Category Archives: Great Southern

2011 Howard Park Flint Rock Great Southern Shiraz

I’m enjoying Howard Park’s exploration of Shiraz in the Great Southern. Fruit for this comes from both the Mount Barker and Frankland River subregions. Oak is more lightly applied here than in the case of the 2011 Scotsdale and the … Continue reading

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2010 Howard Park Museum Release Great Southern Riesling

Important to get some aged releases of Great Southern Riesling into the market I think. While they can be wonderfully floral in their youth the somewhat stern and austere disposition that enables them to age may be challenging for certain … Continue reading

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2009 Alkoomi Jarrah Frankland River Shiraz

Two Great Southern Shiraz from the Frankland River subregion and the same vintage tasted together, single blind. This didn’t impress me as much. Sweeter, less depth, a more commercial feel. Glossy red over black fruits, aniseed and pepper. Not much … Continue reading

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2009 Larry Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz

Another compelling argument for Great Southern Shiraz, albeit more voluminous than the 2011 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz reviewed recently. Some reductive rubbery arse to begin with (which I actually enjoy) but it blows off quickly. Amazingly savoury considering its dark … Continue reading

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2010 Madfish Pinot Noir

Fruit is sourced from the Great Southern, Pemberton and the Margaret River. I must admit I’ve only ever enjoyed one Pinot Noir from any of those regions and that was made at Picardy. Early days for the Great Southern though … Continue reading

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2011 Madfish Premium Red

A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 7% Tempranillo, 3% Pinot Noir, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot sourced primarily from the Margaret River and the Great Southern regions And no, I did not successfully pick each of … Continue reading

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2012 Madfish Riesling

Very advanced for a two year-old Riesling. Not necessarily unpleasantly so but the aged characters in the picture are a little blunt…as you might expect. Marked toast and lanolin. Lime marmalade, baked green apples and Bickford’s Lime Cordial. A very … Continue reading

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2012 Marchand & Burch Porongurups Chardonnay

Sterling Chardonnay from the Porongurups subregion of the Great Southern. Deserves to be served in a big burgundy bowl and given time to breathe. Somewhat coy at first but eventually latent intensity and power come to the fore. Ginger spiced … Continue reading

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2011 Howard Park Scotsdale Great Southern Shiraz

I’ve always suspected that there’a a great deal of untapped potential when it comes to Shiraz in the Great Southern. This suave, sophisticated and downright handsome effort from Howard Park does nothing to dissuade me from that opinion. Savoury and … Continue reading

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2013 Alkoomi Frankland River Riesling

Very attractive now and a good bet for the cellar I’d imagine. A pretty nose of citrus blossom, lime and talc. Focused and precise but there’s quite enough intensity of flavour to accompany the slatey minerality. Bone dry to close … Continue reading

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