“Jaw-dropping with power”, “A real game changer” and “took me into another zone”, Ray Jordan gives his verdict in the West Australian.

We’re happy to announce respected wine journalist, Ray Jordan has released his article on our newest release, Wyjup Collection,  in the West Australian. We’re very happy with the results Wyjup Collection has received, some great comments and fantastic feedback all round.

Article:

A few weeks ago, I wrote about some impressive new releases that pointed to significant improvement in Mt Barker’s Plantagenet Wines. Well, things just got a whole lot better.
A new range called the Wyjup Collection is about to be released and it is one the most exciting new ranges I have seen in some time.
Plantagenet’s vineyards are some of the oldest in the State, and with new direction and focus, the Lionel Samson Sadleirs-owned winery is now producing a range based on the best fruit they can source from their different vineyards,
I recently tasted a tidy shiraz from the coolish 2017 vintage and a very impression Riesling from 2018, but it was the chardonnay and pinot noir that delivered the hammer blows. The Chardonnay is a real game changer. Its is a wine of structure, focus and tight liner definition that I have not seen before in Great Southern chardonnays. The pinot noir is jaw-dropping with power, structure and concentration at a level that took me into another zone.
The wines are the result of clever and sympathetic winemaking by Luke Eckersley and astute vineyard work by Jordan Ellis. Look our for them.

Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Riesling 2018 ($45)
There is a delicacy here with lemon and spicy bath salts characters. Has a slightly beeswax character as well. This is a superbly structured Riesling with tremendous ageing potential. Its all from the Wyjup south block, Has a good fruit concentration in the middle with a fine, persistent acid. Slaty tension with wet pebble in here.

95/100  (best drinking: Now to 2031)

Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Chardonnay 2018 ($70)
Old block hand-picked chardonnay. Has a flinty pear and citrus character on the nose with some lees influence. Has had eight months in a mix of oak of which 35 per cent was new. There’s no malolactic fermentation but six months on lees with weekly stirring has created the texture. Its slightly creamy with excellent depth.

96/100 (best drinking: Now to 2027)

Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Pinot Noir 2018 ($70)
The colour is quite a bit deeper than the Normand Pinot, This is a more substantial wine with tremendous power and intensity. The tannin’s are chalky and firmish but around them is warm, fleshy opulent fruit. This has grunt and make a statement. The palate feel is a key. Has a beet and cherry character. There is brightness and vitality with a little fleshy stewed plum in the middle palate.

96/100 (best drinking: Now to 2031)

Ray Jordan
West Australian
14th September 2019