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
£17)
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 £15)
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 £15)
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 (£18.50)
[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
See
also:
Australian
wines
Wines
tasted 09/10
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
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