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The
wines of of
Shadowfax, Werribee, Victoria
Shadowfax Wines, K Road,
Werribee, Vic 3030
Phone: (61) 3 9731 4420 Fax:
(61) 3 9731 4421
E-mail: shadowfax@mansiongroup.com.au
Website: http://www.shadowfax.com.au/
UK agent: Morris & Verdin (020 7291 5300)
 Shadowfax is an exciting new
venture based at Port Phillip in Victoria, not far from Melbourne. New
Zealander Matt Harrop is the winemaker (a Roseworthy graduate, he
boasts previous experience at Nautilus and Brokenwood) while
viticulture is in the hands of Andrew Tedder, previously from Glenguin
in the Hunter.
As well as owning vineyards in
key Victorian sites, Shadowfax also buy grapes in. They have vineyards
in Heathcote (old vine Shiraz in this trendy region), Weribee (planted
in 1998, where the winery is located), Geelong (new clones of Pinot
Noir planted in 2002) and Tallarook (Planted 1999). Particularly
noteworthy are the three recently acquired Heathcote vineyards which
are the oldest in the region (planted in 1972), a locale that has
become famous because of the likes of Jasper Hill and Mount Ida.
This is the second time I’ve
reviewed this winery – this time I got to see a wider range of
wines, including the lovely Heathcote wines. They are very impressive
across the board. Encouragingly, Harrop is aiming to express a sense
of place in his wines – always a good sign.
Shadowfax Sauvignon Blanc 2001 Adelaide Hills
This is an interesting Sauvignon showing a distinctive rounded,
herbal edge to the fruit. There’s a hint of nuttiness, too. Very
good+ 88/100 (Harvey Nichols, Noel Young, Handford Theatre of Wine,
Flying Corkscrew)
Shadowfax Chardonnay 2001 Geelong
Rounded toasty nose with ripe fruit. Complex stuff showing nice
elegance and nuttiness. Delicious. Very good/excellent 92/100 (Philglas
& Swiggot, Stratford Wines, Cooden Cellars, Totnes Wines)
Shadowfax Pinot Noir 2001 Victoria
From the Yarra Ranges and Geelong. Subtle herby, undergrowthy edge
to the nose. Soft ripe fruit on the palate with a spicy edge. Subtle
and intruiging. Very good/excellent 90/100 (Noel Young, Harvey
Nichols, Flying Corkscrew, Theatre of Wine)
Shadowfax Shiraz 2001 McLaren Vale
Sweet, intense ripe black fruits on the nose, with a chocolatey,
spicy character. Intense, concentrated spicy palate with ripe, lush
fruit and some structure. Very good/excellent 91/100 (Harvey Nichols,
Philglas & Swiggot, Dunells, Totnes Wine)
Shadowfax Black Label Pinot Noir 2001
Palish colour. Subtle herby complexity to the nose. Lovely
concentration of spicy, chewy yet elegant fruit. Very expressive. Very
good/excellent 91/100
Shadowfax Pink Cliffs Shiraz 2001 Heathcote
Deep coloured. Nicely poised ripe, juicy, vivid fruit with lovely
structure. Quite firm and bold with good acid structure. Delicious and
nicely poised with good potential for the future. Very good/excellent
93/100
Shadowfax One Eye Shiraz 2001 Heathcote
Deep coloured. Very pure, ripe berry fruit nose. The palate is
bold with good density of vivid, elegant fruit. Lovely structure:
bold, rich and spicy with a nice elegance. Complex and rich with good
acidity. Very good/excellent 93/100
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