For over 50 years now, the Margaret River region has been slowly expanding with no seeming end to the amount of land available for quality wine. Every year a new vineyard or winery appears that captures the attention of the wine show system; gaining respectability in the ever-competitive wine market that now reaches beyond the borders of Western Australia to the rest of the world.
One such newcomer is Brash vineyard. Established in 2000, it sold wine originally under the Woodside label. The main focus was grape growing with most of the crop being sold to other wineries. About 10% of the crop is currently used to make wines under the Brash label which equates to 250 cases, of each of the four wines offered, for sale. That’s a small quantity indeed.
The vines are planted in the Yallingup sub-region, which extends from Abbey’s Farm Road northwards to Dunsborough. According to Dr John Gladstones, a unique feature of this sub-region is that northerly and north easterly winds in summer must come across from Geographe Bay, which result in cooler days and warmer nights with higher relative humidities than in the more land-dominated areas. All of these factors are favourable for the quality wine production
Wines produced under the Brash label are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are expertly made by Bruce Dukes at Naturaliste Vintners. All are of silver or gold medal quality and represent the essence of Margaret River wine.
Brash 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh captivating aromas of fresh grass, citrus with fruity and floral overtones. Appealing in the mouth with lots of zing and minerality. Lovely to drink on its own but equally suitable to accompany seafood and spicy foods.
Brash 2016 Chardonnay
Lovely peach and grapefruit mingled with a sprinkle of fine oak barrel. This shows good balance, neither oaky nor overly fruity. Crisp and clean, medium-bodied with a long soft finish No rough edges here.
Brash 2015 Shiraz
Spice and black fruit aromas prominent on the bouquet. Supple fruit with a subtle background of oak make for a very approachable full-flavoured wine. Can easily be enjoyed now but will also keep for five plus years. This is definitely in the first division of Margaret River Shiraz
Brash 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Last but best of all in the tasting, this wine shows why Margaret River is a world class wine region. Cassis and plum give way to a hint of violets on the nose. Lovely balance of fine tannin and classy fruit. Whistle-clean with long satisfying finish. Attractive as it is now and it should be marvellous at 10 years of age.