Western Australia Wine Case

Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon

Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon – Vibrant characteristic aromas of ripe black fruits and subtle spicy, toasty oak lead to a generous palate of juicy cassis, supple tannins and savoury overtones.

Vineyard

The Cabernet Sauvignon comes predominantly from the estate-grown Houghton clone, which provides a balance of fruit-driven flavours, impeccable structure and fine tannins. The vineyard’s ancient granite soils are amongst the oldest on the planet, with an abundance of ironstone gravel. These free-draining soils have low water and nutrient holding capacities, providing the optimum growing conditions to achieve balance between foliage and fruit, and superb aroma and flavour intensity. The Indian and Southern Oceans meet here, engulfing the vineyards with fresh, sea breezes, promoting natural balance in the grapes. The vineyard is managed sustainably with an
wealth of sustainable strategies, including cover crops, promotion of biodiversity, water management and sheep grazing to manage weeds.

Vintage

Average winter rainfall, and a warm, dry spring set up an early start to the season. Variable fruit set resulted in lower yields, which combined with the warm summer saw one of the earliest harvests ever. Warm conditions continued throughout March, with all the reds harvested by April. 2020 was an excellent vintage.

Winemaking

The fruit was crushed and destemmed then fermented in a combination of rotary and static fermenters at 26°C for five to seven days. A portion of the blend was left for a period of extended maceration on skins followed by a gentle pressing adding plushness and a savoury textural element to the wine. The various batches underwent malolactic conversion in a combination of tank and barrel before 14 months maturation in a selection French oak barriques (20% new).

Grape Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon 89%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Merlot 4%, Petit Verdot 2%

Producer Profile

To find out more about the winery, click here to go to the website
Xanadu is a true pioneer of the Margaret River region producing fresh and vibrant coastal wines. The estate was established by Dr John Lagan, an Irishman, who arrived in Margaret River in 1968. Captivated by the pioneering spirit of the region, along with his wife Eithne, he planted his first vines in 1977. Inspired by the beauty of the setting, they named the property after the mysterious, idyllic paradise in Samuel Coleridge’s poem, Kubla Khan: Xanadu. True to its poetic namesake, Xanadu is in an idyllic setting, where 65 hectares of vines flourish on the original estate. Passionate and dedicated winemaker Glenn Goodall joined in 1999, combining intuitive winemaking, and a deep respect for the sustainably cultivated vineyard- which is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia- he produces world-class wines of distinction. Glenn was awarded Halliday’s ‘Best Winemaker of the Year Australia 2023’ and in 2018 Xanadu won the Jimmy Watson memorial trophy.

To see our full range of Xanadu wines click here

Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon

Capel Vale Debut Malbec

Capel Vale Debut Malbec – Capel Vale’s Regional Series wines are elegant and graceful; high quality wines that reflect varietal and regional characteristics.
Debut wines are fresh, fruity, exuberant wines which remain true at all times to their varietal origins
TASTING NOTE
A soft and juicy expression of Malbec, this wine shows flavours of rich plums dark cherries with a hint of tobacco.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The 2020 vintage at Capel Vale Wines was a tremendous vintage resulting in lower yields with exceptional quality fruit and high flavour concentration.
VINIFICATION DETAILS
The fruit is handpicked and undergoes open top fermentation. Older French barriques are used and ageing takes place over 6 months

Capel Vale was the first winery in Western Australia to own and establish vineyards in the cool climate regions of Margaret River, Mount Barker and Geographe. As a result, Capel Vale now produces wines of definitive regional flavour and varietal expression with a focus on balance, complexity and elegant fruit flavours.

Capel Vale is a pioneer in WA with vines planted in 1974. The initial winery was built on the Stirling Estate in Capel in 1979 followed shortly thereafter with the first vintage made by Dr Peter Pratten in 1980.

The Capel River, adjacent to Capel Vale winery is home to many species of waterfowl, including the protected Sheldrake, or native Mountain Duck. When the Pratten family originally planted the vines in 1974, the Mountain Ducks constantly surrounded them, reminding them of their presence whilst they work.

The banks of the Capel River were deliberately untouched to allow the ducks to maintain their natural habitat and can still be seen today, squawking merrily along their way “symbolise what Capel Vale is all about”

You can find out more about this Western Australia winery by going to their website

You can see our full range of Capel Vale wines on our web page

Capel Vale Debut Malbec

Circa 77 Chardonnay

Circa 77 Chardonnay – A bright and refreshing coastal Chardonnay offering fresh pear, apple and grapefruit aromas layered with subtle oak. Delicately creamy with a deliciously zesty finish.

