Australia Wine Trip

Margaret River was supposed to be the next exciting thing to happen to Australia which I partly agree. There are already established wineries and actually half of the vineyards along the main Caves roads are probably familiar names to many. However, there are still many unfamiliar names to explore. Due to increasing international pressure and criticisms, I noted the wines have toned down on oak and bigness with more taking a elegant approach. In particular, the whites seem to be heading towards the "advised" style of clean fresh fruits without the "bastardization" of overripe fruits, vanilla oak sweetness and butteriness. One thing I hope is that the vineyards don't just follow the latest fad and copy each other's style to make seemingly similar wines. I find that many of the whites being made are too closely matched in style with each other.

A vineyard I picked out that was closer to where we stayed. This was awarded 5 red stars by James Halliday too. Found many interesting varietals and they actually made quite a range of wines. However, most were okay to good wines with nothing exceptional.

• 2006 Happs Sémillon Marrimee 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Mainly made up of semillion with some chard. This is crisp, pristine gooseberries and grapefruit on the nose. Very interesting wine. A bit of spicy white fruits and some bitter fruit too.

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• 2008 Happs Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lots of grassy, lively gooseberries with bitter pith and lots of minerals.

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• 2006 Happs Three Hills Eva Marie 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  This seriously smells like the air surrounding the vineyard with lots of karri forests trees perfuming the wine. A dry wine with lots of wet stones and citurs pith.

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• 2007 Happs Chardonnay 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Again I get the smells of the surronding karri forest trees in the wine. Lemon skins, pith and french barrique shows. Very balanced effort with nice spiciness. Feels somewhat chablis like but with more citrus fruits.

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• 2006 Happs Chardonnay 3 Hills 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lovely lemon custard with nice mineral undertones and nice complementary toasty almonds and vanilla butter. Still quite elegant and well put together.

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• 2005 Happs Pinot Noir 74 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lifted spicy berries with smoky black peppercorns. Bitter and a little disturbing.

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• 2006 Happs Nebbiolo Three Hills Margaret River 75 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Smooky white pepper , a bit dry, a bit rough and a bit bitter with disturbing smoky finish.

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• 2007 Happs Merlot 3 Hills 72 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Smoky awkward and bitter harsh tannins.

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• 2009 Happs Merlot 74 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  rounder merlot than the 3 hills version but still a bit lean.

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• 2004 Happs Fortis Margaret River 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Unlike a traditional port, ths is rather lighter on the nose. Palate wise, stilll jammy like strawberry breakfast muffins. Full bodied toasted coffee beans and dark choc. Pwdery tannins. Lush and velvety with coatings of dark fruits. Unfortunately , short finish.

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• 2003 Happs Charles Andreas Three Hills 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Aussie eucalyptus mintyness . Velvety mouthfeel of plummy characteristics. Some cough mixture lift.

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A winery just opposite my hotel. This is a fairly new "negociant" winery that purchases their fruit from margaret river. Was suprised to find out that the 1st ever vintage of the 2004 cab blend took the jimmy watson award! which was unheard of previously. Fortunately or unfortunately, that winemaker that won the award is moving on and being replaced by ex winemaker of Voyager estate. Apparenly, by purchasing fruit and not growing their own, the winery is able to source only the "best" for making of the wines. At the moment, I don't feel the consistency in quality of their wines but was quite delighted by the roses. Hopefully, they will improve further.

• 2009 Flametree Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 75 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Fresh cut grass with nice refreshing green apples on the nose. However, light gooseberries and almost watery palate.

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• 2009 Flametree Embers 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Not as fresh smelling with a whiff of smokiness as well but light nectarines and light gooseberries on the palate.

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• 2007 Flametree Chardonnay 77 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Smelly mushrooms with hints of butter. Melons, citrus and finishing slightly weak though.

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• 2008 Flametree Rosé 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Fresh strawberries and cream. Very elegant provencal styled rose.

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• 2009 Flametree Rosé 85 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Tasted this twice and when tasted with food, this is even better than ever.
  During the first tasting at the winery: noted the sweeter nose of sun ripened strawberry fruits and this was already a very pleasing wine (despite the rainy chilly weather outside) with fun running throughout the palate.
  Re-tasted when paired with some asian food: Lovely rose ! The best tasted on this trip. Fresh red and ripe raspberries, strawberries and cream. Lots of wholesome party fun sweetness but in a very attractive and non overpowering manner. Very versatile rose and does exhibit a serious side with some minerality on the finish.

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• 2008 Flametree Embers 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  The entry level for this winery but a good effort. This is easy drinking with lots of ripe berries supported by french oak.

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• 2007 Flametree Merlot 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  A simple wine but with good plums, spiciness with more cool fruits characteristics. Quite a soft wine.

