Umamu is one of the great, though lesser known, estates of Margaret River. Three things jump out as remarkable about this release. First, that it’s so wonderfully harmonious, elegant, immaculately poised and understated for a warm season. Second, that it’s so backward and youthful for its pending release at an incredible six years of age. […]

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An elegant and refreshingly medium-bodied take on Hilltops, in a fragrant an enticing style to enjoy right away, with deceptive potential to develop for a decade. Five vineyards around Young have conspired to build a perfumed and spicy shiraz that conjures associations with rose petals, violets, incense and black pepper, against a backdrop of tangy […]

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The cool 2011 season has produced an outstanding Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay of structural energy, focus and texture. Diligent vineyard attention did away with any hint of rot, leaving pristine fruit of expressive white nectarine character, taut grapefruit focus and wonderfully vibrant acidity. Wild fermentation, maturation on lees and a light touch of new French […]

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Dollar for dollar, this has got to rank among the top chardonnays that have emerged this year. More than this, it’s one of just two chardonnays at this price that I have ever scored 96 points, the other being the sublime Oakridge of the same vintage. Scorpo’s most outstanding chardonnay yet is impeccably precise in […]

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“A celebration of spice,” proclaims the bottle, and this it is! Laced with white pepper, potpourri, curry and exotic spices of all kinds, it’s a tangy and crunchy style, with fine, textural, spicy tannins holding everything in place. Wonderful persistence and harmony make for an alluringly exotic and enticing wine that’s difficult to resist before […]

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This is a more than respectable price for a Margaret River flagship, and Evans & Tate delivers in deep blackcurrant, black plum and blackberry fruits, framed in savoury complexity of black olives, even hints of coal dust. It retains a lively vibrancy in the midst of dark chocolate oak and impressively firm, fine tannins, promising […]

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In steady hands, the 2011 vintage was capable of elegant and fragrant pinots of confident structure. Paradigm Hill released a wine not only worthy of its flagship status but one of the most ethereal under this label yet. Its fragrant allure is enticing, evoking memories of rose hip, bouquet garni, morello cherries and pink pepper. […]

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The evolution of LEASCS is complete, and 2009 confirms that the polished refinement of recent vintages was no fluke. Impressive concentration of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit is presented in a style of crunchy vibrancy, lifted violet fragrance and savoury black olive complexity. French oak contributes dark chocolate and well balanced tannins, already well integrated […]

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The modern era of Vat 9 is certainly a captivating one, and 2010 represents benchmark Hunter shiraz of enticing allure and understated longevity. A cool, wet February made for long ripening and beautifully elegant, gloriously medium-bodied restraint. Maturation in large 2700L vats kept oak influence and oxidation at bay, giving full voice to deep and […]

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A lighter, more savoury and more perfumed Clonakilla that promises exceptional longevity. It’s explosively fragrant, exotically spicy and refreshingly tangy, loaded with potpourri, cardamom, dried flowers, Campari, white pepper and rose hip over an elegant core of morello cherries. Lively acidity meets superfine, impeccably crafted tannins of immense presence. Cellar for a decade and drink […]

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