Brian Oakwell of auswine online www.auswineonline.co.uk presented a set of boutique wines from Western Australia.
In order we had
Flametree NV Sparkling - £18
Mishmash Margaret River White - £15
Forest Hill 2010 Chardonnay - £18
Forest Hill 2010 Riesling - £15
Embers Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - £13
Forest Hill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - £18
Amelia Park 2010 Shiraz - £18.50
Amelia Park 2010 Cabernet merlot. £20
The Flametree sparkling was pretty good, and around about a fair price. The Mishmash - a blend of Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay was OK, but I think one can do better att that price. The Chardonnay was quite interesting, as its the new unoaked, fresh crisp style, but still 14% Alcohol, without the in-your-face old style heaviness. The Riesling - I'm still looking for a good non German Riesling. I love the good German rieslings, but cannot find them outside Germany!
The reds however, were terrific. All well balanced, fruity, but still up at 14% alcohol (so presumably no cheating by dealcoholisation) For me, the star was the first one - fruity, fresh, but still full bodied and well balnced. I may even buy a case!. The others were also pretty good, but for absolute VFM the Embers Cab Sauv gets the vote.
