At Single Vineyards, we’re always happy when our wines receive well-deserved recognition from Australia’s respected wine writers. Here’s what they had to say recently about some great drops from our Western Australian wineries Harewood Estate, Apricus Hill, and Silkwood Estate. These vineyards have homes in vastly different landscapes. From the Great Southern’s cool hilltops within sight of the Southern Ocean to the tall Karri forest surrounds of Pemberton, head West for some everyday wine inspiration – whichever season you’re in around the world!
Harewood Estate – Frankland River Riesling 2017 (Great Southern)
Enjoy the rewards over time from James Kellie’s renowned sub-regional rieslings. Take advantage of the last of the 2017s while they’re still available – the 2018 rieslings are not far away.
94 points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Almost pale colour, and a restrained bouquet, which has a little free SO2 as well as an intense dried flower arrangement bouquet. The acidity is searingly high but also refreshing on the finish. There’s a tickle of sweetness but it finishes clean and dry. This would age very well. An excellent wine with fish.
94 points – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Pale straw-green; a wine of purity, harmony and balance, no single part of the aroma and bouquet standing out from its counterparts. Will evolve into something special in 5 years’ time, and flourish thereafter. Drink to 2030.
Apricus Hill – Semillon 2016 (Denmark)
Intense, racy, and packed with flavour. Sneaked this in for the Semillon lovers amongst us – we know you’re out there! (Keep an eye out for the 2017 when it arrives too, it’s a cracker.)
92 points – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Unoaked, but as different as chalk and cheese from Hunter Valley Semillon. The mouthfeel is richer, the flavours more strident, with lemon citrus and green bean leading the way. The unanswered question is how and when it will reach the first level of maturity.
Silkwood Estate – The Walcott Shiraz 2016 (Pemberton)
Enjoy this very appealing Pemberton shiraz with the turn of the season, and keep some bottles aside to enjoy over the next few years.
90 points – Toni Paterson, The Real Review
A delicious, medium-weight shiraz with fabulous, vibrant red cherry, plum and raspberry flavours. The acidity is integrated, and the tannins are fine and mild. A lovely, modern, cool-climate shiraz.
90 points – Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review
Pemberton Shiraz in an approachable mode. Squished boysenberry nose that carries through onto a nice juicy purple fruit with bitter liquorice edges. Spicy, tangy, mid weight style lifted by that boysenberry fruit.
Harewood Estate – FLUX V Pinot Noir 2017 (Great Southern)
Bottled unfined and unfiltered to capture the subtleties of cool climate Great Southern pinot noir, think of this as the ‘director’s cut’ of the Harewood Estate F-block pinot noir – now dedicated to the FLUX label.
90 points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Medium to full red colour with a trace of purple. The bouquet is sappy, foresty and quite complex in a savoury way, while the palate is medium weight and has a core of sweetness. Subtle stemmy notes add to the firmness of the palate. Nice length; good wine. Drink now to 2025.
