VINTAGE 2001

Shiraz

VINTAGE 2005

• Gold Medal (18.5) - Scoop Magazine 2007 Big Red Tasting
• Silver Medal – Cairns Wine Show Awards
• Bronze Medal –Perth Royal Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Boutique Wines  of Australia
• Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show
• 92/100 – James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007

VINTAGE 2004

• Gold Medal (18.5) - Scoop Magazine 2007 Big Red Tasting
• Silver Medal – Royal Hobart Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Winewise Small Winemakers Show
• Bronze Medal – Burswood Perth Royal Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show
• Bronze Medal – Commonwealth Bank Margaret River Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Blackwood Valley WA Boutique Winemakers Show
• 90/100 – Ray Jordan’s Guide to Western Australian Wine 2006/07
• 89/100 – James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007

VINTAGE 2003

• Bronze Medal – Cowra Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Royal Hobart Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Qantas Wine Show of WA
• Bronze Medal – Australian Boutique Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show
• Bronze Medal – Innvovest Margaret River Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Visy Board Great Australian Shiraz Challenge
• 90/100 – Ray Jordan’s Guide to Western Australian Wine 2004/05
• 87/100 – James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2006
• 16.5/20 – Scoop Autumn Edition New Release Reds
• Four Stars – Winestate Magazine

VINTAGE 2002

• Busby Trophy – National Wine Show of Australia
• Gold Medal – National Wine Show of Australia
• Gold Medal – Cowra Wine Show
• Gold Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show
• Gold Medal – Royal Hobart Wine Show
• Gold Medal – Boutique Wines of Australia
• Gold Medal – Macquarie Bank Sydney Royal Wine Show
• Silver Medal – Winewise Small Vigneron Awards
• Bronze Medal – National Cool Climate Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Burswood Perth Royal Wine Show
• Bronze Medal – Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia
• Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show - Qld
• Bronze Medal – Blackwood Valley WA Boutique Winemakers Show
• 93/100 - Ray Jordan’s Guide to Western Australian Wine 2006/07
• 94/100 – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2007

VINTAGE 2003

VINTAGE 2002

• Bronze Medal - Wesfarmers Landmark Margaret River Wine Show
  
• Bronze Medal - 2002 Australian Small Winemakers Show, QLD

Reviews

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition

Margaret River Chardonnay 2005 Potent fruit in ultra-typical Margaret River and Cape Grace style; long and very well balanced, with integrated oak; melon, nectarine and grapefruit; long finish.  Screwcap. 13.5º alc Rating 93 To 2014.

Margaret River Shiraz 2005 Youthful and fresh; vibrant colour and mouthfeel on entry suggest a releatively low pH; blackberry fruits and contrasting savoury finish to the initial fruit vibrancy.  Confused? So am I.  .  Screwcap. 13.5º alc Rating 92 To 2020.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.  Medium-bodied; varietal blackcurrant and cassis, with slightly disassociated tannins; time will certainly cure the issue, but the points are for the wine as it is today, not as it will be in the future. Screwcap. 14.5º alc Rating 90 To 2020.

WINEWISE – October 2007

OUTSTANDING – GOLD MEDAL

Cape Grace Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon – A very fragrant cabernet showing obvious cassis aromas and a subtle charry overtone.  The palate is long and vibrant and the tannins firm and fine.  Very much in the classic cabernet style.

SCOOP 2007 BIG RED TASTING

MARGARET RIVER SOUTH

…It also boasts shiraz, such as that from Stella Bella and Cape Mentell, with Rhone-like white and black pepper characteristics complementing a rich palate from the southernly vines.  The northerly wines produce a richer chocolaty spice as typified by wines from Cape Grace.

… Fourteen of the 25 awards wines were from established leading wineries Stella Bella, Cape Mentell, Voyager, and the smaller but excellent Cape Grace, which stole the show with two golds.

Cape Grace 2004 Shiraz – Gold (18.5)

A very dark wine with rich charry oak in the typical Cape Grace style, with a correspondingly big rich palate with nice fruit, weight and balance.  It finishes a bit firm thanks to the cool end to the vintage, but is very stylish with keeping potential.

Cape Grace 2005 Shiraz – Gold (18.5)

A rich dense ruby colour with heaps of charry oak makes this style a must for lovers of rich fruit and oak with refinement.  A very stylish wine that’s lovely to drink now, but with the excellent 2005 vintage showing through, it will repay short-term cellaring.  It shows more richness than its southern peers, with more oak than spice.

