '22 vintage is another. Has a bracing fine fruit character with a cracker seashell edge working with...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Okay, this stacks up as the best chardonnay yet from Driftwood. Displays the subtle understatement of the style and the site, but then you start to explore the complex aromas of cut lime, lemon, quince and richer crème brulee. The palate then kicks in with its embedded richness coming from regular lees stirring. A most impressive and exciting chardonnay development...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Continues the excellent run of chardonnays from this established producer in Margaret River. In this case, the fruit was handpicked and then wild fermented before heading into French oak barriques for nine months, during which time there was regular stirring in three-weekly cycles. This one retains the fine linear presence that's marked these recent chardonnays. But there's also a textural...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This comes from two blocks off the Driftwood Vineyard. It typifies the vintage in many ways, with its fine elegance and precision. The whole bunch pressing adds a bit more weight and structure, with natural fermentation adding further complexity. There's a light lemon curd, savory combination on the palate, with a little stone fruit. But it's held quite tight and...

Great Southern

Chardonnay

This wine is just starting to show the faintest hint of secondary characters, although it still has a long way to go. Ripe stone fruit with a nectarine peachy combination at play. Some barrel fermentation influence has contributed to its slightly creamy rich and already complex palate. Finishes with a subtle savoriness.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

A slightly more restrained chardonnay compared with the 2021. It’s tighter with a taut and slightly tense middle palate. But the oak and fruit balance works really well with the savoury stone fruit and citrus characters working with the slightly cashew-like influences.

Great Southern

Chardonnay

This is a first-rate chardonnay showing the benefits of this excellent season. There is power and concentrated intensity here, yet it presents with restraint and precision. The result is a palate of great poise and length. Stone fruit with a nutty citrus and slightly savoury finish. Some time in barrel has worked well. So well balanced. An excellent wine.

Great Southern

Riesling

This is a first-rate example of the off-dry style. Yes, it has sweetness, but the fine minerally acidity has ensured it retains its lively non-cloying mouth feel. A lemon and orange peel aroma sets you off into the palate which has excellent depth of flavour with a lift of lemon zest and crisp acid on the finish., Serve it nice...

Great Southern

Riesling

Another very good riesling from this Denmark vineyard. A merging of cut lime and lemon zest with traces of spicy minerals a feature. It’s bone dry and long with a precise mouth feel through to the finish.

Great Southern

Riesling

The spicy minerality of this taut yet still slightly textural riesling is fascinating. White florals on the nose with a little lemony citrus. The palate is controlled and persistent with tremendous length. It was a terrific season, and this one has turned out beautifully. One of the best from this excellent vintage.