The southern stretch of Margaret River is home to Alexandra Bridge wines, a range that David Pike discovers has transformed itself. Alexandra Bridge has just released their premium range of wines called 101 after their Brock- man Highway address.
The southern stretch of Margaret River is home to Alexandra Bridge wines, a range that David Pike discovers has transformed itself.
Alexandra Bridge has just released their premium range of wines called 101 after their Brock- man Highway address.
These wines show just part of the story of the remarkable transformation of a brand that was struggling to establish itself. Mike Calneggia and his Australian Wine Holdings have given the resources and direction needed including the appointment of wine-maker Phil Tubbs.
Phil worked with Bob Cartwright at Leeuwin Estate for 17 years and his experience in making quality wines shows. He has a very good understanding of the seasonal conditions and draws on this knowledge to select the timing of fruit picking and harvesting.
This inside knowledge coupled with the quality of Alexandra Bridge fruit equates to some very good results and there is little doubt that AWH has some great resources.
Chestnut Grove continues to produce one of the State’s (if not Australia’s) most awarded Merlot wines.
And Hayshed Hill, with some of Willyabrup’s oldest vines, has a new lease of life after the disastrous time it had under the Barrington Group’s control. It looks set to flourish again.
Alexandra Bridge 2002 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc rrp $19.50 16.50/20
This is an attractive blended wine with distinctive varietal herbal and herbaceous aromas, fresh notes of nectarine, grapefruit and a complementing broad bean character. The palate shows an abundance of rounded citrus fruits with a hint of tropical guava, some spice, and complementing acidity. A lively wine that screams ‘drink me now’.
Alexandra Bridge 2001 Shiraz rrp $24.50 18/20
This is a really vibrant Shiraz that begins to show the potential of Shiraz in the southern region of Margaret River. Bright attractive mulberry, plummy aromas lead the charge with an enticing undertone of red berry fruits that are in tune with oak influences. Sweet fruit combines with a savoury spice, black olive, dark cherry and ripe plum on the palate that shows plenty of length and a seductive finish. Worth a few bottles to make sure.
Alexandra Bridge 2001 101 Semillon
rrp $38 18.50/20
A wine with herbal aromas and a snow pea and lanolin character that combines with smoky oak on the nose. Integrated fruit and acidity across the palate ably handle the oak, citrus lemon and spice on the mid palate and you’ll find a length of flavour and persistence on the finish.
Alexandra Bridge 2001 101 Chardonnay
rrp $38 18.75/20
Vanillin oak influences dominate at present, however they sit in tune with the white peach, nectarine and grapefruit aromas. The powerful palate displays plenty of spice, nectarine and tropical citrus fruit flavours, and tucked underneath is an attractive layer of mineral notes. Chardonnay lovers will be lured by the complex charm this wine shows at present and the wine finishes with length and a seductive persistence.
