Category: Western Australia

Mr Whirly says:

“ This wine is made from the pure and sensitive Pinot Noir grape and left on the skins for a very short time so as to create this very pale salmon grey-pink wine. A delight this summer.  A very pale rose style with just a hint of onion skin colour. The aroma’s are subtle cherry with some spiciness while the palate has a fine delicacy and subtle flavours. It’s a drier style of rose, more in the European mould.”

Winemaker tasting notes:

“ On a cold March morning, Pinot Noir grapes were picked and pressed as a white wine. This wine is delicate, tantalising and clearly a rose. Fine pink blush with cream and strawberry bouquet, subtle strawberry on the palate with slight acidity.”

Price: Sold out

Alcohol: 12.0%

Mr Whirly says:

“ More like a Sancerre Chavignol or Pouilly Fume than a Sauvignon from “down under” I think? Is this good? Yes, I believe it is fantastic to have something more classical in its makeup, more steely and dry yet with some down under freshness and creativity”

Winemakers tasting notes:

“Clean and beautifully pure impression strikes from the first sniff into the glass. There are some nice lemon scents with a pleasant mix of tropical fruits and gooseberry. The palate is light bodied but with excellent flavours sustained with a vibrant fresh acidity.”

Ray Jordan, Western Australia wine writer:

“ In 2006 Mountford wines was the first winery in the Pemberton region to gain organic  certification status with WASAA, the internationally recognised accreditation body. The vineyard is now well established and this is starting to be reflected in the intensity and complexity of the fruit. The grapes are handled in traditional and innovative ways with the emphasis on simplicity and care.”

Price: Sold out

Alcohol: 12.0%

Mr Whirly says:

“ With the addition of 45% Sauvignon, more than normal in this famous WA blend, the wine is given an added boost and freshness that make it far more approachable and adaptable to different styles of food.  Fresh cut grass with hints of green Capsicum.”

This is my first Western Australian blended white wine and I have chosen the classic white wine blend that has made this region famous.

Winemaker’s tasting notes:

“ Margaret river has rightly become known as the prominent region for this blend. The two varieties combined offer a layered, fresh and balanced wine that is a pleasure to partake in. Harvested on the 10th March 2009. Old, dry grown vines produce lovely aroma’s of passion fruit, a hint of citrus and some underlying savoury nuances of green beans and fresh mown hay.”

Alc vol: 13.5%

Mr whirly says:

“ This is possibly one of the best Merlots I have ever tasted! And yes, Mr Whirly, that is quite a statement, but you know what, I believe it ! Quite beautiful fruit, wonderful mouthfeel, very Autumnal, blackberries and wild hedgerow berries. I tasted this in early November 2011 down at “The Gurnards Head” in Cornwall, a great place to get away by the way, with owner Charles Inkin, and I think I can say safely it blew him into the Atlantic ocean a few yards away. He then tasted it with some discerning Aussies who were having lunch and they rated it the best of that varietal from their homeland!”

Winemaker’s tasting notes:

“  A great Margaret river Merlot! Full of rich berries, spice and Chocolate. So much more than many expect from this variety. Lovely integrated oak, adds to the considerable length and depth of flavour. Harvested 27th April 2006 ( that’s pretty late by the way). Harvested from old, dry grown vines. A Merlot with considerable body and the benefit of ageing to soften off tannins and gain additional complexity.  Basket pressing has contributed to a round, soft mouth feel.

Alc vol: 15.5%

Mr Whirly says:

“The 1998 has sadly sold out and I was depressed for a week! Then I eventually grew the courage to taste the new 1999 vintage and I was over the moon.  The next vintage, ( sadly 2000 was not a good year, pity since this is the year I first visited this lovely wine country) 2001, I think follows the 1998 a little more. That was an epic vintage, never to be re-produced possibly. This vintage, more mineral full than the 1999, with hints of sloes, plums and spearmint. This wine is unfiltered so would benefit from being decanted. Enjoy with butter-flied leg of lamb marinated with garlic, rosemary and salt and loads of good virgin olive and slam it on the Barbeque or  in the oven! “

Its February 2014 and I have just tasted a bottle of this wine and it rocks! Absolutely fantastic and such wonderful value. Try getting a top of the range left bank wine for under £20?

Alcohol: 13.5%

Riesling 2005

Mr Whirly says:

“This is a big, citrus and lime Riesling, very different from a Clare valley Riesling (just north of the Barossa and a thoroughly beautiful place) and to be honest it’s a pretty serious wine. It’s unusual to have a Riesling from Margaret River and as usual the Willespie Family have come up trumps!”

Alcohol: 13.5%

Mr Whirly says:

“A fine example of cool climate Semillon from Australia, so different from its better known relatives in the Hunter Valley. This wine is stored in French Oak for a short time and needs a little air before pouring. Like the Verdelho it is a very “mineral forward” wine, with a gooseberry pie nose and palate and an amazing smoky bitter finish with hints of Green Capsicum, leaf mould, forest floor and mushrooms. I tasted a bottle of this in April 2013 and its still holding up really well for a ten year old white wine from Oz! Wonderful. ”

Alcohol: 12.5%

I have new stock of the 2009 in from Australia and its now ready for drinking being that the wine is now 4 years old. I shall follow up with more detailed tasting notes in the near future

Verdelho 2000

Mr whirly says:

“The flagship white wine of Willespie. The grape is orginally found in Madeira, an island I have yet to see and its very much on my list “ to do “. Complex with added plus of bottle age, which is rather unique for Verdelho, since normally drunk young. Salty and nutty on the finish with a hint of Charentais melon. Very positive bottle ageing.”

Alcohol : 12.5%