Regions

Margaret River

White Varietal

A quite rare variety in Australia, but a few interesting examples are being produced. This is certainly one of the more intense examples and a very good wine. Spicy apply citrus and light pastry characters emerge initially on the nose and then into the fine and tightly controlled palate. Has a refreshing crunchy finishing acidity. Ideal aperitif wine.

Margaret River

White Varietal

Have been a bit of a fan of this variety since I first saw it from Lenton Brae a few years ago. I love its texture and fruit characters evident on the nose and the palate. Nice lightly spicy, nutty characters on the nose with a splash of citrus. And then a palate which delivers surprising flavour intensity, but held...

Margaret River

Rose

The brilliant pink luminosity is an immediate feature of this easy drinking rose. Loaded with light raspberry and cherry characters with a little spice. It’s dry and crisp with a long linear finish. A wine for drinking in the next year or so.

Margaret River

Rose

This is a blend of shiraz and tempranillo that were co-fermented. The colour is typically pale pink. The nose has some lovely red fruit aromatics with a strawberry-raspberry combo. And then the palate is thoroughly delightful. It’s textural and flavoursome, but at the same time, lively and verve. A very fine acidity ensures a focused, pure, long finish. Score: 93/100...

Margaret River

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

One of the earliest examples of this blended style in Margaret River, and one which remains one of the most enjoyable. Aromas show a bright combination of melon and passionfruit with traces of cut grass. The palate is flavoursome with a lingering finish. Excellent drinking in the short term.

Margaret River

White Blend

This wine was first launched into the market 40 years ago. And it remains one of the signature styles and examples of this blend from Margaret River. It’s always controlled and never over the top, with a nice combination of the dominant lemony semillon with the more aromatic, fruity sauvignon blanc. It all knits neatly together, producing a wine that...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This is such a beautifully presented chardonnay from this excellent vintage. It’s a mix of Gingin and Dijon clones, which combines the power of Gingin with the linear penetration of Dijon. It’s a medium bodied wine but still packs plenty with notes of brioche and lemon curd with a subtle nutty influence. Minerally finish adds a nice lift.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

A combination of the traditional Margaret River Gingin clone and the Dijon clone. It brings the richness and power of the Gingin component but with the linear, refined elegance of the Dijon. It’s a lighter style but with good intensity and a subtle, understated use of oak to allow the fruit to express itself.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Excellent chardonnay that captures the concentration and yet degree of delicacy from the ’25 vintage. It’s a mix of Gingin and Dijon clones, and I suspect that Dijon component’s just added that sense of refinement and lightness of touch to the awesome power of the Gingin. Melony citrus, lightly butterscotch notes on the nose. Then an almost racy palate, showing...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

A mix of clones has been used here to complement the traditional Gingin clone. So, you know it has power and weight, but the Bernard and P58 clones have brought a restrained refinement to balance. After wild yeast fermentation, it was left on lees for nine months, during which time it picked up deeper, richer palate intensity. Has a nutty,...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

A wine which manages to express this slightly cooler vintage in a most impressive way. Roma of black olive and bay leaf, underpinned by a layer of blackcurrant. There's a little minerally oyster shell adding another dimension. The mix of new and older French oak has been well-weighted to allow the fruit to express. Fine chalky tannins provide support and...

Margaret River

Cabernet Blend

This was a very hot vintage early on, but then things became a little milder, which suited these late ripening varieties such as cabernet. Bright and alive with blackcurrant, chocolate and deep plum characters. A trace of oyster shell minerality and a little black olive edge make important complementing contributions. Strikes a great oak and tannin balance for what is...

Margaret River

Red Blend

One of the very best cabernets from Lenton Brae in recent years, and it comes off vines that were planted way back in 1983. Cabernet takes the dominant place, but malbec and petit verdot add that palate-filling richness and finish to complete an excellent wine. Blackcurrant and slightly bay leaf notes with a little oyster shell complexity on the nose....