Cape Grace 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon – Bronze (16.5)

This wine completes the trifecta for Cape Grace in this tasting, with three of the three enteries winning awards – quite an achievement for its team.  The cabernet is not at the same level as the shiraz, but it showed well with its chocolaty nose, nice wieight middle palate fruit and clean, firm finish.  Possibly a wine to be drunk in the medium term, as it needs time to come together.

Review

RAY JORDAN’S GUIDE TO WINE 2006/07

“Chardonnay 2004.  Has picked up a lot since tasted last year.  Lots of charry toasty oak is quite evident.  It has a tight and bracing structure with complex grapefruit and fresh meal flavours.Sustained flavour. 93/100.”

“Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.  Has come together since tasted last year for the book and looks all the better for it.  Impressively deep and concentrated cabernet, plus a decent lick of oak and fine slightly assertive tannins.  90/100.”

“Shiraz 2004.  This is a beauty.  Everything is there and it’s all in the right place.  Delicious supple seamless palate is very classy.  It’s rich and chocolaty with great balance, releasing flavours of spice, cinnamon, plum and minty chocolate.  An appealing wine.  90/100.”

“Chenin Blanc 2006.  Tasted a tank sample and not rated.  But it looks to have some delightful fresh and fragrant fruit.  Look out for this one.

DECANTER MAGAZINE – August 2006

RAISING MARGARET - OTHERS TO WATCH 

The abundance of young fruit in the region means that many of the newer ventures are stronger in their white selections than red... A property that bucks this trend is Cape Grace, a tiny 6ha boutique winery whose strongest offering to date is the classic Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.  James Lawther MW - contributing editor of Decanter

JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION - 2007 Edition

4 STAR WINERY RATING

Margaret River Chardonnay 2004 A complex bouquet; positive á la mode, slightly funky barrel ferment aromas; a rich palate, but not over the top, with ripe nectarine and grapefruit; good finish. Screwcap 14º acl. Rating 94 Drink 2010

GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE June/July 2006

RISING STARS – CAPE GRACE

Former photographer Rob Karri-Davies heads up this interesting, family-run cellar door.  Deeply flavoured, cabernet from Wilyabrup is the highlight

                                                                                                                                                                                               

SCOOP MAGAZINE Winter 2006

Cape Grace 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (Awarded Bronze 15.5)

Good deep colour, with a light fruity nose with some oak.  Fruit weight and soft tannin structure were features of this fruit-driven wine, a classy clean medium length finish.

WINESTATE  March / April 2006

Regional Tasting South Western Australia

SHIRAZ  - 38 Tasted 23 recommended.

Cape Grace Margaret River Shiraz 2003 – 4 Stars

‘Funky’ nose, quite earthy and peppery. Big, full, sweet palate that is thick and chunky.  A wine with top fruit, silky tannins and a long, spicy finish.

 

DECANTER MAGAZINE – February 2006

Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting

‘Certainly Margaret River is the standout for Cabernet.’

CAPE GRACE MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON

‘Nice soft, fresh minty nose.  Lovely soft fruit with nice grainy oak. 

Very impressive.  Cellar 2 – 5 years. 

GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE June/July 2005

SPLENDOR IN THE GLASS Text Nick Bulleid MW

Four Masters of Wine were among the experts at a panel tasting that put the performance of Australasia’s top cabernets under the spotlight. Ask any wine lover which regions they look to for the best Australian cabernets and they’ll say Coonawarra and Margaret River. Talk to New Zealanders about cabernet sauvignon and Hawkes Bay is the only answer you could expect…We assembled a group of 60 wines, 20 from each of the three regions for this fascinating tasting. Five members of the panel – Peter Bourne, Andrew Caillard MW, Peter Forrestal, Huon Hooke and myself – were regular tasters, while Jancis Robinson MW and WINE’s New Zealand editor, Bob Campbell MW, were able to join us.

…Margaret River produced an extremely impressive group of wines, with the best showing excellent depth of flavour and the firm but balanced tannin structure that I expect.

2003 Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon $39.50

Another stylish wine, impressing Robinson in particular: “California-like ripeness. I’m impressed with the palate, which is tightly furled for the future.” It’s a medium-bodied wine with well-integrated oak and fine, ripe tannins. It needs a little time to develop complexity but has what it takes.

SCOOP NEW RELEASE REDS AUTUMN 2005

MARGARET RIVER NORTH

Expectations were high for this bracket, especially since the majority of examples were regional favourites – cabernet, merlot and blends … The real surprise was the prevalence of high quality shiraz.

Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, $39.50 Awarded: Bronze (16.5)

Leafy, mineral characters. The fruit is elegant, lean and fine, with grainy tannins providing length. The wine has sweet oak and chocolately complexity with a juicy finish.