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• 2008 Flametree Cabernet Merlot 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Violets, berries and chocolate. Cool light berry fruits. A good effort.

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• 2008 Flametree Shiraz 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Frankland River

  (9/20/2009)

  Nice nose of spicy cherries. Black ripe berries and licourice driven with more spice.

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• 2007 Flametree Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/20/2009)

  Dark fruits with some oriental plums. Quite a generous wine with typical aussie fruits. No suprises but a well made wine.

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• 2007 Flametree Shiraz Reserve 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Frankland River

  (9/20/2009)

  Big boned wine with nice licourice supported black fruits. Heavy but fine tannins. Not too shabby.

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The most posh and french bordeaux chateau like vineyard in the whole trip. Lovely place for lunch too. The vineyards are beautiful but smelt of aristocratic snobbery. The wines were , of cos, in a higher class on average and firmly sits on the list of bigwig wineries in Margaret River. I like it and I heard they recently had their winemaker move on to Flametree wines. Also, they had a change in direction a few vintages back to pursue cleaner fruit flavours and using more french oak and adopting more elegance in their wines.

• 2006 Voyager Estate VOC Brut 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  White flowers, sea breeze crispness, white nectarines, white stonefruits and nice finish with some residual sugars.

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• 2008 Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Ultimate grassiness explodes on the nose with lovely gooseberries and lively ripe grapefruits.

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• 2007 Voyager Estate Sémillon VOC 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lifted white flowers . Clean finish of pith and some lean greeness at the end.

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• 2005 Voyager Estate Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc Tom Price 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lifted white flowers, restrained grass notes and quite elegantly light wine.

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• 2002 Voyager Estate Chardonnay 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  White pungent flowers reminding me of viognier from Rhone. Pear fruits, grapefruits, lemon marmalade , lemon custard backed by bitter pith and smoky minerality. All this is framed by elegant oak and somewhat gives the impression of a puligny. A pity it is just a tad too high on the alc.

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• 2006 Voyager Estate Chardonnay 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Ripe yellow fruits . Racy styled, new world style with fresher and cleaner grapefruit citrus notes. Not as interesting though as I last remembered though but still good. A subtle wine.

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• 2007 Voyager Estate Chardonnay 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  A much fruitier effort with sweeter fruit tones. Not as complex as the previous vintages with light but focused fruits. Lacks just that bit more structure.

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• 2008 Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Nice muscat floral aromas. Started off light but builds up slowly and elegantly to a floral, lasting finish. This is just a pretty sunshine gal.

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• 2007 Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot Girt by Sea 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Quite classical. Good tannins, lovely cassis fruits like a good 05 medoc. Good QPR.

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• 2006 Voyager Estate Shiraz 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Very peppery and spiced up. Classical rhone garrigue shows but just lacking that bit of fruits for more balance.

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• 2007 Voyager Estate Merlot VOC 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Spice on flowers. Soft spicy plums. Quite tannic.

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• 2004 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lots of spicesm black soil and even some leather at the finish. A wine that needs some aging.

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• 2004 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Tom Price 85 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Opulent nose of dark fruits, cedar box and some cigar. Very big and hedonistic upfront with a classical pullback with earthiness finishing off the body of blackforest fruits.

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The absolute big brother to Voyager and sits side by side to Voyager as well. However, I find a very different type of winery here. It feels more aussie but also in a regal aussie royalty way. The whites were quite good in general with interesting suprises on their shiraz. I had another winemaker in Swan tell me that they went around "testing" soil samples in Margaret river and found that only Leeuwin's was sitting on gravelly soil providing for better drainage. I guess this terroir shows in their famed art series chards.

• 2005 Leeuwin Estate Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Fresh white bread nose. Citrus, steely distilled water. Dry with a bit on the finish.

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• 2008 Leeuwin Estate Riesling Art Series 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Nice sweet floral nose with good honeysuckle notes and minerality. Extremely enjoyable wine that went great with food.

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• 2008 Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Very grassy, fresh cut grass. Ripe gooseberries, nicely sweet and easy drinking summer drink.

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• 2008 Leeuwin Estate Sauvignon Blanc Art Series 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Very grassy, spiced white stonefruits. Enjoyable but short finish.

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• 2008 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Classic Dry White 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Less grassy than the previous Sauvignons from the same estate. Some lemongrass, gently ripe fruits. Quite balanced.

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• 2007 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Prelude 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Simple, lightly fruity with light oak. Good body of light white fruits and white peaches.

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• 2006 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series 86 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Floral lifted lemon cream.Good minerals lining some creaminess and fresh crisp aussie fruit with cardamon spices. However, different from the other chards tasted, this displays a lovely montrachet like nuance on the palate.

