Trip notes Mount Barker/Denmark/Great Southern

[Irregular]

Apologies for typo and grammar, it's late, and limited power, so no time to check.

WA
Mount Barker/Denmark/Great Southern

West Cape Howl
Unfortunately I've lost my notes for these guys, but they are definitely worth looking out for, great range of old and new varietals. There's been a complete transformation with this winery since we last visited over 5 years ago. New owners, new winemakers, new winery (for them anyway, they now occupy the old Goundry winery). Try the Riesling, and the alternative varietals, you won’t be disappointed.

Plantagenet
Along with Howard Park, this was once the best winery in the region, and wines I've enjoyed for years, but they lost their way a bit somewhere along the journey.

The Omrah range is their entry level at around $18/bottle. Of those on offer, didn't mind the 2010 Shiraz as a drink now style, nothing great, but reasonable.

Of the Plantagenet wines, only one impressed, the 2010 Shiraz $45. It's a big, rich, powerhouse of a wine. Cellar for ages.

I'm not sure what they did with the 2010 Cab (I've loved their Cabs of old), but it was woeful, stinky.

Plantagent now have a new winemaker, so watch for future vintages, they should improve.

Galafrey
2008 Reserve Chardonnay $22 very nice, good oaky wine, lovely finish.
2012 Dry Land Riesling $20, loads of acid, but it has the fruit to carry it, a good cellaring proposition.
2004 Dry Grown Shiraz $26 great value this one. Love the spicy/savory notes here, plus the integration it's developed, nice wine.

Harewood Estate
Here we go, a WA Pinot I like! 2010 Reserve Pinot $45. This one's very good, in that savory style again, so more akin to Burgundy than Mornington for example. Pity about the price, but that's Pinot for you I guess.
Liked both the 2011 Shiraz $21 and 2009 Reserve Shiraz $34.

Estate 807
Loved another Pinot! 2010 Reserve Pinot $40 savory and spicy yet again, with good complex flavours, nice stuff.

Gilberts
Likes the 2009 3 Devils Shiraz $18, whilst not a spectacular wine, it offers good value.

[sjw_11]

Thanks for the notes Irregular, not enough people get across to the WA regions... including myself! I did once drive across the Nullabor but only got as far as Esperance before turning back (thats still a week long return trip from Adelaide!).