Tom Garland

9.7

Harlan wine dinner at Quince with Will Harlan celebrating their Estate's 40th anniversary.

WINE
2020 Harlan Estate
2016 Harlan Estate
2011 Harlan Estate
2007 Harlan Estate
2002 Harlan Estate
1996 Harlan Estate

FOOD
spot prawn crudo
Smoked squab
Don Watson farm lamb
Spit roasted rib of beef
24 month aged comte souffle — a month ago

with Brenda

Johnno Harris

9.5

The Jimmy Watson winner is still in good shape and showing lovely elegance and charm. Better on night 1 vs night 2. Drink em up over the next 5 years I reckon. 👍🏽🍷 #westernvicshirazrocks 🍷👍🏽 — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Woodlands premium Cabernet every year is named after a family member. Shelley Anne is the wife of Stuart Watson, winemaker and part owner. The nose is herbal with notes of blackberry. I reckon I could pick this as Margaret River Cabernet in a blind tasting. On the palate vanillin oak is noticeable which is surprising at 15 years of age. Next night that vanilla oak was still poking through, which will probably always be there. The normal descriptors of bay leaf and cigar box somewhat subdued by the oak. One of my favourite Cabernets in Australia but not as much in 2008. 4 left in the cellar. It will be interesting to see any changes in the next 5 years. See previous note from November 2018. The 2009 the following year was an absolute stunner. Had another bottle of the 2008 37 weeks later on 12th November. Always a great bottle with a good BBQ Steak. Very Margaret River herbaceous and to be ultra critical this needs more mid palate fruit with blackberry and cassis to get a few more points. — 2 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Drinking this up. Not at the top of the what he usually does. See my July notes same vintage. Or? this is just not my favorite vineyard/terroir. — 2 months ago

Matt P

9.1

Really like this wine, Brian Watson brought it we had from Easter — 6 months ago

Jess

9.1

Pale lemon color.
Aromas of pear, citrus.
Dry. Flavors of pear, lime, guava, hint of herbal.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 1/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The 2nd of two vintage Cape Mentelle wines for Sunday lunch. A medium plus crimson red in colour. Notes of mulberry and herbaceous Margaret River characters. Even at 15 years a whiff of French oak. With time in decanter sweet red and black fruits revealed themselves on the medium plus bodied palate. Finishing with velvety tannins. A classic Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage - the first of 4 bottles from the cellar. Loved this with a Porterhouse Waygu score of 4. Cape Mentelle was one of the early stars of Margaret River, with David Hohnen at the helm they won 3 Jimmy Watson trophies in a row in the early 1980s. Nowadays owned by LVMH. Had another 52 weeks later on 7th January 2024 with consistent notes. Still have 2 left. Have next in 2025 and then the last one anytime up to 2028. I ended up having the 2nd last one on 8th June 2024 with consistent notes as previous. — 2 years ago

Dave Parker

9.4

Beautiful wine. Happy Summer!! — 3 months ago

Erik Longabardi

9.3

Fresh man. Whole cluster freshness with structure — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Initial aromas of oak, blackberry and black fruits in general. Quite sweet on the palate with the vanillin oak but pulled into Cabernet line with a leafy touch. After a while aromas of cedar and unburnt pipe tobacco. I remember in the early days Wolfgang Blass, the man, used to say “No Wood No Good”. Was his mantra and worked well for him with 3 Jimmy Watson Trophies until tasters developed more sophisticated tastes. Will drink the remaining couple of bottles in the next few years. Ended up having the next one (and 2nd last) 26 weeks later on 24th September 2023. Hadn’t changed much. It screams black currant and milk chocolate. Try and have the last one in 2026 when 20 years old. Still 93 points. — 2 years ago