REVIEWS

BUSH TRACK CHARDONNAY 2016 – 94 Points

Estate-grown chardonnay from Whorouly South in the Alpine Valleys. It’s the brand and estate of Bob and Helen McNamara, though the wine itself is made by Jo Marsh.

$25. For a chardonnay of this quality and interest. Remarkable. This is set-you-back-on-your-heels stuff. The only proviso is: it’s awash with sulphides, so if that isn’t your thing then look away. It blooms with stone fruit and grapefruit flavours too though, importantly, and carries on long through the finish; and the longer it sits in the glass the creamier and more integrated it becomes. This chardonnay rocks. I could smell it from across the room. And the taste went on and on.

Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Ovens Valley Alpine Valley Shiraz 2015

Gold Medal. Rating 95 points

BUSH TRACK WINES – 4 Stars/5 Glasses

Ovens Valley Alpine Valley Shiraz 2015

All class from its glorious dark purple hue to the glossy feel as it glides across the tongue. Full-bodied with supple tannins, integrated oak, and a whisper of eucalypt, pepper and juniper berries. A core of succulent fruit. Rating 95 and 5 Wine Glasses

Alpine Valleys Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Rating 92 and 4 Wine Glasses

James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

BUSH TRACK CHARDONNAY 2015

Grown on the Bush Track vineyard at Whorouly South in the Alpine Valleys.

Sweet with oak but shot with tangy fruit. It’s not a seamless marriage but time should bring them closer together. Vanilla cream meets stone fruit, melon and citrus. Plenty to wrap your lips around. Rated : 88+ Points
Drink : 2017 – 2020

Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

BUSH TRACK GRAPES OF WRATH RED 2016

A freak “twister” ripped through the Bush Track vineyard in the Alpine Valleys just prior to the 2016 vintage, decimating the crop – among other things. This wine was put together with some help from friends. It uses cabernet, petit verdot, merlot and durif I believe, donated by Alpine Valley and Beechworth vignerons. I don’t yet have a price. It tastes good. Bright jubey fruit, licks of anise and spice, floral highlights. There’s some grip but not too much. Good body. Plenty of flow. Crackles of spice, even mineral. Excellent drink from start to finish. Rated: 91 Points

Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

BUSH TRACK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013

Cabernet from Whorouly South in the Alpine Valleys.
It’s softening nicely. It smells of chocolate and lead pencil before gliding effortlessly into a solid, curranty, gently leathery palate. Tannin is firm-ish but the fruit talks it around. It will live for many years but it’s just starting to drink well now. Rated : 89 Points
Drink : 2017 – 2023+

Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

BUSH TRACK WINES – 5 Glasses/94 Points

Alpine Valley Chardonnay 2015

You can’t do much more with a single vineyard Alpine Valley chardonnay, starting with the best two Dijon clones (96 and 97). White peach and nectarine open proceedings, grapefruit and apple providing the end of the palate; the oak handling has been impeccable. 94 Points

James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion