The Margaret River, best known for its cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and semillon-sauvignon blanc blends, probably in that order, also produces a ripe shiraz style that ages well. This wine, a 2007 shiraz from Leeuwin Estate (best known for its chardonnay) has an aroma of plums. The palate is rich, full bodied and spicey, with ripe and sweet fruit. This delicious wine is in its drinking prime. Rating: Very Good. Website: https://leeuwinestate.com.au. Reviewed: July 2020.
This wine is a very sauvignon blanc influenced semillon sauvignon blanc blend from Wills Domain in the Margaret River. It opens to clarion like passionfruit and gooseberry aromas. The palate is crisp and ready to drink, with a roundness to the body its primary clue to its semillon portion. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.5. Price: $20. Website: https://willsdomain.com.au/winery-yallingup/. Source: Sample. Reviewed: April 2020.
This is a well made sparkling wine from the classic varieties of chardonnay and pinot noir. The producer is Wills Domain in the Margaret River. In the glass, there are light aromas of citrus and yeast. The palate has between medium and firm acidity. Well priced and suitable for current drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: NA. Price: $39. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: January 2020.
This is a sound and varietal sauvignon blanc from Wills Domain in the Margaret River under the Mystic Spring label. It has aromas of lemon and passionfruit. The palate is unoaked, fruity and medium bodied in style. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 11.9. Price: $25. Website: willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: January 2020.
This is a very approachable and attractive expression of Margaret River shiraz. Its overt aromas of spice and blueberry are complemented by a full bodied palate with good length on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4 to 5 years. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14%. Price: NA. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This is a pleasant and approachable Margaret River cabernet sauvignon from the 2018 vintage. It has an aroma of ripe cassis and its palate reminds of blackcurrant and clove. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 14%. Price: NA. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
Very pale in colour, this rosé from Wills Domain in the Margaret River is a blend of 85% shiraz and 15% sauvignon blanc. In the glass, it has a fruity aroma of ripe red strawberries. The palate has a soft body but firm acidity. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.6%. Price: NA. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This is a good sparkling wine from Wills Domain. However perhaps its most surprising feature is that it is made from 100% scheurebe. Scheurebe is an early twentieth century German cross of riesling and “bukettrebe”, and well regarded as such, but finds its home mostly in Germany and Austria. Apparently some has found its way to the Margaret River. In the glass, this sparkling wine has aromas of apples, lemon and a touch of bread. The palate is fresh with good acidity and balance. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 12.6%. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019
This artistically labelled wine from Wills Domain in the Margaret River is a sparkling rosé made from 100% merlot. Pale in colour, it has aromas of red fruit and toast. The palate is dry and pleasant and has a delicate mousse. A well made wine that is ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 12%. Price: $39. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
Devil’s Lair is a brand owned by Treasury Wine Estates and this is the 2014 vintage of their cabernet sauvignon from the Margaret River. It opens to aromatics of clove and eucalyptus, the latter a character that I notice in a lot of Margaret River cabernets. The palate is dry and somewhat stern in bearing, overly so for me. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: $40. Website: www.devils-lair.com.au.