JULY 2011

Lots of emails arrive these days with "sent from my iPhone". Well this particular missive comes from my pen while seated at the big table in front of the Cellar Door fire.
A series of cold fronts are lashing Wilyabrup and red wine along with slow cooked meats are the order of the day. Local farmer and winemaker David Hohnen's fabulous Arcady lamb is appearing in restaurants in Perth and around the south west, but if you're in the area, pick some up from the Farm Shop on Caves Road.
We can suggest a few good wine matches and probably none better than the 2007 Juniper Estate Shiraz .It picked up its fair share of bling and continues the run of fine wines from the original 7 acre block planted in 1973.

July sees the release of the 2010 Crossing Tempranillo. We are replanting our own patch of this Spanish variety with some superior clonal selections and in the meantime are sourcing excellent fruit from the Ferguson Valley, about 100 kilometres north of here.
The 2009 took out the best dry red varietal trophy in last year's Perth Royal Wine Show and we are just as happy with the new release.

The Cabernet and Cab Merlot blends from Margaret River are in the middle of a purple patch of very fine vintages that are the envy of growers and winemakers right across the country. The 2007 s made headlines and the 2008 s even more so.
Our 2008 Higher Plane Cabernet gathered 5 trophies amongst its many accolades and as you can imagine a small volume single vineyard wine with that sort of press didn't hang around. Fortunately, the similarly small volume, single vineyard Juniper Estate Cab Sauv 2008 is still available and some critics have kindly said they believe it to be our best yet (Nick Stock 95 points, Ray Jordan 95 points & James Halliday 96 points).
The Cabernet and Merlot blends from 2008 (Juniper Crossing) and 2009 (HP South by Southwest) are both now available and again the quality of fruit available makes them second tier wines with first tier flavours.

For anyone planning to visit the winery, we are now located in Tom Cullity Drive. We haven't moved but our old address of Harmans Road South was officially changed to honour Dr Tom who planted the first commercial vineyard in Margaret River, over the road at Vasse Felix, in 1967.

Happy winter drinking

Mark

Mark Messenger
Winemaker
Juniper Estate and Higher Plane

Winter Special

Awards & Reviews

2008 Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Reviewed: "Striking purple-crimson; a wine of the controlled power and concentration you might expect to find in a First Growth Bordeaux; black fruits, savoury but ripe tannins, and quality oak are seamlessly sewn together; has prodigious length."
James Halliday's 2012 Wine Companion, 96 points.

Reviewed: "This strong performer has made the grade once more, with amazing fruit concentration and depth – really striking for the level of concentration and freshness it delivers. The nose has an abundance of rich dark-berry fruit, black cherries, cassis and ripe blood plums, cedary oak with vanillin and spice – very smart. The palate's built on immense, mouth-filling tannins and perfectly struck ripeness, holding a long, roaring finish. Powerful but beautifully poised. Score 95"
Price $50.00 Alc 14.5% Drink 2015 Closure Screwcap
Nick Stock, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2011

Reviewed: "I would have to say this is the most complete and the best cabernet Juniper has made and there have been some good'uns. Firm controlled palate with deep concentration of fruit. It's poised and supremely elegant with great length, structure and underlying power. Will cellar for many years." 95/100 Cellar 12 Years.
Ray Jordan's 2011 WA Wine Guide

2007 Juniper Estate Shiraz

2011 Cowra Wine Show - Gold Medal
2010 Royal Hobart Wine Show - Gold medal
2010 Melbourne Wine Show - Silver medal
2009 Margaret River Wine Show - Gold medal

Reviewed: "The nose is brooding, with blackberry aromas and oaky characters. There are lots of ripe and vibrant dark berry flavours of good length."
Recommended.
Winewise – June 2011

Reviewed: "Strong purple-crimson; a very robust, full-bodied wine, standing apart from the normal Margaret River style, with strong savoury overtones to the black fruits; not extractive per se, but certainly needs time."
James Halliday's 2012 Wine Companion, 91 points.

2009 Juniper Estate Semillon

Reviewed: "Oak influenced semillon is an acquired taste for many, but when the wood is applied with a deft hand its a taste worth developing. This WA example offers citrus, honey, lanolin and nutty aromas of good aromatic impact. The palate is creamy-smooth and richly flavoured with a tight backbone.
(Screwcap, 13.5 per cent alcohol) Ageing, Drink over two years " 5 stars
Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age, Epicure, Wine and Food, Autumn 2011

Reviewed: "An intense lemony varietal with a hunt of butter and toasty oak adding complexity. It has plenty of everything. Enjoy it now. ($26.00) 13.5% Screwcap - Recommended"
Winewise Volume 26 Number 6 - February 2011

Reviewed: "Another complex Margaret River barrel-fermented Semillon that has plenty of richness - ripe citrus, some waxy notes and custard spices. The palate's creamy lemon is set against mouth-watering acidity that drives a long and layered presence with toasty build. 94 Points"
Nick Stock, Wine 100 Magazine, January/February 2011

