The wines of Amelia Park, Margaret River, Australia

The wines of Amelia Park
A new high-end producer from Margaret River

Website: www.ameliaparkwines.com.au

The Australian wine scene is not just about big brands. It’s actually pretty dynamic with lots of high-performing small producers making interesting wines. Such an example is a new Margaret River winery called Amelia Park. I recently met up with Jeremy and Daniela Gordon (above), the owners, to taste through their range.

Jeremy hails from Western Australia, but spent seven years in the Hunter Valley, primarily with Tamburlaine. Daniela is a brand marketer who worked with Mars and Nestlé. But that’s now in the past: Amelia Park is the sole focus for both of them. They’re joined in this venture by partner Peter Walsh, who owns the Amelia Park Estate in Margaret River, as well as a restaurant in Perth called Jackson’s (www.jacksonsrestaurant.com.au).

Immediately before Amelia Park, Jeremy was co-owner and winemaker at another Margaret River start-up, Flametree, which began in 2007 and quickly established quite a reputation for itself. The first Flametree releases won six trophies, including the prestigious Jimmy Watson trophy. But things didn’t work out there (it’s best not to ask too many questions, sometimes), and so despite this incredible success, he moved on to the new venture.

Amelia Park are using the same growers that Jeremy worked with at Flametree, and are leasing space at the Three Oceans winery, which helps take the financial pressure off the business. ‘We have to put a lot of effort into maintaining grower relationships,’ says Jeremy. ‘If the market does shift then people will try to steal the fruit. If the growers like you and how you operate, then this protects things.’

Another advantage in buying grapes is that a young business like this can make wines from older vines.

First release for Amelia Park was the 2009 vintage, tasted here, and currently 100 tons are being crushed. The plan is to grow things to 300 tons, focusing primarily on high-end retailers and restaurants. There are also some reserve wines in the pipeline, as yet unreleased.

THE WINES

Amelia Park Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2010 Margaret River
12.5% alcohol. Very fine grassy nose. Quite pure and transparent with some green grassy notes. The palate is fresh with nice fine herbiness and crisp grapefruit and citrus notes. 90/100 (UK retail Ł17)

Amelia Park Mishmash Margaret River White 2010
12% alcohol. Predominantly Sauvignon with some Semillon and a touch of Chardonnay. Gently rounded and fruity with some grassiness. Nice fruit here. Rounded character. 87/100 (UK retail Ł15)

Amelia Park Mishmash Margaret River Red 2009
14.5% alcohol. Cabernet Sauvignon aged in older oak. Very fresh, vibrant, berryish nose is vivid with some grassy savouriness and blackcurrant bud notes. The palate shows lovely berryish fruit. Juicy and bright with blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Vibrant and juicy with some grip. 89/100 (UK retail Ł15)

Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot 2009 Margaret River
14.5% alcohol. This comes from the same vineyard as the celebrated Flametree Cabernet Merlot. It’s 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 35% Merlot and 5% Malbec. Lovely vibrant sweet blackcurrant and blackberry fruit nose with a dark savoury, spicy edge. The palate is sweet but supple with lovely elegance and balance. Nice gravelly edge to the black fruits. Fresh but with depth. 93/100 (Ł18.50) [this has subsequently been awarded a Top Gold at the Royal Melbourne show, and was a finalist for the Jimmy Watson trophy]

Amelia Park Shiraz 2009 Frankland River
13.5% alcohol. Jeremy has been working with this vineyard for five years. Lovely dark fruits nose with some spice, blackberry and blackcurrant character. The palate is rich, sweetly fruited and bold with spicy, tarry notes and firm structure. Hints of chocolate. Fresh and spicy with firm dark fruits. Stylish. 91/100

UK agent: www.auswineonline.co.uk