Margaret River

Cabernet Blend

This is the flagship red wine from Lenton Brae. It comes from vines that were planted way back in 1983. And so even in warm years like ’24, these old vines produce fruit that is balanced and flavoursome. Leafy blackcurrant, a little black olive, and an oyster shell minerality combine on the nose. Palate is structured and powerful with firmish,...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Another excellent chardonnay. It's had the treatment with wild yeast fermentation and battonage to develop palate richness and feel. The nose reveals a mealy almond aroma with a trace of savouriness. The palate is richly textured but with a tight acid line that controls and drives through to the finish. Nice spicy touches add further complexity and interest.

Margaret River

Chardonnay

A wine that really makes a statement about the vintage and the now mature vineyard. It’s predominantly Gingin clone with about 5% other clones. A mix of new and use French oak of different sixes was used with wild yeast fermentation and nine months on lees. It’s textured with a lovely mix of roasted hazelnut, brioche and lemon curd laced...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Once again, this is a blend of clones, in this case, Gingin and Bernard, which contributes to its complexity and structure. It was fermented in a mix of French oak with wild yeast and then spent nine months on lees. It’s a linear expression of chardonnay, and yet there is good texture and richness throughout the palate as it extends...

Margaret River

Semillon

There are so many ways you can deal with semillon. In this case, it’s a mix of 25% new French oak and the rest in stainless steel with 8 months on lees. It’s created texture and richness while retaining the linear thread of fine acidity. Lemon scented with a slightly smoky backdrop. Has a clean and pure palate which extends...

Margaret River

Semillon

I bang on about semillon all the time, and yet here’s the reason. It’s wines like this. This is a cracking good example of what Margaret River can produce with this variety, an underrated variety these days. It’s had about 25% new French oak, and then spent eight months on lees, so it’s picked up a complexity and textural element...

Great Southern

Chardonnay

This is something of a breakthrough chardonnay from Denmark. It joins some other outstanding wines being produced in this subregion, but when you take in the price Nelson is making a real statement…and why not. It comes off the Karriview vineyard and was picked from selected vines with just enough to make one barrel. Basket pressed to oak and then...

Great Southern

Pinot Noir

From the first take on the nose this is impressive. Nelson gets the fruit from Denmark. The nose bursts open with a wild ride of cherry, spices and dark plum. Then the palate. This is a structured and almost robust wine, but of course it’s pinot so there is refinement and elegance as it gathers and releases the palate through...

Great Southern

Pinot Noir

This is Nelson's premium expression of pinot noir from Denmark, and although this was a warm season, everything has come together quite beautifully. Aromas of dark cherry, slightly smoky oak, a touch of mushroom, and a little spice. Such a seamless and velvety smooth medium-weight palate, and there's real power here supported by a fine thread of tannin and well-managed...

Great Southern

Shiraz

Comes from a season which was short, sharp and concentrated, and smack bang in the middle of COVID. This is a beautiful, plump, opulent, and immensely powerful wine, but it delivers with a real sense of polish and refinement. It's bright and lively with a mix of earthy black fruits, a subtle hint of chocolate and spice, and a dry...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

For a wine selling for around $20, there is a bit of class in this Margaret River chardonnay. Picked earlier to miss a lot of the heat. Fermented in French oak with lees stirring to add palate richness and complexity. Craem with subtle cashew and citrus characters. The palate is tightly held through the core but with ample flesh for...

Margaret River

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

A burst of tropical fruit with a lift of dried herbs, citrus and a little sherbet greet initially. This is a crisp and fresh young blend that offers plenty of current drinking. Has good intensity through the palate with a lingering satisfying finish.

Margaret River

Shiraz

It’s hard to imagine a better current drinking shiraz at this price point. The ’23 vintage was outstanding, with the fruit displaying wonderful flavours even on a light body. This one covers all the bases. It’s from Margaret River and displays some quite lovely aromas of light plum and cherry. The palate is medium weight with fine acid and a...

Swan Valley

Verdelho

These old vines were planted in the Swan Valley in the nineteenth century and are among the oldest producing the State. Not the varietal punch of previous vintages but instead there is a fine minerally linear feel, still with palate depth and intensity. Has a zingy mouthfeel with a minerally citrus tang adding to the long finish. Give a bit...

