Review - The Wine Front (Oct 2024)
“It’s perhaps not the most well regarded vintage in Margaret River, though I’ve really liked many of the wines from 2021.  There’s a certain restraint and finesse about them, where vinous character trumps some of the more ebullient fruit vintages.  I’m hoping this introduction makes me seem kind of intelligent, though that’s something of a big ask.  Mark Gifford sent a 2016 in with this wine, because he said it was the most similar in style.  Well, the vines are older now, and I reckon this is better, and shows an evolution in style, with quality of tannin in this 2021 being something of a highlight.  I don’t know much about the wine, the cépage, or the oak treatment, though I do believe no ‘reserve’ wines were made this year, so this contains the whole shootin’ match.
 
It’s a more quiet expression of Allouran, pencils and subtle earthiness, tobacco and perfume, blue and black fruit, some light spicy and nutty oak in play, a little mint, menthol and green herb.  It’s medium-bodied, savoury but with brightness and energy, tannin has something of a graphite grip, and the wine feels very composed and comfortable in its skin, and finishes long, red-fruited, cocoa-dusted and fresh.  Sophisticated.  Claret-like.  You can buy this with confidence, and just quietly, I reckon it’s one of the better and more interesting vintages of this wine.” 94 points. Gary Walsh, Oct 2024