Flametree Margaret River Shiraz 2023

The palate has plenty of cherries, plums, scorched earth, liquorice and spice. The introduction of stems and a larger percentage of wild fermented batches has given the wine greater complexity and added texture. Soft extraction techniques, cooler ferment temperatures and open fermenters has resulted in a wine with lifted perfume, dark fruit flavours and fine tannin structure.

"Lots to enjoy here – from the dark purple hue and heady aromatics to the supple palate – and nothing out of place. Sweet dark plums are spiced with licorice, sumac and a more savoury woody/nutty note. The fuller-bodied palate is rather buoyant and supple, although with plentiful tannins. The texture of hazelnut skins adds shape and the juicy acidity is refreshing, so this finishes on a high note.  Rating: 95 points.  Jane Faulkner.  Halliday Wine Companion. 

"A potent mix of blood plums, steeped boysenberries and squashed mulberries. Black olives sit side by side with rosemary and thyme. A hint of clove studs and granitic, sandy potting soil. There is almost a pillow of blue fruit too, its assertive tannins provide the framework to hang the lush fruit upon. A sappy wine with stuffing that manages to still have an ease to the drinkability and leisure like quality of the overall product. It’s tip top! Drink now or will cellar well for another 2-4 years. This would look the bees knees beside a butchers trimmed lamb cutlet."  Rating: 93. Shanteh Wale.  The Wine Piolot

"Flametree, owned by the Towner family (John, Liz, Rob and Annie), has had extraordinary success since its first vintage in 2007. The usual practice of planting a vineyard and then finding someone to make the wine was turned on its head: a state-of-the-art winery was built, and grape purchase agreements signed with growers in the region. Show success was topped by the winning of the Jimmy Watson Trophy with its '07 Cabernet Merlot. If all this were not enough, Flametree has secured the services of winemaker Cliff Royle." 5 Star Winery - James Halliday