A quick look at some WA wineries

[Luke W]

2 weeks in south western WA having a ball going from vineyard to vineyard meeting the locals and drinking some bloody good wine.

This was an informal visit to Mount Barker, Pemberton, Capel and Margaret River. I got to see about 25 vineyards and enjoyed meeting a multitude of personalities and tasting a couple of hundred wines. As I've just had the most part of a good red, I probably will tend to err in my estimations of some of these wines but I'll give it a shot.

The standouts - Cullen DM, Chardy and Mangan, Vasse Felix Cabernet, Shiraz and Heytesbury, Salitage Pemberton, Cape Grace Cabernet, Leeuwin Prelude Chardy (rather than the Art series), Pierro Chardy and Cabernet blend, any of the Brown Hill reds (extraordinary value), Howard Park Chardy.

Very good wines - Leeuwin AS Chardy, some of the Xanadu premiums, most of the Plantagenet reds, a couple of Clauirault premiums, much of the Redgate portfolio (particularly good value). Note - The LEAS Chardy is still a great wine and far be it for me to criticise it but I found the Prelude had more grunt and sometimes that's what I feel like

Unusual wines - Sparkling Riesling at Oranje Tractor and a couple of wild yeast rieslngs (and even a wooded one!) from other producers

Great personalities met at Oranje Tractor, Plantagenet, Leeuwin, Redgate and particularly Pierro.

Disappointments - not too fussed on Voyager Estate, Cape Mentelle (a previous favourite- particularly the Cabernet - but this year seems a bit thin) or McHenry Hohnen wines

Unable to get into Moss Wood as they're picking at the moment but I know the 01,03,05 and 07 cabernets from there are pretty unbelievable

Overall I was impressed with the quality of the Cabernets and Chardys and some of the Bordeaux blends but left a bit cold by the Cab merlot blends which I've found stunning in the past. It seems many of the wineries are avoiding cabernet franc which I think is a bit of a shame as I love it in some of their previous blends.

Most of the savvy blancs I found forgettable (but this could also happen for me in Marlboro), There were some lovely crisp classic white blends but once again not my scene. Most of the Shiraz's are cool climate and lack the depth and structure that I find with Barossa, Mclaren Vale, the Hunter and Coonawarra. More a food wine in MR - they use the word elegant a lot and some of them are, but some of them are just plain thin. I was even impressed with a pinot which surprised me because you wouldn't think a pinot noir could be successfully grown in MR, but the Pierro pinot is a nice drop and I'm told that the Moss Wood is also.

The people in WA are usually helpful and forthright about their wines and seem knowledgeable and open to ideas. Margaret River is a particularly good place to sample great wine and have a fabulous holiday in a stunning environment as well.

Cheers

Luke

[Malo-mad]

Thanks Luke. Great to see someone flying the flag for WA - what a trip! Beautiful scenery across the wide area you covered, eh.

For 20 yrs I've been telling people to visit WA - it's truly a world-class wine destination. And if you're a foodie, OMG there's some bloody superb meals to be had all over those regions.

Vasse Felix has an awesome - in the real sense of the word - portfolio. But there's so many heavy hitters to include alongside. Most of you would reel off the names of at least a dozen. It's a pity we don't get the national and international attention we deserve.

And WA craft beers are making their mark - Little Creatures PAle Ale was Champion beer three years in a row at the National beer show only to be knocked off the pedestal by Feral Brewery's Hop Hog. Both are based on the style of American IPAs.

[rens]

Hi Luke
Sounds like a nice get away. Although you were not impressed overall with Voyager, what were your impressions of the Cab Sav Merlot in particular? Also what vintage was it?
Rens

[miltonsufferer]

I too have just come back from Margaret River and felt that Voyager, while very impressive and imposing was a less interesting cellar door experience due to the wines being available everywhere and a bit of a production line tasting experience. They are all good quality obviously but I was more focused on finding wines that aren't available in Brisbane. Ended up buying some cellar door only Xanadu cabs, some Edwards Reserve cabernet and Marchand & Burch Burgundy.

The Voyager Cab Merlot on tasting was 2007. It was the first red I tasted that day and it really jumps out of the glass, a lot going on. A little over powering compared to something such as the Woodlands Margaret (09 and 10) which were my fav wines of the day. The Shelley Anne is gorgeous.

I also really enjoyed the 09 Ashbrook Chardonnay (not too buttery, not too acidic - Goldilocks Chardonnay for me). Their Cab Merlot is good too (07).

[rens]

The Voyager Cab Merlot on tasting was 2007. It was the first red I tasted that day and it really jumps out of the glass, a lot going on. A little over powering compared to something such as the Woodlands Margaret (09 and 10) which were my fav wines of the day. The Shelley Anne is gorgeous.

Thanks for your impressions. I have most of these in the cellar. I like the wines that have a little oomph like the voyager. I totally agree with the Shelley Anne. A fantastic wine I managed to get buy 2 get a third one free.

[Luke W]

Hi Luke
Sounds like a nice get away. Although you were not impressed overall with Voyager, what were your impressions of the Cab Sav Merlot in particular? Also what vintage was it?
Rens

Hi Rens

I quite liked the Cab merlot but was not overwhelmed by it. I'm not sure of the year but it was their latest release - maybe it hadn't come together yet. The venue however is quite overwhelming and as stunning an environment as you would see anywhere. The cellar door was a bit of an assembly line with loads of people and lots of demand on staff to supply their needs. I think when you walk into this environment you expect more in terms of wine quality with all their wines. The other problem is that if it is the 5th winery of the afternoon how tired are your taste buds? I can't imagine how difficult a task it must be for a wine judge to hang in there with their taste buds.....

cheers

Luke

[daz]

Most of the WA wineries wares are on the rather expensive side but some of the Barossans are in the same league especially for their premium wines viz Teusner and other, as are some Victorians, Tahbilk having ramped-up the price of the 1860s Vines Shiraz over the last five years. That's somewhat understandable I think, given the limited quantity fruit available to produce the wine..

[rednut]

I had a nice bottle of 2005 Howard Park Leeton shiraz last night. I bought it some years ago on a holiday to Margaret River.
Nice drop, not overly big compared to Barossa reds(my favs) but nonetheless a nice drop. Smooth, fruity with a good quantity of alcohol, 14.5 %.

[Waiters Friend]

G'day Luke

A shame you weren't impressed with Voyager. I think their chardonnay rivals the big guns at around half the price.

You mentioned going to Capel in your original post, but then did not mention Capel Vale. Did you get there? Impressions? For me, one of the most complete wineries in the southwest of WA in terms of their range and regionality. I've been going there for 20 years.

Salitage in Pemberton is a class act, but did you find any others?

Finally, it is a shame that you came through when I was in NSW! We could have exchanged views, with several glasses in front of us. Maybe next time.

Cheers

Allan

PS: Miltonsufferer mentions the Ashbrook chardonnay 09. Fabulous wine (esp for $28) and I had a bottle of 2010 a couple of nights ago and was even more impressed.

[Luke W]

Hi Allan

Didn't mind the Voyager chardy - possibly my favourite wine of theirs. Salitage is certainly a classy establishment and more reasonable prices than MR. Next time I'll give you more warning of my visit and you can tell me your favourite haunts. MR is such a great place for a holiday.
Only stopped at Capel Vale in Capel as I did that 15 years ago - wow has that place changed. Great wines - next time will spend an afternoon there.

Cheers

Luke