As with the 2007 wine, this wine had 50% whole bunch (stalks included) fermentation and then was treated to 100% new French Hogsheads. Unlike the 2007 wine, this wine was made from fruit from the Canberra District instead of the Hunter Valley. An inky red. Red currants and red plums, neatly interwoven with stalks, spices, red liquorice and smoke. There is also a salty, rockish quality too. After a couple of hours, it also showed some blueberries. A rounded texture, with pervasive stalks, peppery dryness and some sap on the finish. A style I like.

Other vintages: 2007

Rated : 91 Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $40
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2012-2018+
Source : Winery Sample
Website : Meerea Park

Mount Majura is a small vineyard and winery close to Canberra, in the ACT. The vineyard is situated on the eastern slopes of Mount Majura and is characterised by red volcanic soils also containing some limestone. They produce a swag of different varietals.

A rampant nose, showing an intensity blackcurrants that dominate everything, though on the second night there was also some tar and a vague woodiness. The palate showed ripe black fruits, a bit of dirt and soft comforting tannins, but seemed a bit hollow to me, which is odd because I thought Merlot was supposed to fill out the mid-palate. Length is moderate, and there is just a bit of char on the finish. This wine was actually consumed next to a Vietti Dolcetto d’Alba, which is a very different style of wine, and as you would expect both wines had their admirers, for different reasons.

Rated : 85 Points
Tasted : Apr08
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $17
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 – 2010
Source : Festival Cellars

A lot of lift on the nose, spices and red fruits, quite plummy, fresh apricots and perhaps a slightly baked spice character. The palate was rich and very smooth, delicious red plums and spices, soft tannins and excellent length. On the second night a bit of the fruit had dropped out of the wine and some cool climate traits emerged, and though it showed the same lifted florals, there was now a bit of pepper and meat, and a barky spice character. Effortless drinking. Consume now with a decant or cellar for a couple of years.

Rated : 91 Points
Tasted : Feb08
Alcohol : 15.7%
Price : $59.50
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010 – 2014
Source : Winery Sample

This is the first straight Viognier from 3 year old vines in the Martin Block at Ravensworth. A seductive nose, with orange sherbet, citrus blossoms, apricots, mandarins and a hint of pineapple juice. The palate is full of lovely fruits, textured, lemons and apricots, musky and a bit edgey, finely structured, and though the opulent nose gives the impression of sweetness, it is a dry wine. The finish shows some taut green fruits and a hint of dried herbs. Great length and full of interest – a promising debut.

Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : Apr07
Alcohol : 14.0%
Price : $25
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2007 – 2010
Source : Winery Sample