Swan Valley

Verdelho

Remarkably, this vineyard was planted way back in 1895, and it continues to pump out outstanding fruit into these verdelhos. The striking feature is the balance. The fine acidity works seamlessly with the intensity of the fruit. This vintage looks especially strong for verdelho, and this wine captures it beautifully. Medium-bodied, with vibrant fruit intensity sustained by refreshing acidity through...

Margaret River

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mandoon sources the fruit for this excellent cabernet from Wilyabrup, and 2023 was a wonderful year. It’s loaded with black fruits, dark chocolate, a little black olive, and blackberry. The palate is seamlessly integrated, with oak and tannin providing fine support to the exceptional fruit. Dark fruits dominate, but the style remains medium-bodied, with a brightness and purity that shine....

Margaret River

Chardonnay

Mandoon's southern vineyard at Karridale is the source of this excellent chardonnay. Whole-bunch pressed into French barriques, with natural ferments, has contributed to a wine that is both texturally pleasing and preserves a fine linear thread. Light stone fruit and cream with subtle nutty quince-paste aromatics. The palate is delightfully vibrant, with zingy acidity lifting and sustaining the wine through...

Swan Valley

Durif

A variety that does like the warmer vintages to allow it to maximise its tremendous flavour potential. In this case, the 2024 vintage turned out to be ideal for working the variety, which comes from the Maxwell Road vineyard. This is typically generous and big, yet it's not excessive. The fruit has some lovely chocolatey, cherry-like characters and a little...

Swan Valley

Verdelho

This old block of verdelho is now nearly 130 years old and it produces remarkably good and consistent fruit. And in this great Swan Valley year it ratchets up another gear. Bursting with tropical favours, which are intense but not overt. The acid is crisp and defining to carry the palate to an incredibly long finish. As good as any...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

This comes from Mandoon's Karridale vineyard. It was a warm year, but the cooler Karridale region has ensured it retains its fine delicacy with a little more engine room intensity. Crunchy savoury fruit with a little chalky acidity creates a linear structure which extends with focus and precision through to a long finish.

Swan Valley

Shiraz

A most attractive shiraz from these old vines planted in the Swan Valley nearly 70 years ago. A supple and generously fleshy shiraz loaded with deeply concentrated plush plummy and slightly spicy fruit. Aromas of plum and mulberry with a trace of mocha. The palate is rich and plush with the French oak and chalky tannins holding it to a...

Swan Valley

Grenache

You gotta love Swan Valley grenache. This comes from old dry grown and very low yielding bush vines that are handpicked and made following a traditional hands-on approach. Medium bodied fruit sees only older oak to let the natural exotic lifted red fruits of the variety to emerge. Rose petal and a touch of lavender with vibrant red berry nuances....

Swan Valley

Grenache

A wonderful example of grenache from old bush vines in the Swan Valley, in a superb year. It’s medium-weight, yet it packs so much into it. Lifted florals of red fruits, rose petals, a little damp earth, and even a touch of wild strawberry on the nose. The palate bursts with youthful exuberance, punchy red fruits, minimal oak influence from...

Swan Valley

Shiraz

A vintage which started out very hot but then settled into a normal pattern, finishing up producing some high-class red wines. This, from old Swan Valley vines, is an example. Handpicked and then fermented in open fermenters before pressing to French oak. The softness and elegance of the Valley is on full view here. Brilliant and vibrant colours and a...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

The cooler climate of the Mandoon’s Karridale vineyard has built in the fine elegance and refinement of this excellent chardonnay. The fruit comes from 10 rows on the vineyard and is then whole punch pressed followed by a natural ferment in oak. Aromas of light lemon curd, quince and a mix of spices engages immediately. The palate has a rich...

Margaret River

Chardonnay

In this case, winemaker Ryan Sudano has gone to the cooler environs of Karridale, well to the south of Margaret River. It's a region that really does suit sparkling wine chardonnay. There is a lovely, slightly nutty, citrusy purity in this wine. Then some lovely secondary characters have developed over seven years on lees, where subtle autolysis has worked its...

Margaret River

Sauvignon Blanc

In a hot year like ’24 it is very useful to have access to your own vineyard south of Margaret River at Karridale. A small part of this was fermented in new French oak and it becomes immediately apparent on the nose. It adds a nutty complexity to the primary punchy fruit aromas and then into the palate where it...