2009 Juniper Estate Chardonnay

Reviewed: "This is in great shape. It has all the richness and power of Margaret River chardonnay, delivered with handy poise and grace. Smells of ripe figs and rich stone fruits, grilled cashews and spicy French timber. The palate has bright, crunchy stone fruits and melon, chipper acid and pleasing grip through the finish."
Score 92 Price $20.00 Alc 14% Drink Now Closure Screwcap
Nick Stock, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2011

Reviewed: " Lovely rich and beautifully find chardi. Has a very light coating of oak as the deep flavours of meal, grapefruit and subtle stone fruit drive the palate forward. It's perfectly balanced relying most on the quality of the fruit. Finishes wirth remarkable precision and focus. Score 92/100 Cellar 5 Years."
Ray Jordan's Wine Guide 2011

Reviewed: "Margarer River chardonnay is a great Australian wine type and qualirty is admirable consistent across the region. The '09 Juniper starts off with a rich, complex nose of fig syryp, stone fruits and well-modulated nutty barrel influence. It's lush but not heavy, finishing persistently with a whisper of spicy oak. (14 per cent alcohol; screw cap.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas. Pan-fried fish, chicken and almond stir-fry.
4.5 stars"
Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age Epicure, 1 March 2011

2009 Juniper Estate Cane Cut Riesling

Reviewed: "This really has a stamp of the region, with some grassy edges, plenty of fragrant cumquat and hints of nutty, savoury complexity. The palate's truly luscious and full-flavoured, with dried-apricot and peach flavours. Terrific acidity emerges through the finish and delivers sizzling precision. Terrific Wine. Score 93
Price $26.00 (375ml) Alc 10.5% Drink Now Closure Screwcap"
Nick Stock, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Wine Guide 2011

Reviewed: "A very luscious wine showing grassy. peachy characteristics, and balanced by just enough acidity."
Winewise Volume 26 Number 3 August 2010

2009 Juniper Crossing Shiraz

2011 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards - Silver Medal

2010 Juniper Crossing Tempranillo

2011 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards - Bronze Medal Top of Class

2008 Juniper Crossing Cabernet Merlot

Reviewed: "Bright crimson-purple; this fresh, light- to medium-bodied wine finished its fermentation in French oak, a technique that invariably enhances the integration of the oak and lifts the aroma of the red berry fruits."
James Halliday's 2012 Wine Companion, 90 points

Reviewed: "A wine with everything and everything in just the right place. It's a medium-bodied easy drinking number with good fruit concentration focused by a fine mix of oak and tannin. Lovely red berry and light minty plum pudding richness which remains balanced to a long finish."
Score: 91/100 Cellar: 4 years
Ray Jordan's WA Wine Guide 2011 & Fresh, The West Australian 18 Nov 2010

2010 Juniper Crossing Merlot

2011 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards - Bronze Medal

2010 Juniper Crossing Chardonnay

2011 Cowra Wine Show - Silver Medal

Just selected for serving in Qantas Business Class

Reviewed:: "Bright straw-green; strikes a near-perfect balance between delicate fruit and delicate oak, the two seamlessly interwoven. This wine is not about complexity, just drinkability, today or whenever."
James Halliday's 2012 Wine Companion, 90 points

2010 Juniper Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Reviewed: "A very fresh gooseberry scented and flavoured white with plenty of uncomplicated flavour backed by good acidity. ($20.00) 12.5% Screwcap. Highly Recommended"
Wineswise Volume 26 Number 6 - February 2011

Reviewed: Terrific value here. Plenty of attractive mango and necatrine fruits on the nose, some lemon citrus too. Neatly shaped palate with bright tropical and lemon citrus fruit flavours all neatly captured and balanced right throughout. 92 Points
Nick Stock, Wine 100 Magazine January/February 2011

Reviewed: Zesty little number, this, with its grassy edges and light herbal tones. The palate sings for its supper with plenty of lingering flavor, and a fresh lip smacking intensity. Score 90/100 Cellar: Drink now.
Ray Jordan’s 2011 WA Wine Guide

2009 Juniper Crossing Rose

Reviewed: "A tad frantic in getting this one written up as I would hate the 2010 vintage to hit my desk before getting this into print. Call it the last of the Summer wine, the time in the bottle, and on our tasting bench hasn’t hurt this at all. Indeed I like the lush fresh watermelon lift that this has all the way through. Made in the saignée method, it is soft tempered gentle and yet still imparted with succulence and character to the end. I await the 10. Try it with marinated pork Vietnamese style.
Drink Now. About $18. 13.5%. 88/100 – Very Good
Paul Ippolito, www.Paulippolito.com.au, 5 minute Wine Rush, 12 June 2010

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