Plantagenet Wines makes the West Australian Wine Guide 2020 – By Ray Jordan. 

Article: The West Australian Wine Guide 2020 – By Ray Jordan.

28th November 2019.

Plantagenet is the oldest winery in the Great Southern region, with vineyards first planted in Mount Barker in 1968 by Tony Smith. The winery is now owned by the Lionel Samson Family, the oldest family-owned business in Western Australia. Plantagenet produces cool-climate wines of purity, complexity an elegance. 

Plantagenet ‘Angevin’ Riesling 2018 ($32)

Most attractive example of Mount Barker Riesling. Floral notes on the nose. Then there is a lime zest-dominant palate with a little spice and bath salts. The acid is delicate and fine and sustains a lively tense palate through to a long finish.

Score: 95/100          Cellar: 10 years

Plantagenet ‘York’ Chardonnay 2018 ($40)

A generous and almost opulent chardonnay displaying a mix of ripe melon and cereal on the nose with stone fruit and citrus complexity. The palate is full and deep with a creamy nuttiness. Slightly savoury notes complement the ripe fruit to control a sustained finish.

Score: 92/100         Cellar: 6 years

Plantagenet Three Lions Cabernet Merlot 2017 ($25)

A delightful bright and lively Cabernet Merlot blend. It was a cool vintage. but this wine has plenty of fruit weight delivered with finesse and restraint. Ripe plummy blackcurrant fruit aromas with a balancing savoury character. The palate has good structure and poise. It’s ideal as a wine for the short term while it retains those beautiful primary fruit flavours.

Score: 91/100         Cellar: 5 years

Plantagenet ‘Normand’ Pinot Noir 2018 ($40)

Such a gorgeous perfumed bouquet greets immediately. Seductive cherry and violet notes with a subtle infusion of forestry damp earth. The palate is medium-bodied, but with excellent structure from the chalky fine tannins and silky fine oak. impeccable balance with a long finish. One of the best pintos yet from Plantagenet.

Score: 94/100         Cellar: 9 years

Plantagenet ‘Aquitaine’ Cabernet Sauvignon  2017 ($45)

Boy, this is a classic Cabernet. The nose is excellent, with real leafy tobacco character that appeals immediately. The palate is medium to full-bodied with fine tannins and a little dab of oak. It’s in excellent balance, with a posed effortless palate. Seamless and integrated with a long finish. An excellent wine with a tremendous promise. There’s just a little leafy cool mint on the nose, but it is still ripe and flavoursome. Tannins are assertive and chalky on the finish.

Score: 93/100         Cellar: 15 years

Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Pinot Noir 2018 ($70)

Colour quite a bit deeper than the Normand pinot. This is a more substantial wine with tremendous power and intensity. The tannins are chalky and firmish, but around them is warm, fleshy, opulent fruit. This has a grunt and makes a statement. The palate feel is a key. Has a beet and cherry character. This is a game-changing pinot. Has a brightness and vitality. There’s a little of the stewed plum in the middle as well.

Score: 97/100         Cellar: 12 years