Cloudburst Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Deep ruby red, sweet black cherry and loganberry, cassis pastille (something I often get in great Cabernet from Australia, as the flavours are so concentrated and pure). No hard edges, this has tannins but they are wrapped in chocolate, with smoked rosemary, anis, turmeric, wild herbs and spices. It rises up to met you and doesn’t let go, handling a difficult growing season with ease. Acidity is fresh, giving a kick on the finish, suggesting that this need another three to four years in bottle. Great stuff from owner Will Berliner. 175 of 2888 bottles, 3.71ph. Harvest March 29-30, 3.371ph. Biodynamic farming across the entire estate, but no certification.
Score: 96
ABV% 13.4 | Drinking Window: 2023-2040 | Drinkability: Hold
Producer: Cloudburst | Appellation: Margaret River
Cloudburst Margaret River Chardonnay 2019
A whole different level of Chardonnay, so much complexity and nuance. The aromatics on this are full and rich yet the texture is precise and pointed. Creamy texture, great length, generous and seductive apricot pit, lemongrass and slate-scraping citrus, inching forward a slow shuffle at a time. Wet stone minerality, acidity that is well judged - high enough to build freshness though the palate, but not over the top, despite this being a cooler growing season and a harvest that was two weeks later than average. Juicy on the finish, and wine that it is hard to put down. Joyful Chardonnay. Number 762 of 2288 bottles. 3.71ph, wild yeast fermentation Biodynamic farming across the entire estate, but no certification. Tasted twice.
Score: 97
ABV% 13.8 | Drinking Window: 2021-2028 | Drinkability: Ready to Drink
Producer: Cloudburst | Appellation: Margaret River
Cloudburst Margaret River Melbec 2018
Inky purple colour, love the nose on this. Velvety texture that trips along the tongue that has grooves that stop it being too smooth, slowing down the travel through the palate. Plenty of black chocolate, roasted cloves, all-spice, bright blueberry and black pepper. No need to wait to long for this - you could give it another few years but you don’t want to miss this juicy mouthwatering freshness. 3.82ph. Bottle 98 of 1200. Delightful and extremely moreish. There is an energy in this that elevates it above your average Malbec, and makes me think of Jesse Katz’s Devil Proof from Sonoma, another exceptional example of this grape outside of its traditional regions of Argentina or Cahors.
Score: 95
ABV% 13.4 | Drinking Window: 2022-2026 | Drinkability: Hold
Producer: Cloudburst | Appellation: Margaret River