Trip Notes Margaret River Part I

[Irregular]

Margaret River
We're now entering expensive country. Spent a few days in MR, so copious notes, but somewhat repetitive. So may skip a few? Had some great cellar door experiences here and one shocker. So rather than finish on a low, will get the shocker out of the way. So, hence forth' Xanadu are OFF my buy list, in fact So annoyed with them, thinking of canning the entire Rathbone range completely, i.e. Yering Station and Langi.

Walked into Xanadu late afternoon and was treated with utter contempt. Really, you're in the business of selling wine? Could have fooled us. This was the worst CD experience we've ever encountered, period. The CD person was just plain rude. We walked out half way through the tasting. Don't go to Xanadu would be my advice. There, that's done, now for the better experiences.

Had a great session at one of my all time favourite wineries and made a couple of terrific new discoveries.

The best experience by far was at Moss Wood, who produce some brilliant stuff, and I think the winery I first discovered great Cabernet with the 1977 vintage, wish I still had a couple of those in the cellar, so yes, I’m biased! Anyway we'd arranged to visit and so glad we did, tried some barrel samples and the current releases. The two finished wines that just screamed quality were the 2010 Cabernet $90, stunning, and the 2011 Chardonnay $53. Having said how good the 2011 Chardonnay is, the 2012 is better.
I've never been a fan of the Moss Wood Pinot, but the barrel sample we tried was delicious, massive savory notes, juicy and succulent, it was fantastic. If they were to bottle just that barrel, it would be a definite buy.
But it was the 2010 Cabernet that stole the show, this is one of the best, loved it, better still, we were given the remainder of the bottle to take with us, so drank it slowly over dinner that night, yes, it got better in the glass.

Special mention also to Howard Park where we tried some excellent Burgundy, more later.

Discoveries and special mentions
Margaret River has so many 'tick the box' wineries, the ones we all know about, are good, and typically pricey. That's not a criticism, just a fact. So it’s always good to make new discoveries, and we did.
Heydon Estate

No idea how long these guys have been around, but as the old saying goes ... where have you been all my life? Some really nice booze here! That said, it aint cheap, pity.
2009 Chardonnay $50, this is delicious, what more needs to be said, great wine (I suppose it should be @ $50).
2007 WC Grace Cabernet $60. Wow, this is really big. Chock a block full on structure, massive wine and very good, cellar for a bit.
2009 The Sledge Shiraz $40. My partner reckons MR can’t do Shiraz, generalisation we realise (and we didn’t get to Cape Mentelle) but I tend to concur somewhat, good Shiraz’s here are few and far between. But this is the exception to the rule, it’s a stunning example, with a great nose, loads of rich berry/oaky aromas wafting out of the glass. It’s the best Shiraz we had in MR, decidedly opulent wine and in MR terms, well worth the $40 asked.

Windance
A small, family run operation, producing some very good wines.
2011 Reserve Chardonnay $32. A quality wine. Great flavour profile, with a brilliant finish, like it a lot.
We’re in Merlot country aren’t we? Here’s a good example. 2012 Merlot, $22. Quite well integrated and a fine example of the variety (there aren’t many great Merlots produced in Oz). This one’s drinking quite well now. Good value.
The 2010 Cab/Merlot $22 is similarly drinking nicely now, very good again.
2011 Shiraz $22. Bugger us, another lovely Shiraz! This one has fine soft tannins but should still age well. Great value. The 2010 Shiraz $40 is bigger than its older sibling, with loads of tannin, it’s a very good wine which will cellar.
There are a range of reserve wines here, we tried the 2008 Cabernet $40 and the 2008 Shiraz $28 and liked them both. They are both ready to drink having softened tannins and delicate integrated fruit. Lovely wines.

Brown Hill
Somewhat off the beaten MR track, but well worth a visit for the, dare I say it, Shiraz! The pick being 2010 Fimiston Reserve $25. It’s a big rich style which sees 70% new oak. Great value.
The 2011 Ivanhoe Reserve Cab $25 has tons of flavour with a fantastic structure, destined for a good journey this one. Likewise, the Croesus Reserve Merlot is another very good wine.
Try them, you’ll be impressed.

