Neal Ferry

8.9

And older bottle hanging around and and it’s good — 24 days ago

with TwiLea

Janette Johanna Välimäki

8.9

Upea pullo, vähän mausteinen, mutta myös inan tylsä. (vähän halppis maku, kuiva) — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Impenetrable Colour - dense deep Ruby - opaque. Black fruits of blackberry and plums verging on pruney on the nose. A full bodied palate - rich and fleshy needing more complexity which will come with bottle age. Winery says drink to 2030. Try the next one in a few years. This winery on Kangaroo Island is owned by Jacques Lurton (Cheval Blanc and other wineries in South America). The winemaker is Yale Norris who is from Colorado. I think I incorrectly said Canadian in a previous note. Barb and I had a private tour of The Islander with Yale back in 2016. These grapes are fermented in upright square concrete vats where he does several pump overs of the skins - then matured for almost 2 years in French Oak in the next size up from a Barrique. At $35 great value for the time and effort that goes into this boutique production. Sadly ravaged in the bush fires earlier this year. Tasted another bottle 31 weeks later on December 30, 2020, with consistent notes - certain persistent tannins - went well with Porterhouse steaks at Paros. The BBQ worked a treat. Tasted a bottle 90 weeks later on 12th February 2022 with consistent notes. Balanced, full bodied and excellent. Went well with Home made meatballs - made by daughter Georgie home from Copenhagen after 3 years. — 4 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Clean, refreshing, low alcohol — 3 months ago

with TwiLea

Linn Risvang

9.4

Frisk og perfekt drikkevin😍 — 3 years ago

Errett Van Nice

10

Simply the best — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Lemon in colour. Another stunningly good Semillon and non Hunter Valley @Ceccherini Cristiano from Kangaroo Island of all places which was recently badly damaged by bushfires. The Islander is owned by Jacques Lurton and family of Cheval Blanc, other right bank wineries and wineries around the world. This wine was more Bordeaux Blanc than Hunter Valley in style with perfectly judged oak giving the wine a rich texture and excellent mouthfeel. Peachy ripe fruit which is unusual for a Semillon. A stunner. — 4 years ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.0

11/15/23
Tasting #1
Oh… fresh perfect Sauvignon Blanc — 5 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

I was the only one at the table that found this to be ready to drink. Tremendous freshness on the nose and palate. It was showing wonderful citrus notes & minerals along with some hints of tropical fruit ( sign of the vintage imo).
A tremendous match with scallop coquilles St.-Jacques — 2 years ago

with Richard

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid to Deep Crimson in colour. Aromas of menthol, tobacco and ash notes together with black tea and after an hour in the decanter- violets. Not often one has a Cabernet Franc of this quality made in Australia. Made at The Islander on Kangaroo Island which is owned by Jacques Lurton and family, owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc so they know a bit about Cab Franc!! Jancis Robinson describes Cheval Blanc as “the world’s grandest Cabernet Franc dominated wine” Visited The Islander there 4 years ago and had a tour with the Colorado winemaker. A semi-maritime climate - very dry so that a limited need for pesticides. In summary a very polished wine and the best Cab Franc I’ve had outside the Right Bank or Loire Valley. — 4 years ago