REVIEWS

JAMES HALLIDAY

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion

2010 Dark Horse

Merlot 2005 * * * * *
"Very good hue; merlot of the highest quality; a mix of cassis, blackcurrant and plum; perfect medium-bodied structure and balance; long finish." Score 95/100

Shiraz 2005
"Firm, clean blackberry with a touch of rasberry fruit; fine-grained tannins add to the long finish." Score 91/100

Riesling 2005 * * * *.5
"Pungently crisp and bright lime, lemon and apple flavours; a long, dry, finish." Score 91/100

Late Harvest Riesling 2004
"Aromatic and flowery; totally delicious and vibrant lime and passionfruit flavours; perfectly balanced residual sugar and acidity; classic Kabinett style." Score: 94/100

Riesling 2006
"A faint touch of reduction on the bouquet is followed by a crisp and firm palate, flavours of herb and mineral, finishing with lemony acidity; a pity about the bouquet." Score 89/100

Riesling 2004
"Spotlessly clean; delicate passionfruit and lime; crisp, clean, lingering finish." Score: 89/100

Riesling 2003
"Potent herb, nettle and mineral aromas; lime juice comes through on the palate; long finish." Score: 92/100

Marsanne 2006
"Very light-boded; quite crisp, with faint chalk and honeysuckle varietal character; may surprise with tone in bottle." Score 87/100

Marsanne 2005
"Fresh and unadorned; some honeysuckle plus gentle citrus tones; good balance." Score 88/100

Marsanne 2004
"Opens quiently enough, but runs through to a clean, lingering and persuasive finish." Score: 87/100

Marsanne 2003
"Very intense honeysuckle, spicy and musk aromas; good length and acidity." Score: 89/100

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
"A medium-bodied wine, with some of the structural characteristics of the Merlot, but altogether more savoury, and not quite enough sweet fruit on the mid-palate." Score 90/100

Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
"Elegant, light-to-medium bodied wine with gentle red fruits, and fine tannins and oak." Score 90/100

Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
"Medium-bodied; elegant and focused; blackcurrant fruits; silky, supple, and long." Score: 92/100

RAY JORDAN

Ray Jordan's Guide to Wine 2005/06

Riesling 2005: This is a wonderful example of how riesling can show restraint and finesse and still deliver a penetrating lingering palate. This is a beauty. It's all mineral and spice with a little citrus subtlety. Classy wine. Score 90/100

Marsanne 2005: Not much of this variety is grown over here. This one is not in the mould of the shy and reserved youngsters so typical of the variety. It's best to leave them until they grow up though as an apertif this is pretty good. 85/100

Cabernet Sauvignon 2003: A chunky and quite solid cabernet with lots of chocolate and coffee character threading through more dark berry and minty flavours. The palate has supple tannins and is soft and generous. Next few years will be best. 84/100

Ray Jordan's Guide to Wine 2004/05

Riesling 2004: "This has some nice floral and citrus notes above some interesting spicy mineral aromas. The palate is classically fine and lean with a very fine acid and nice crunchy mineral flavours. A nice wine. The 2003 is a slightly fuller style, but equally impressive." Score: 88/100

Marsanne 2004: "This has an interesting smoky bacon savoury character on the nose which sits with the fresher citrus and orange blossom characters. The palate is restrained but still carries nice fruit flavours. Fine lingering acid. Quite a complex character of wine." Score: 86/100

WINESTATE

Winestate Southern Western Australia Tasting Results 2010
5 Stars - 2008 Riesling
4 Stars - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
4 Stars - 2007 Shiraz
3.5 Stars - 2008 Cabernet Merlot
3.5 Stars - 2007 Merlot
3 Stars - 2009 Marsanne