So, what was hot? (I’m not going to be negative and describe what was not).
The layout of the exhibitors was in a sort of alphabetical structure. So, of course, we started with 3 Drops from Mount Barker, who offered a creditable 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($22), a better 2007 oaked Chardonnay($24), and a Bordeaux blend 2005 ($22). All good value.
Arlewood make an interesting Marsanne Roussanne blend (2008) @ $20. McHenry Hohnen (who also exhibited) do a Marsanne Chardonnay Roussanne around the same price. Arlewood also do a fully ‘worked’ Semillon Sauvignon Blanc that is bordering on Chardonnay in texture.
I’ve not been a fan of Clairault wines since Ian and Anii Lewis stopped making their flagship red (The Clairault) and then sold out of the winery, and I was prepared to be unimpressed by their offerings. However, I have to say their 2005 Reserve Cabernet is worth the $45 asking price.
Ferngrove Estate is a Frankland River producer. I have had a soft spot for their Cossack Riesling for some time, and the current 2008 didn’t disappoint ($22). Lovely floral notes and mouthwatering feel (acidity?) without the citrus notes from South Australia.
For those that want a moderately savoury and food-friendly rose`, try the Fonty’s Pool 2008. Based on (I think) shiraz and merlot, it’s a goer in the short term.
I have never tried Higher Plane (Margaret River) wines before, but had heard good things, and can recommend the ‘upper crust’ of their range. Their 2004 Cabernet and 2007 Chardonnay are worthy wines for their $34 price tag, and you could do a lot worse. The Cabernet is showing some maturity and shows balance and a touch of complexity in the normal Margaret River way. The Chardonnay is a well-worked example, with cashew, savoury notes and refined oak and is definitely my preference in the chardonnay spectrum.
Pepperlilly Estate in the Ferguson Valley (don’t knock it, an up and coming wine region, and one that I’ve considered getting into myself) surprisingly make a good Grenache~! Very spicy, but probably not an ageing prospect.
You can’t fault Voyager Estate. They had two vintages of a couple of their whites, just to show off the difference a year makes, and their chardonnay and cabernet merlot are still ‘on song’.
If you work from A to Z, I’ve left a couple out along the way, however, the wineries I’ve mentioned earned their place on the night.
And the standout? Fraser Gallop Wines. Their new release Chardonnay was our wine of the night, and their 2005 Cabernet was bloody good, too. Don’t go looking for them, though – they have a very small production, and I am about to buy them out