Vintage

A great summer led up to the vintage, although a rain event about a week before the start of harvest resulted in unusually humid conditions which required careful fruit selection in some vineyards. 2021 ended up being a more challenging season than usual, however the extra work in the vineyard ultimately paid dividends with some wonderfully elegant wines being produced as a result.

Vineyard

The Chardonnay vines were planted in 1977, hence the name Circa 77. The estate vines are the Gingin clone, known for its small bunches and its ‘hen and chicken’ (millerandage) berries that produce fruit of intense concentration with high, natural acidity. The vines flourish in Margaret River’s renowned ancient granite soils, which have an abundance of ironstone gravel. These free-draining soils have low water and nutrient holding capacities, providing the optimum growing conditions to achieve balance between foliage and fruit, and deliver superb aroma and flavour intensity. The Indian and Southern Oceans meet here, engulfing the vineyards with fresh, sea breezes, promoting natural balance. The vineyard is managed sustainably with an aim of continual improvement of the natural environment focussing on soil and vine health, including biodiversity and weed management from sheep grazing.

Winemaking

The fruit was pressed without crushing, retaining a proportion of solids in the juice after settling for 48 hours. 65% of the blend was wild yeast fermented in seasoned French oak barriques (only 6% new). 35% of the blend was tank fermented using a selected aromatic yeast. The lees were integrated throughout the wine in tank before being transferred into old oak for maturation. All batches received bâtonnage, which imparted texture throughout the nine-month maturation period.

Producer Profile

To find out more about the winery, click here to go to the website
Xanadu is a true pioneer of the Margaret River region producing fresh and vibrant coastal wines. The estate was established by Dr John Lagan, an Irishman, who arrived in Margaret River in 1968. Captivated by the pioneering spirit of the region, along with his wife Eithne, he planted his first vines in 1977. Inspired by the beauty of the setting, they named the property after the mysterious, idyllic paradise in Samuel Coleridge’s poem, Kubla Khan: Xanadu. True to its poetic namesake, Xanadu is in an idyllic setting, where 65 hectares of vines flourish on the original estate. Passionate and dedicated winemaker Glenn Goodall joined in 1999, combining intuitive winemaking, and a deep respect for the sustainably cultivated vineyard- which is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia- he produces world-class wines of distinction. Glenn was awarded Halliday’s ‘Best Winemaker of the Year Australia 2023’ and in 2018 Xanadu won the Jimmy Watson memorial trophy.

To see our full range of Xanadu wines click here

Circa 77 Chardonnay

Debut Sauvignon Blanc Semillon by Capel Vale

Debut Sauvignon Blanc Semillon by Capel Vale – Capel Vale’s Regional Series wines are elegant and graceful; high quality wines that reflect varietal and regional characteristics.
Debut wines are fresh, fruity, exuberant wines which remain true at all times to their varietal origins

This classic blend finds true expression in the cool South Western Australian climate. Clean, ripe, racy nose with lime sorbet and white flowers. Beautifully balanced, layered with citrus fruits and herbaceous
notes and a long crisp finish. Perfect with Mediterranean chicken or fish dishes and drinking in the sun. A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30%
Semillon.

Capel Vale was the first winery in Western Australia to own and establish vineyards in the cool climate regions of Margaret River, Mount Barker and Geographe. As a result, Capel Vale now produces wines of definitive regional flavour and varietal expression with a focus on balance, complexity and elegant fruit flavours.

Capel Vale is a pioneer in WA with vines planted in 1974. The initial winery was built on the Stirling Estate in Capel in 1979 followed shortly thereafter with the first vintage made by Dr Peter Pratten in 1980.

The Capel River, adjacent to Capel Vale winery is home to many species of waterfowl, including the protected Sheldrake, or native Mountain Duck. When the Pratten family originally planted the vines in 1974, the Mountain Ducks constantly surrounded them, reminding them of their presence whilst they work.

The banks of the Capel River were deliberately untouched to allow the ducks to maintain their natural habitat and can still be seen today, squawking merrily along their way “symbolise what Capel Vale is all about.