Special mention winery – Happs. Never tried any Happs wines before and their range is huge, and their prices cheap. Well worth a visit. Really liked the Three Hills 2010 Malbec $36 and the beautifully perfumed 2007 Petit Verdot $36.

And now the rest .....
Vasse Felix
2012 Chardonnay $29 can’t fault this, very good Chardy, has something of an acidic finish, but in a good sense, subtle oak. Like it.
2010 Cabernet (88%) $40, this is big! Surprisingly so. Give it at least a decade, destined to be a classic VF Cab.
2010 Heytesbury (Cab) $90 has Petit Verdot and Merlot in the blend. Wow, there’s lots going on with this little baby, a class act, and again needs heaps of time. Delicious.

Cape Grace
Two good ones here. 2008 Chardonnay $38 and 2011 Cab Shiraz $24. Both good wines with the Chary displaying lovely fruit and integrated oak. The blend’s drinking really well now, don’t bother cellaring.

Fermoy Estate
This has been a topsy tervy winery over the years – looks like they’re back on top!
Loved the 2010 Reserve Chardonnay $50 and the 2010 Estate at $30. The 2010 Reserve Cab $65 is a massive powerhouse of fine grained tannins. In time I think this will be a sensation wine. The 2011 Estate Cab $30 is built in a similar style to the reserve, albeit, not to the same degree, with marginally softer tannins, it finishes well. A very good wine.

Lenton Brae
Really enjoyed the 2010 Wilyabrup Chardonnay here $55, the highlight of their range. It’s a bit of a blockbuster style, hence will age very well and has the structure to ensure it won’t fall apart. A very good wine.

Did lots more in MR, hope to get notes up eventually.
Currently in Exmouth, where the weather this time of year is meant to be warm and sunny - it's pissing down! Not fussed though, swam with Whale Sharks yesterday, incredible, better than a great wine!

[TiggerK]

Off Topic, but for those who like round numbers, congrats on the 11,000th topic!!

(In Thailand ATM, missing wine.... far too pricey here... bottle of Moet NV at my hotel bar? AU $360. Yep, not a typo)

[Phil H]

Thanks for the notes, overall it sounds like a great trip. In relation to Xanadu, perhaps you should email them detailing your experience. I had a similar experience at a large Southern Highlands Winery. I am not one normally to complain, however I was so shocked on this persons customer service. I was pleased with the response, and now willing to revisit this winery.

[Irregular]

Thanks Phil. We did send an email off to them but they didn't bother to reply. In our minds this reinforced our view of their approach to customers.

[Mark Carrington]

A good read. Re Xanadu, you do have to wonder why some cellar doors/vineyards bother to receive visitors. I've been fortunate never to have been on the receiving end of a rude reception. In France, there can be the occasional indifference ( St Cosme (Gigondas) being an example a couple of weeks ago) but most are genuinely welcome & enthusiastic in promoting their wines. The Internet (& Google translate) is a big help in arranging appointments. Though one by appointment favourite Loire producer, has studiously ignored 3 e-mails. As they're by appointment only, we arranged a visit to their neighbours (Luneau-Papin), instead. Of course, the higher the status (cf. Boredeaux [sic]) the greater the chance of being faced with off-hand treatment.

[Matt]

Well I wouldnt bother with Xanadu now. Whats that saying...?

[Chuck]

Great notes.

Agree the Vasse Felix 2010 Cab is good. I thought it surprisingly approachable compared to previous vintages but still one for the cellar. Should develop well Wonderful MR fruit.

Windance wines aren't too shabby either.

Carl

[Polymer]

Oddly enough..I've generally had a good experience from the people at Xanadu..

I can definitely see how a bad person can put you off a wine or company....but unless they're a family member/owner/winemaker I try to give them more than one chance...