Faber Vineyard, Swan Valley WA

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I had the opportunity to taste the range of Faber Vineyard's wines today, in a setting that we don't usually get to see them - with food. Faber does not usually offer food, but in a limited deal, we were able to taste the wines over a couple of hours while enjoying a well-composed platter with accompanying salads. This is a good move, and showed the wines in a relaxed and positive manner.

It also allowed us to discuss the vineyard and the wines themselves with winemaker and owner John Griffiths. Faber sources fruit from the Swan Valley and other locations, and these are generally identified on the labels. The home vineyard was planted from 1998.

2010 Chardonnay Blanc De Blanc: A dry style, with tart lemon and a supportive aldehyde / custard apple character (and better for it). Swan Valley fruit, and a good food wine.

2012 Swan Verdelho: Pineapple and kiwi fruit, and a little fuller and richer than other Verdelhos I have tasted recently.

2012 Dwellingup Semillon: Lemon and lemon blossom. A slightly creamy texture due to moderate older oak influence. Finishes with cleansing acidity.

2010 Dwellingup Chardonnay: Lemon pith and a slight sherbet tang, with supporting spicy oak.

2009 El Sol Semillon (375ml): This is a clean late picked style rather than a 'sticky'. Like the dry semillon, lemon is the mainstay. It is only moderately sweet, and the acid partially offsets the sweetness.

2011 Riche Shiraz: Swan Valley fruit. As the name suggests, and despite its youth, this is a quite rich wine. Oak is supportive but noticeable and the wine has plum and milk chocolate characters as well as some alcoholic warmth. Good now, but I suggest this will get better over the next couple of years. There is also a reserve shiraz (sold out).

2011 Petit Verdot: Swan Valley fruit. Blueberry and firm tannins fill out quite a big wine.

2011 Dwellingup Malbec. This is not the big full-blooded Malbec you might expect. Medium red and translucent, with moderate tannins, it is the red berry fruit lift that is the most noticeable feature of this wine.

2010 Frankland Cabernet Sauvignon: This currently shows quite noticable acid and some astringency, but with a solid core of raspberry fruit running through it. I suspect this will get better in a couple of years.

Swan Valley Liqueur Muscat: A rich toffee colour, with a full nose of honey and raisins. The raisins flood the palate with a luscious, slippery viscosity. Delightful.

Obviously there are some wines I like more than others, and it was the Riche Shiraz and the Liqueur Muscat which jumped into the car boot. However, it was good to see the entire portfolio with food and it is apparent that each wine has its place and reason for being there. A well rounded set of wines that would satisfy most requirements.

Cheers

Allan

[Stavros]

Allan,

You should get along to their regular events held every 6 to 8 weeks ( different themes), John had one on Saturday night,
the Xmas BBQ and for $50ph, you get the BBQ ++ and a crack at many of his portfolio. Unfortunately i missed out as i have
another Wino' gig with mates.

Well worth getting on his mailing list.

Cheers

S

[Matt]

a few in the current Sterling Auction if anyone is interested - closes tomorrow (and no they are not mine).

[Matt]

I snagged 2 of the 2007 Riche - will report back.