The Auswine Forum

Not our esteemed host, but a melbourne-wine retailer advertising some margaret river reds from 2001:

"Â…stylishÂ….composed and assured."
Campbell Mattinson - Winefront Monthly - August/September 2002

Given that Campbells tasting notes are usually ... well, quite wordy ... does anyone else seriously start to wonder what the rest of a tasting note said when a retailer only shows four words like this?

Hi Doowop,

I believe I am the retailer in question so thought I best respond. I actually sourced the tasting notes from the Alexandra Bridge website and I'm afraid they were the only 4 words they took from the review, hence that is why it is a partial quote. I too was curious about the rest of review, and as those that know me would attest to, I am incredibly anal and normally keep very good records, however, I searched high and low and just could not find my September 2002 copy of Winefront Monthly.

Given you too are a Winefront Monthly subscriber Doowop, feel free to email me the review and I shall upload the missing words.

Cheers,

Jacinta

Jacinta, as coincidence would have it, I used to run the winery and I'm the one who summarised the reviews on the site at the time.

Yes, Campbell does make long comments in his notes and it's often not practical to quote word-for-word in mail-outs or websites.

I haven't seen your advertising material but I'm sure you could also have used the many reviews this wine earned during that period Aug - Dec 02. They're listed on the AB site from the likes of Oliver, Halliday, Max Allen and Jeni Port, plus WA locals Ray Jordan, David Pike and the late Bill Thompson. Plus medals including gold. I see the site is not kept up to date these days so perhaps there are more accolades out there.

Bear in mind these are old reviews, but I can say that I'm still enjoying this wine.

I don't have the Sept02 WFM to provide for you. He also featured AB in his 'red hot wines' column in AGT Wine mag in Dec 02.

cheers, brad

Hi Brad,

Yes, I did use the many other reviews and accolades - WFM's edited review was among the many unedited reviews that were on our newsletter.

I don't think they'e updated the website since you left!

Cheers

Jacinta

Leave Jacinta alone - she does a top job.

The full review was:

Alexandra Bridge Margaret River Shiraz 2001 ($25): Not overly complex with easy – though stylish – redcurrant and coffee aromas/flavours on a medium weight palate that carries some sweetness, a swingingly bright, fruity finish, and completely unobtrusive, soft tannins. Composed and assured. Drink: Now-2005. 88 points.