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• 2007 Leeuwin Estate Shiraz Art Series 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Floral violets aromas. Cool climate fruit in a hot vintage therefore showing good fruit weight but retaining cool mintyness on the palate. Sweet raspberries and coffee shows too. I quite like this shiraz. It went well with asian food too!

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• 2004 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Merlot 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Very woodsy and a bordeaux wannabe wine. A pity that in the process it lost its fruit and displayed dried out fruits.

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• 2004 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Mushrooms and orange-flavoured chocolate with coffeeish, dark polished plums. A black and dark fruited wine with dark florals and a dash of minty eucalyptus spiciness. Dark and slightly mysterious. A good wine.

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The other really visually pleasing winery with a nice lake and artisitically decorated and designed winery / restaurant. Despite grandeur, the wines were dissappointingly so so with only the chard and sweet wine showing well. I thought too much oak (despite it being french) being used. The bottle packaging looks artistic but somehow there is a sorta commercial bastardization to the wines.

• 2009 Laurence of Margaret River Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Light fresh cut grass, gooseberries, citrus lemons and some sweetness. Standardish.

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• 2007 Laurence of Margaret River Chardonnay 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Oyster shells, mineral tinged hot butter on a bunch of mushrooms and hazelnuts. Very elegantly styled. Warm yellow fruits providing lovely aromatics in the mouth . Rich and somewhat opulent wine. As rich as a meursault but with aussie fresh fruits. Very good.

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• 2008 Laurence of Margaret River Rosé 74 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Raspberries, rosewater and pink candyfloss. Weak body of diluted grape skin tainted water. Bitter seeds at the end with a bit of awkwardness. Directionless wine.

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• 2007 Laurence of Margaret River Merlot 72 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Attractive glowing violet red hue. However, the wine stops theere. Oaky, smoky and some nail varnish on the nose. Overoaked with lots of woodsy notes covering any trace of that wonderful margaret river fruit. Bitter tannins and crushed unripe berries.

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• 2003 Laurence of Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Browning deep red colour. Wet mushrooms, wet wood, smoky licourice and chinese herbs. More restrained oak but fruits are still quite dried out.

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• 2006 Laurence of Margaret River Sémillon Just a Sweetie 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Wet hay, figs, smelling a little raw and stemy. On the palate, lovely fresh apricots, lovely sweetness. Very infant level baby fat cutesy and sweet adorable wine. The nose is kinda wierd and might put off some ppl but this tastes quite good.

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A very unassuming wood structured small winery that I kinda like. The small scale dedication shows in the wines but really evidently in their chardonnays. A french winemaker in Swan commented that the only winemaker she knew that went all out to respect terroir in Margaret River is in Pierro. Well that really does say much about their wines. The Chards are really good but can't say the same for their reds though.

• 2007 Pierro Chardonnay Margaret River 85 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Hot butter, pear, honey dew and controlled vanilla oak. Lovely minerality streaks through the fresh citrus notes piled atop fresh baked waffle nuances. Lovely wine.

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• 2007 Pierro Pinot Noir 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Pink cough mixture, ripe raspberries, cotton candy on the nose. New worldish sweet pretty strawberries dominate with brambly but somewhat thin cherry juice as well.

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• 2006 Pierro Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot L.T.Cf. 77 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Green capsicums and brambly cherries. Light simple berry fruits.

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• 2004 Pierro Cabernet Merlot Reserve 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Sweet florals supporting ripe cool fruits which comprise lots of cool dark berries. A fair and elegant wine.

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A boutique winery that has gained an increasing following in recent years. The whites are so so but the reds , in particular the cabernet sauvignons, are one of the best in the region. I adore the reserve straight cabs but they don't come cheap now. The winery is very clinical and somewhat bare but I guess that is their way of keeping unneccesary costs down. Noted some commercialization development from the winemaker's daughter but hope they don't change what they have been doing well in the past.

• 2008 Woodlands Chardonnay 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Mouth puckering acidity, toasty buttery oak with nice bright fruits.

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• 2008 Woodlands Cabernet Franc Merlot 74 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Light simple wine with coffee oak and soft underwhelming fruit.

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• 2008 Woodlands Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Merlot 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Just bottled for a week. The smells of new fresh oak barrels show. Lots of cool blueberry fruits. Might get better with time.

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• 2008 Woodlands Emily 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Fragrant hand soap with cool pristine black and blue fruits. A balanced wine.

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• 2006 Woodlands Margaret 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Savory roasted peppers on cool pristine fruits. Beautiful elegance with sandalwood finish.

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• 2007 Woodlands Margaret 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  The nose is definitely closed up compared to the 06 but this has rounder and plusher plummish fruits.

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• 2006 Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon Robert Reserve 85 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Green herbs, lettuce, round plums and wild berries. Lovely paalte of juicy round pristine cool climate fruits. A wine of finese finishing with some greenery. I like. Will definitely improve with time.

