By Fergal Gleeson
Green Door Wines
2017 Rosé – The Flamenco
Green Door Vineyard & Winery is a small boutique vineyard & winery run by Ash and Kath Keeffe in the Ferguson Valley, 20 minutes east of Bunbury. Their vines produce fruit primarily from Spanish and Italian varietals. Ashley Keeffe uses traditional European winemaking techniques and minimal intervention to make wine true to its original flavour. Cellar door and café open 11:00am – 4:30pm Thursday to Sunday.
Winemaker’s notes:
The Flamenco Rosé is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre grapes. The grapes were crushed, left on skins for 3 days and basket pressed off to a stainless steel vat for stabilisation. The Flamenco is a French style dry rosé, pink in colour, with strawberries and cream on the nose. The 2017 Rosé has fresh raspberries and strawberries on the palate with a delicate mouth feel.
Harvey River Estate
Harvey River Estate Rosé 2017
The patriarch, Giuseppe Sorgiovanni, emigrated from Calabria in 1928 to Geographe and grew oranges. In 1999 inspired by his father’s love of wine, son Kevin developed Harvey River Estate. Talented winemaker Stuart Pierce came on board in 2005 after vintages in France, South Africa and Clare Valley. Stuart is a Jimmy Watson Trophy winner (Australia’s most prestigious wine award). A wide variety of wines are available under the Billy Goat Estate, Harvey River Estate and Grey Elk ranges reflecting different styles and price points. Cellar door open daily from 10am until 4pm.
Winemaker’s notes:
A pale pink blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Grenache. Clean fruit fragrance with vanilla bean and rhubarb. Dry balanced natural acid with delicate tannin structure frames this fruit driven Rosé.
Mandalay Road
Moscato 2018
Bernice and Tony O’Connell planted their vineyard in 1997 on a hilly, picturesque 40 hectare property. They envisaged a quiet, idyllic, holiday home which produced “a few grapes” for some experimental home winemaking. It was a part time venture initially with both still working full time in Perth. This quickly grew to ten acres, with initial planting of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Zinfandel later expanded to include Muscat, Durif and Riesling. They won the Best Cabernet Award at the Geographe & Alternatives Wine Show 2017. Cellar door open 11-5.30pm daily.
Winemaker’s notes:
A fruity wine, made from the Muscat a Petit Grains grape grown on our family vineyard at Glen Mervyn. Hand- picked ripe fruit has produced a wine exploding with the floral perfumes of Muscat and rosewater. The palate is fresh, sweet and grapey. To be enjoyed chilled. A ‘fun’ wine.
Mazza Wines
Bastardo Rosé 2016
David and Anne Mazza specialise in growing Spanish and Portuguese varieties near Donnybrook. They are wines for the adventurous drinker! They grow Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Graciano, Tinta Cão, Bastardo and Sousão (all with the exception of Tempranillo are very rare in Australia). Their range has received very favourable ratings from leading Australian critics James Halliday and Huon Hooke.
Winemaker’s notes:
We make a delicious dry, rosé from a Portuguese variety called Bastardo which is traditionally used to make Port. Very little Bastardo is planted in Australia and most of it goes into fortified wines. We believe this may be the only Australian Rosé made from Bastardo. Our Rosé stays in contact with the skins for 24 hours to attain its lovely salmon blush.
Millbrook Winery
2018 Regional Rosé
Millbrook Winery is a multi-award winning, boutique vineyard, farm, orchard, restaurant and winery. Chardonnay, Viognier, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nebbiolo are currently under vine in the 20-acre vineyard.
Winemaker’s notes:
Made from 100% Geographe Tempranillo, the 2018 vintage was both mild and early which allowed the fruit to ripen while maintaining a beautiful amount of natural acidity. The fruit was handpicked and pressed directly off to tank to ensure vibrancy of flavour was retained. Made in a dry, modern style with savoury notes complemented by bright, generous fruit. It’s pale blush pink in colour. The aromas are of fresh red berries with a hint of rose petal. This makes for a dry and balanced wine with crisp acidity, showcasing flavours of summer pudding, strawberry shortcake and Turkish delight. Best drunk over the next year, well chilled.
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