The Struie, Torbreck 2021

Semillon, Muscat and Pinot Gris were vinified separately. They are picked in the morning, destemmed, fermented on skins for 10 days, pressed gently, and aged in old barrels and steel.

With up-front aromatics and florals, it starts out all skinsy and tropical with notes of tangerine and stonefruits. Refreshingly dry on the end for an easy-drinking finish. Textural and interesting, fun and chewy.

Immediate nose of beetroot juice poured over graphite shavings sets you up for quite a journey. The palate shares the same dense minerality and graphite texture as the nose with a quiet but growing presence of forest floor and frozen berries. On opening, this fruit thaws to release fresh summer pudding and cream served in a pencil case. Bonkers!

Alpha Box & Dice

A pale, beautifully balanced chardonnay with hints of vanilla on the nose and a winning cool climate acidity. Careful oak treatment has resulted in a wine of depth and balance.

Larry Cherubino began his winemaking career with Houghton Winery but by 2004 he and his wife Edwina were already preparing to go solo having acquired a small plot in Frankland River. They released their first wine in 2005 and have gone on to receive worldwide acclaim including Winery of the year from James Halliday, Matt Skinner and, most recently Matthew Jukes.

Grapes were selected from various sites across the Great Southern. Great attention to harvest dates along with gentle de-stemming, minimal use of sulphur and using free-run juice from select parcels of fruit ensured the elegance and purity of flavour were maintained. Almost transparent in colour, this wine shows great purity and refinement. A fragrant bouquet, with flavours of lemon peel and bath salts all carried along by a soft texture and long fine acid.

2022 Vintage- 93 pts in 2024 Halliday Wine Companion