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• 2001 Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Reserve 88 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  My bro generously shared his 2nd last bottle of this beautiful wine with us. Similar notes as previously with lots of dark plummish fruits and nicely integrated oak except this has gotten even more integrated and finer with time. Very bordeaux and somewhat like a medoc. Lovely wine with complexity.

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An up and coming "cult", next-big-thing vineyard that has developed quite a following as well.The winery looked quite clinical , cold and commerical though. The sweet wines here seem to be more popular and gaining quite a reputation. I do agree with their sweet wines but price wise, they are not very QPR. Hope they don't overshoot their fame by overpricing their wines.

• 2006 Gralyn Estate Shiraz 77 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  A mixed bag of spices with dominating cloves. Light red spicy fruits. A pity the finish is kinda weak and short.

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• 2005 Gralyn Estate Old Vine Shiraz 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Dark chocolate, anise and tarry characteristics. An okay aussie shiraz that could be replicated by quite any other talented winemaker.

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• 2005 Gralyn Estate Cabernet-Shiraz 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Some alc, smoky spice notes and racy red currants. Elegantly put together currant berries. Not bad at all.

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• 2005 Gralyn Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Dark christmas fruits smelling very much like a port! Still very aussie in essence but restrained sunshine fruit here with lovely dark choc, cassis and juice round succulent fruits.

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• 2008 Gralyn Estate Rosé Margaret River 76 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Rosewater nose. Juicy strawberry fruited wine. A juicy sweet party wine with no fuss. Quaffable stuff.

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• 2006 Gralyn Estate Vintage Port 75 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Muted nose. Yummy tasting like the strawberry cream filling in a pastry eclair. However, is a bit sickly sweet.

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• NV Gralyn Estate Ruby Port 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Brown red . Rich flavours of luscious rich toffee, golden raisins. A fine effort with no alc burn. Quite a smooth port to enjoy.

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• NV Gralyn Estate Artizan 90 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  All the rich opulent and hedonistic notes that a top grade sweet wine should have but not at all as sticky like the rest of the sweet stuff you can find in australia. Beautifully well balanced with lively essence of raisins. This is golden ember medicine of the gods! Amazing wine with great finese reminding me of a really good hungarian top grade tokay.

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Supposedly one of the first few wineries established in the region and does have a "first growth" status in the region . The winery is impressive and huge with lots of artistic scultures. However, I find the wines displaying commmercialization with profits rather than passion driving the outfit. The top wines were not a available for tasting and I do hope the quality matches the price and hype but from what I get so far, I just think it would be a good wine that any other talented winemaker in australia can make.

• 2008 Vasse Felix Chardonnay Margaret River 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lightly oaked, pear and smoky lemons with minerals lacings.

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• 2007 Vasse Felix Chardonnay Heytesbury 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Petrolly mushrooms on the nose. This has mineral laced lemon spritzer water. A fair effort.

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• 2008 Vasse Felix Viognier 75 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Apparently only available at the cellar door. This is probably an experimental effort by the winemaker. Lots of jasmine flowers and simple white fruits. So so wine.

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• 2008 Vasse Felix Tempranillo 73 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Souless plain red grape juice with some alc thrown in for measure.

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• 2007 Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 81 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Leafy green herbaceousness and mint as well. Quite smooth tannins with plummish red fruits.

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• 2006 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 83 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Lots of ribena blackcurrants. Quite smooth juicy rounded plush berry fruits. A gentle delicious wine.

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• 2006 Vasse Felix Shiraz Margaret River 80 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Christmas pudding and dark berries scented. Some nai varnish, brambles and dark fruited effort.

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• NV Vasse Felix Silver Knight 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  White tea, fresh white fruits, pears and some minerality thrown in for good measure. A quaffable effort.

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• NV Vasse Felix Shiraz Black Knight 84 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Tons of horse and leather with a dose of manure on the nose.This is like leather and spiced black fruits thrown in dung-filled champagne. This is not for the faint-hearted. Extremely unique wine that only Australia can make.

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A new winery that was recommended by my brother. He likes their sweet wines. Unfortunately , I only had time to taste a few of their offerings but I find their style a little too woody but it reflects their label.

• 2004 Driftwood Chardonnay 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Similar clean style with fresh white stonefruits.

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• 2007 Driftwood Chardonnay 78 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Nicely floral, some woodyness but still quite fresh with hints of white stonefruits. Very clean wine.

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• 2008 Driftwood Rosé 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Tomatoes and turkish delight atop sweet strawberries. A delectable wine.

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• NV Driftwood Oceania Tawny 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  (9/21/2009)

  Liquer soaked rish christmas cakes and dates pudding full of spices, spiced cherries and dried raisins.

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