Daniel Akers

9.3

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

There is no doubt what varietal this one is and it is in the loire style. Tons of green and black pepper, plums, bit of cherry, light bodied overall. Some flowers towards the end. Will be fun to see how it evolves. Reminds me of entry level chinon from Kermit lynch. — 7 months ago

Tom Garland

9.7

Harlan wine dinner at Quince with Will Harlan celebrating their Estate's 40th anniversary.

WINE
2020 Harlan Estate
2016 Harlan Estate
2011 Harlan Estate
2007 Harlan Estate
2002 Harlan Estate
1996 Harlan Estate

FOOD
spot prawn crudo
Smoked squab
Don Watson farm lamb
Spit roasted rib of beef
24 month aged comte souffle — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Bob McDonald

9.3

Initial aromas of oak, blackberry and black fruits in general. Quite sweet on the palate with the vanillin oak but pulled into Cabernet line with a leafy touch. After a while aromas of cedar and unburnt pipe tobacco. I remember in the early days Wolfgang Blass, the man, used to say “No Wood No Good”. Was his mantra and worked well for him with 3 Jimmy Watson Trophies until tasters developed more sophisticated tastes. Will drink the remaining couple of bottles in the next few years. Ended up having the next one (and 2nd last) 26 weeks later on 24th September 2023. Hadn’t changed much. It screams black currant and milk chocolate. Try and have the last one in 2026 when 20 years old. Still 93 points. — 3 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.5

The 2014 Jimmy Watson winner, and what a ripper it is. Needed a decant and a good splash to open up and reveal all the blue and black berry fruit and spice that made this such an enticing wine in its youth. Elegant, savoury and delicious! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Pale to Mid Crimson in colour. Red cherry and a tarry note . 80% whole bunch in the ferment. On the palate red and black cherry (flesh and skins). A fuller style - medium weight + palate. Mornington Peninsula is very good for Pinot Noir and this was the first Pinot to win the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy for Best One Year old Dry Red at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. Delectable this is the Single Block Pinot Noir not the Syrah. — 6 years ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

2012 Jimmy Watson winner. No Bin 1 or Thompson family made in 20111 due to wet year so all the best fruit in this wine, drinking very nicely but noticeably greenish and lighter due to poor year. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

Needs air for 3 hours. Then just great. 13.1 % lots of stuffing here. A powerful Chard with weight and body. Well balanced acidity. Already a hint of Hazelnut but otherwise at this point of its evolution citrus driven. Meyer lemon, sour mandarine, hint of green, touch smoke. Keep for 10 years. Diam Cork 5. — 8 months ago

Matt P

9.1

Really like this wine, Brian Watson brought it we had from Easter — 2 years ago

Jess

9.1

Pale lemon color.
Aromas of pear, citrus.
Dry. Flavors of pear, lime, guava, hint of herbal.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 1/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The 2nd of two vintage Cape Mentelle wines for Sunday lunch. A medium plus crimson red in colour. Notes of mulberry and herbaceous Margaret River characters. Even at 15 years a whiff of French oak. With time in decanter sweet red and black fruits revealed themselves on the medium plus bodied palate. Finishing with velvety tannins. A classic Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage - the first of 4 bottles from the cellar. Loved this with a Porterhouse Waygu score of 4. Cape Mentelle was one of the early stars of Margaret River, with David Hohnen at the helm they won 3 Jimmy Watson trophies in a row in the early 1980s. Nowadays owned by LVMH. Had another 52 weeks later on 7th January 2024 with consistent notes. Still have 2 left. Have next in 2025 and then the last one anytime up to 2028. I ended up having the 2nd last one on 8th June 2024 with consistent notes as previous. I had the last one on 26/7/25 with consistent notes. No real change from previous tasting. Mulberry. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Wine No. 8 in the field of 8 Cabernets from the 2009 vintage tasted blind and it proved to be the consensus Winner by a narrow margin over the Les Forts. I loved this and the Palmer 8 years ago at the Cape Mentelle tasting and they remain stunning wines. A wonderful perfume of red flowers, plums, and earth. Medium to Full Bodied with great length. Two of the tasters, long time wine professional, Ken Gargett and Dr Mark Welsh ( head of the Chevaliers in Australia) each gave this wine 98 points. This was Margaret River at its best. Bravo Woodlands and the Watson Family!! — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Woodlands Dinner at Walters Steak House in Brisbane last Wednesday hosted by one of the family owners, Andrew Watson. The premium cuvée each year is named after Family members or friends. 2014 was “Matthew “. Drinking a 5 year old Cabernet of this quality from Magnum is akin to infanticide but one can see the undoubted potential there. Cellar for up to 20 years. Definitely one of the icon Cabs of Margaret River. A lovely blend of Cassis and Herbaceous notes. Medium to full bodied with a finish that goes on forever. Outstanding. — 7 years ago

romo

9.1

A sourness on the nose remans and is greater than the expected pyrazines. Pleasant if you like the house style. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

After my recent white Burgh come to Jesus experience. I must say in 22 W-Burghs are the shit despite the $$$. They are stunning. More to come. Worth the extra 30$ yes. The US counter punch the 22 Mark Enfield Watson Ranch at 1/2 the price - typically his top wine - was just too linear and less exciting in this particular vintage. So i threw in this 22 Hirsch. Honeyed Melon on the nose. Lacks a tad of acidity. Quite tropical and almost sweet. 13.7%. Touch hazelnut already and relative dark yellow. Seems too highly extracted. Definitely a crowd pleaser - but this at least today is not my kind of wine. Too rich. 65$. Just can’t match the finesse of the chiseled Bachelet -Monnot 22 white Burghs. And pricy for what it has to offer. More WB tastings to come - but soon i am done! Spend enough. — 8 months ago

romo

9.2

Consistent notes. Firm still. Besides the cabs, might be their longest living bottling. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Woodlands premium Cabernet every year is named after a family member. Shelley Anne is the wife of Stuart Watson, winemaker and part owner. The nose is herbal with notes of blackberry. I reckon I could pick this as Margaret River Cabernet in a blind tasting. On the palate vanillin oak is noticeable which is surprising at 15 years of age. Next night that vanilla oak was still poking through, which will probably always be there. The normal descriptors of bay leaf and cigar box somewhat subdued by the oak. One of my favourite Cabernets in Australia but not as much in 2008. 4 left in the cellar. It will be interesting to see any changes in the next 5 years. See previous note from November 2018. The 2009 the following year was an absolute stunner. Had another bottle of the 2008 37 weeks later on 12th November. Always a great bottle with a good BBQ Steak. Very Margaret River herbaceous and to be ultra critical this needs more mid palate fruit with blackberry and cassis to get a few more points. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See previous notes from 28 July 2021. Barb thought raspberry, cherry also herbs and earth. Really enjoyed this and can see why it won the most prestigious Trophy on the Australian Show Circuit, the Jimmy Watson Trophy for the best one year old dry red at Royal Melbourne. Always difficult to source Jimmy Watson winners. This SGM Blend was the last of 2 bottles — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

@Daron Watson And this is a good one too. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Bright crimson in colour. Tarry tertiary aromas ie Savoury over fruit. Palate is light to medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Sweet compared to the Bell Hill had the night before. 80% whole bunch ferment (stalkiness) is in balance with the high quality Pinot fruits. Drinking at its peak. The winner of the Jimmy Watson Trophy In 2013 at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show for the best One Year old Dry Red In somewhat controversial circumstances over the Giant Steps entry. — 7 years ago