2003 Cape Grace Shiraz 2003, $30 Awarded: Bronze (16.5)

Aromatic and spicy in a big mould with notable alcohol. This is a powerful wine with cedary oak and a forceful finish. Bound to be a crowd pleaser.

QANTAS MAGAZINE - AUTUMN 2005

THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Words Peter Forrestal

Included in the “Newish wineries Cape Grace”

Mention the words ‘Margaret River’ and people immediately think of wonderful wines.

Few people come to Margaret River without sampling its most famous product. The region is perfectly suited to growing chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon and, in the best years, the top sites will produce world-class wines from these grapes. The tope wines – Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay ($75), Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot ($85) and Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) – are expensive; but many people who pay top dollar for European and Californian wines consider these Margaret River drops to be very reasonably priced.

…Most commentators believe that Margaret River challenges South Australia’s Coonawarra for the mantle of Australia’s best cabernet producer. …Wines from new producers Juniper Estate, Cape Grace, Higher Plane, Thompson Estate, Edwards – are all well worth tasting, while Woodlands is enjoying a revival of its fortunes.

WESTCOAST MAGAZINE – January 2005

SHIRAZAMATAZZ WA’s best shiraz buys

“Cape Grace Shiraz 2003. Nicely put together, this is fresh up front with sweet ripe plumy spicy fruit and oak and soft acidity. Yet to hit its straps. 3½ Glasses / 5”

…Our love affair with locally grown shiraz, the quintessential red grape, knows no bounds. We have an affinity with the variety its distinctive style and generally regional identity. It is grown in virtually all wine regions of Australia, offering unmistakable regional identity and it makes wines that are the equal of anything in the world…

RAY JORDAN’S GUIDE TO WINE 2004/05

“Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. Simply stunning aroma of deeply scented blackcurrant with a little black olive and bay leaf character. The gentle waft of light cedar sits neatly in there. The palate is all elegance and style but with real depth and intensity. Very impressive wine with up to five years in the cellar. 91/100”

“Shiraz 2003. Lovely perfumed aromas of plum-ladden fruit, cedar and a little cinnamon. The palate is silky with a velvety seamless texture. Great balance with fine ripe tannins supporting a long refined flavour profile. 90/100”

“Chardonnay 2003. Continues the impressive early run with chardonnays from these guys. Opens to a compelling mix of powerful lemon scented melon aromas, mingled with traces of cashew. The palate is very long and intense with good vanillin oak and creamy rich fruit balanced with crisp acid and a tart hint of grapefruit. 88/100”

“Chenin Blanc 2004. Described as the veranda wine by the Karri-Davies. It has lovely soft ripe rounded tropical fruits with good flavour intensity and a pleasant flavoursome palate. Easy drinking style. 85/100”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2004 published by DECANTER in association with the Wine Industry of Western Australia :

GO WEST The regions of Western Australia have their own styles, terriors and star grape varietities, and some are more established than others. All of them are worth getting to know, says PETER FORRESTAL

MARGARET RIVER: Area under vine: 2,200 hectares. Varieties: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot.

Leading producers: Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Leeuwin Estate, Howard Park, Moss Wood, Pierro and Voyager Estate. Also Brookland Valley, Cape Grace, Devil’s Lair, Edwards, Evans & Tate, Gralyn, Suckfizzle and Xanadu

….In the early days there was much experimentation in Margaret River to determine which varieties best suited the region. The best are still Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and there is a consensus that top Chardonnays will be increasingly sourced from areas south of the Margaret River township, …while the finest Cabernets will come from the gravelley loam soils of Wilyabrup, from Cullen, Moss Wood, Gralyn, Howard Park, Brookland Valley, Lenton Brae and Cape Grace.

RISING STARS Peter Forrestal

BOUTIQUE WINERIES

Some of those breaking new ground in WA only produce small quantities and so their wines may be difficult to get hold of… Cape Grace, established in 1996, is a rare vineyard, which gets amazing concentration of flavour from its young vines. Situated on the gravelley loam soils of Wilyabrup, it produces classy Chardonnay, very good Shiraz and standout Cabernet, which is rich, deeply flavoured and lushly textured.

STM THE SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE October 17, 2004

NEW KIDS ON THE WINE BLOCK

Words Gail Williams

When Cape Grace’s cabernet sauvignon was named the best individual wine at the WA Sheraton Wine awards in 2001 a low murmur went around the room. “Cape Grace? Who is Cape Grace? What is Cape Grace?” were the questions whispered as fledgling winery owners Robert and Karen Karri-Davies sat back and permitted themselves a small smug smile.

