A startling purity of cassis, sage and black olive stream across the organoleptics. The sheer tenacity of flavour manifests as a resounding intensity and compelling length as the wine expands across the mouth, corralled by jewellery tannins. This is a regal wine; imperious, even; reflecting a bonsai-like vineyard, tightly planted and impeccably tended. A wine of naturally abstemious yields, a moreish alcohol level and a firm sense of place. Gravitas and weightlessness. The future? Very bright.
98 points, Wine Companion (February 2019)
Deep red colour with a good purple tinge. The bouquet shows elegant cassis, violet and freshly-crushed herb cabernet fruit neatly entwined with stylish oak. There's a suggestion of slightly green malbec. It's medium to full-bodied and quite elegant, with good length and soft, drying, powdery tannins to finish. It ends with an enduring touch of tannin chew, and promises to reward cellaring.
93 points, The Real Review (May 2019)
Supple, fine feeling wine, soft in texture, lightly cinched with tannins, dark berry fruits, touches of black olive and briar. It drives well, a touch diffuse mid palate but the finish tightens up and there’s incredibly good texture through and through. Such a pleasing wine here.
93 points, The Wine Front (October 2018)
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is Western Australia’s most prestigious wine-growing region. Serious vineyard development began only in the late 1960’s following the publication of a report by John Gladstones in 1965 stating that the area had a similar climate to Pomerol or St Emilion, with low frost risk, plenty of sunshine and equable temperatures within the growing season promoting even ripening. Margaret River’s climate is warm and maritime, with some cooling influence provided by southeast trade winds. The soils derive from granitic and a gneissic rock over which laterite has formed. The region can be divided in three sub-regions: the cooler south between Yallingup and Karridale with predominantly lateritic gravelly loamy sands and sandy loams; the warm and sunnier Willyabrup in the centre with predominantly gravelly loams, but some gritty sandy loams and granitic gravels; and Margaret River in the north with similar soils, but slightly cooler temperatures. This is entirely consistent with style; the wines from Willyabrup being more generous than the highly structured wines of the north and the elegant styles of the south. Margaret River is best known for high quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends and top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Over the years, the region has established an astonishing reputation illustrating a consistency in quality and a strongly focused winemaking culture.
