Mount Majura

[Cellar Rat]

Mount Majura Chardonnay 2002 ($20 CD): Cork, 13.5% alc/vol. 60/40 blend of young/old vines. Former planted in 1999 and latter in 1988. 45% was new (mostly Sirugue, but some Saury and Dargaud et Jaegle) and 35% was two year old, the balance old and neutral. All are barriques from Allier forest oak. 100% barrel fermentation with cultured yeasts produces exceptional wood integration/balance. 25% malo. Grilled nuts, peachy and round but also delicate and refined with good acid spine. Extremely enjoyable cool climate chard at a bargain basement price. Opens up even more with a few hours breathing - Yumm. Should improve even more over 1 - 2 years. Great "house" chard at a bargain price. 92/100

Mount Majura Chardonnay 2003 (pre-release sample): Screwcap. Tightly coiled and focussed. Pineapple flora and delicate oak on nose. Palate is long and citrusy with a delicate balanced mid-palate. Needs another 6 months to settle. On day 2 it was more rounded, balanced and long with good acid spine. A very good effort from a hot year. 0% malo. Similar wood combo to 2002 chard but with decreasing use of Sirugue and increasing use Saury. 88/100 (probably higher in 12 months).

Mount Majura Cab Franc/Merlot/Cab Sav 2000 ($17 CD) (55/31/14 % blend): Cork, 12.9% alc/vol. Francois Freres, Billon and Sirugue oak (30% new), all seamlessly integrated. Spice, small berries and tobacco. Fine grained tannins. Drinking beautifully and at its peak. Yumm. Extraordinary value at this price point. 91/100

Mount Majura Cab Franc/Merlot/Cab Sav 2001 (pre-release sample): Cork, 13.9% alc/vol. Wow, this is impressive. Rich and full with the full symphony complexity and depth of palate. Chocolate, spice and small berries to the fore. Lovely balance and integrated spicy oak. Super fine grained tannins. Great stuff 93/100 (probably higher in 2005 & 2006).

Mount Majura Shiraz 2002 ($25 CD - first release): Cork 13.6% alc/vol. 30% new oak. Cool climate shiraz (no viognier). Subtle pepper & spice on nose. Excellent palate structure and weight with deftly integrated wood. Liquorice and touch of complexing VA. Fine grained tannins. Will complex a bit more with time and should peak around 2006. 91/100

Mount Majura Tempranillo 2003 ($25 CD - first release): Cork. All old wood. Nice cool-climate expression of this lesser known variety. Mainly fruit driven with medium grain tannins. Would be even better with a small % of new oak (planned for future, I'm told). Needs food. 90/100.

Excellent cool climate winemaking for the entire range (only my personal favourites chosen for above TNs). I was given a taste of the 2004 barrels by Frank last week and all look very impressive (Merlot particularly). A new air-conditioned winery is being built at the vineyard site in 2005, which will allow barrel fermenting of reds and wild yeast ferments of whites. Very impressive boutique and one to watch in future. A rising star for Canberra district. Exceptional value for money at this time.