Wine Review

 

Robert Parker and Jay Miller's Australia Report 2007

2007 Cossack Riesling, 86 points
2005 Estate Shiraz, 87 points
2005 King Malbec, 91 points
2005 Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon, 89 points
2005 Dragon Shiraz, 90 points

David Rosengarten's TASTINGS

Another Frankland River producer that flipped me out was Ferngrove Vineyards Estate. Aromas in general, among the whites, are very pronounced at Ferngrove...I like the reds as a group very much...juicy , but restrained...exuberant, but very European. 
David Rosengarten, September 20 2007.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2005 Cossack Riesling, 87 points
2004 Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon, 88 points
2004 King Malbec, 91 points
2003 The Stirlings, 92 points
2004 Dragon Shiraz, 89 points
www.erobertparker.com, Issue 168

Producer of the Year

Producer of the Year: Ferngrove Vineyards Estate. Talk about the middle of nowhere- this place really is! The Ferngrove winery and vineyards are in Western Australia, 260 kilometers south of Perth, in the tiny Frankland River region, tucked into a landscape of gravely clay soil and eucalyptus trees where flocks of wild cockatoos screech in the trees. It's a young winery- the first crush was in 2000, and winemaker Kim Horton is coming up to his fifth vintage- but it has been racking up a stunning number of awards: Best Winery in Western Australia 2006; Best Young Winemaker; Best Wine in Show (Cabernet "Majestic"), etc. Among the Ferngrove wines I love are the clean, fresh 2006 Chardonnay, the plump and juicy 2004 Shiraz, the gorgeous 2005 "Majestic" Cabernet Sauvignon, and the powerful 2005 "Stirlings" Shiraz/Cab. I also love the reasonable prices (most Ferngrove selections range from $12 to $40). Only a bloody drongo (Aussiespeak for "really stupid person") would fail to seek these wines out.
Marguerite Thomas, WRO Wines and Wine Producers of the Year, 2006.
www.winereviewonline.com

2006 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Light straw. Pungent grapefruit and pear on the nose, with complicating notes of mint and cut grass. Nervy citrus flavors are brisk, clean and modestly concentrated, with good tangy lift on the back. Juicy orange and apple notes build on the energetic finish. The sauvignon blanc component is quite prominent today. 87 points.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, July/August 2007.

Bronze- 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

2006 Shiraz Viognier

Gold- 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

2006 Chardonnay

Pale yellow. Ripe pear and tangerine aromas are brightened by dusty minerals and citrus zest. Light-bodied orchard and pit fruit flavors display good depth and precision, finishing on a gentle note of floral honey. An easygoing, fresh chardonnay with no excess fat or oakiness. 87 points.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, July/August 2007.

Bronze- 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition


2005 Shiraz

Deep ruby. Spicy cherry, cassis and blueberry aromas are brightened by white pepper and violet, with a suave vanilla note adding complexity. Sweet dark berry flavours offer good precision and energy, with an exotic orange peel note adding vibrancy to the finish. Closes with a zesty, youthful berry skin character and very good persistence. 88 points.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Challenge, July/August 2007.

2004 Shiraz

Bronze- 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

The black cherry and licorice flavours hold their freshness in this wine, surrounded by green peppercorn spice and tinged with strawberry scents. It's clean and simple, with a ready appeal for lamb chops.
Wine & Spirits, June 2006.

Silver- 2006 San Francisco Wine Competition


2006 Cossack Riesling

91 Points- Editors Choice- Wine Enthusiast Riesling Review
Publication due August 2007.

2005 Dragon Shiraz

Deep ruby. Ripe dark berry and kirsch aromas are complemented by zesty cracked pepper and exotic flowers. Deep and sweet, with suave blackberry and plum compote flavors and a sweet vanillin character. Supple tannins gain firmness on the persistent, spicy finish. Very nicely balanced shiraz. 90
Stephen Tanzer
Internationl Wine Challenge, July/August 2008

2004 Dragon Shiraz

An exotic succulence develops in this wine as the fruit tannins take on air. The red berry and cherry fruit grows luscious, holding an edge of coriander and balck pepper. It's smooth and delicious. 92/100
Wine & Spirits, June 2006

2005 Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark red. Vivid cassis and cherry aromas are complicated by underbrush, cigar box and pungent herbs. Medium in body, offering youthfully taut cherry and dark berry flavors, with subtle oak spice building with air. Finishes a bit youthfully hard-edged. Give this some decanter time. 88 (+?).
Stephen Tanzer
Internationl Wine Challenge, July/August 2008
 

2005 King Malbec

Bright ruby. Plummy dark fruits on the nose, with licorice and dark chocolate nuances adding complexity. A soft, round wine with sweet cherry and blackberry flavors and invisible tannins. Finishes sweet, with good cling... 87
Stephen Tanzer
Internationl Wine Challenge, July/August 2008


2003 The Stirlings
Deep red. Spicy blackcurrant and kirsch aromas, with deeper mocha and licorice notes emerging with air. Solidly built but not hard, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and spicy herbal qualities. Gentle tannins frame a long, sweet finish, which leaves gentle vanillin oak in its wake. 90
Stephen Tanzer
Internationl Wine Challenge, July/August 2008