You can find out more about this Western Australia winery by going to their website

You can see our full range of Capel Vale wines on our web page

Debut Sauvignon Blanc Semillon by Capel Vale

Debut Cabernet Merlot by Capel Vale

Debut Cabernet Merlot – Capel Vale’s Regional Series wines are elegant and graceful; high quality wines that reflect varietal and regional characteristics.
Debut wines are fresh, fruity, exuberant wines which remain true at all times to their varietal origins

TASTING NOTE

This ready to drink, benchmark blend Debut Cabernet Merlot, presents optimal fruit characteristics from our Margaret River vineyard on Miamup Road. Abundant flavours of cassis, spice and ripe plum. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot.

VINIFICATION DETAILS

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot fruit were crushed and fermented in stainless vats before being pressed to French oak barriques to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was left in oak for 10 months and then blended together before fining and filtration prior to bottling.

Capel Vale was the first winery in Western Australia to own and establish vineyards in the cool climate regions of Margaret River, Mount Barker and Geographe. As a result, Capel Vale now produces wines of definitive regional flavour and varietal expression with a focus on balance, complexity and elegant fruit flavours.

Capel Vale is a pioneer in WA with vines planted in 1974. The initial winery was built on the Stirling Estate in Capel in 1979 followed shortly thereafter with the first vintage made by Dr Peter Pratten in 1980.

The Capel River, adjacent to Capel Vale winery is home to many species of waterfowl, including the protected Sheldrake, or native Mountain Duck. When the Pratten family originally planted the vines in 1974, the Mountain Ducks constantly surrounded them, reminding them of their presence whilst they work.

The banks of the Capel River were deliberately untouched to allow the ducks to maintain their natural habitat and can still be seen today, squawking merrily along their way “symbolise what Capel Vale is all about”

You can find out more about this Western Australia winery by going to their website

You can see our full range of Capel Vale wines on our web page

Debut Cabernet Merlot by Capel Vale 

Three Lions Great Southern Pinot Noir

Three Lions Great Southern Pinot Noir – this wine is deep ruby red in colour. On the nose, there are lifted aromas of red cherry, with fresh rose and a savoury complexity that leads into a vibrant palate bursting with bramble fruits and toasty oak. Fine, elegant tannins with balanced acidity on the finish.

Food Pairing

If in the mood for something classic, pair with lamb…if in the mood for something different, try with crispy duck pancakes or roast beetroot.  Gruyere is a classic cheese match.

Producer

The Plantagenet range of wines is named in honour of a family, branch, or region from the Plantagenet Royal House, which ruled England and France from the 12th to 15th century.

For more information on the Plantagenet winery go to their website.

Located in the Mount Barker township (part of the Shire of Plantagenet), Plantagenet was the first winery in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The area is famous for its
premium quality and cool-climate wine production. Its proximity to the Southern Ocean ensures the slow ripening of the grapes, which enhances fruit composition and aromatic qualities.
Plantagenet’s five vineyards of 126 hectares are located south and west of Mount Barker, planted on gravelly loam soils over a clay, sand and ironstone rock base.

To see and buy our full range of Plantagenet wines go to our website page

The Plantagenet Winery was originally named after the name of the Shire in which their Mount Barker vineyard assets reside – Plantagenet. Early English settlers, who favoured royalist titles, named the Plantagenet Shire.
The Plantagenets were the English royal house which reigned from 1154 to 1399 (Henry 2nd to Richard 2nd), the name coming from the nickname of Henry’s father, Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, who habitually wore a sprig of broom – L. planta genista.

Three Lions wines are made by the Plantagenet winery in the Shire of Plantagenet, Western Australia. The name Plantagenet was given to the Shire by early English settlers and was adopted by the winery when it was established in 1974. Their founder, Tom Smith, could trace his lineage back to the Plantagenet dynasty in the Middle Ages. The arms of the Plantagenet dynasty were three lions passant guardant, termed colloquially “the arms of England”. They were first adopted by King Richard the Lionheart (reigned 1189–1199), son of King Henry II of England (reigned 1154–1189), and grandson of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou. The label and name of the winery nod to this history.

The Plantagenet winery owns 126 hectares of vineyards in the Great Southern wine region. All their wines are made from estate fruit, so it makes sense that they should introduce this label, with a link to the name Plantagenet, to showcase this fruit.

Three Lions Pinot Noir is a great Western Australian wine