The trophy and the gold medal for their first vintage, featuring the great egret on its label, were fitting rewards for five years of hard slog in establishing their Cowaramup winery. They were also avid testimonies to self-belief.

The couple’s long-held view that there was room in the West Australian market for a handcrafted, luxury wine, using only grapes grown as naturally as possible in their own vineyard, had been validated. Fast-forward to 2004 and the wine has a cult following through exclusive liquor stores such as La Vigna, Nedlands Park, Rossmoyne Cellars, Mends Street Wine Bin, Swanbourne Cellars and City Beach Fine Wines. The 2002 cabernet sauvignon , which sells for $38 a bottle is sold out – and is among 14 award wines for 2002 Cape Grace wines. Production has increased from the initial 500 cases to 2000 in 2004, featuring chenin blanc, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.

Self-belief is something Robert Karri-Davies has never been short of since he left school at age 16 to pursue a career in photography. It was evident when he was a welder and oil-rig worker and now as a self-taught viticulturalist and winemaker under the guidance of consultant Mark Messenger. Karen, a sales and marketing professional whom he met while working in Calgary, Canada, believed in him enough to relocate south with their two daughters to live in a shed on the property.

“He’s a real renaissance man,” she says. “He’s capable of a variety of things – he’s an artist, a hard worker, a creator. We moved down here when our youngest daughter was three weeks old.”

That was after a year spent searching for just the right parcel of land. They found 12ha, half of which is now under vines, that Dr Tom Cullity unsuccessfully tried to buy to establish Vasse Felix, which he eventually founded 2 km to the north.

In identifying and securing the property, Karri-Davies appears to have inherited the business savvy along with the drive shown by his great-grandfather, Maurice Coleman Davies. Maurice was a West Australian pioneer who is best known for building the Hamelin Bay port and jetty and starting the timber town of Karridale.

Now Robert is getting his own measure of fame. “After years of being a photographer, I was looking around for another romantic pursuit,” he says. “It sort of came up through osmosis. A few of my friends were talking about vineyards. I thought if I go into it, I’m going to do it properly. I knew I had to buy the land close to the big boys – Vasse Felix, Cullen’s. And I knew from real estate it was all about location, location. I had been doing research and knew I had to have good soils and I knew I had to be near other wineries.”

They planted in the spring of 1996 and Robert spent the first year driving backwards and forwards from East Fremantle until they moved into the shed in 1997. Both Robert and Karen were involved in a hands-on way, from planting to pruning, picking and then overseeing each stage of production. Karen now spends her time in cellar-door sales from their rustic tin shed and handles promotion and marketing of the wines.

“Within 12 months I knew we would make the very best wine,” says Robert. “Being small we identified we couldn’t be something for everybody and it was going to take us longer to develop our reputation. We felt that, long term, once you have started drinking good wine there is no going back.” And there’s no going back for the couple.

“We’re pretty firmly entrenched here,” says Karen.

The 2003 cabernet sauvignon, which sells for $39.50, will be released in limited supply (3122 bottles) this month.

JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION - 2005 Edition

4½ STAR WINERY RATING

Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Deeply coloured; luscious, ripe blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit; powerful tannins; needs time, which will repay.
Rating 93
Drink 2017

Shiraz 2002

Fresh, fragrant red fruits, quite different from the 2001; medium-bodied; excellent fruit/oak balance; fine, soft tannins.

Rating 91
Drink 2012

Chardonnay 2002

Light to medium-bodied; well-balanced melon/nectarine fruit and oak; will develop well.

Rating 89
Drink 2007

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD February 3, 2004

GOOD DRINKING WINE HOUN HOOK

THE PROMISED LAND

New producers make Margaret River wines more affordable.

The Margaret River wine region has come a long way in a short time: the latest tourist map lists 70 wineries where 25 years ago there were just a handful…

The region’s senior wineries, Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Moss Wood, Leeuwin Estate and Vasse Felix, produce some of the greatest of all Australian wines but their famous cabernets and chardonnays are now very expensive. Happily for customers, there is a constant process of renewal going on…

On a recent visit I was mightily impressed by Cape Grace, a newie established near Cowaramup by Robert Karri-Davies. Again the reds are most memorable and I was blown away by his ‘01s. He was using a plastic trailer tank, towed by a 4WD, to take his new wines off to the bottler when I dropped in, so the quantities are tiny.

These are wines of concentration and optimal ripeness that can stand beside the region’s very best.
While are very reasonable at $48 for the ’02 cab and $29 for the ’02 shiraz, you’ll have to move fast to get any.

The Karri-Davies planted their 15 acre vineyard in 1996, so the vines are young but former Cape Mentelle and now Juniper Estate winemaker Mark Messenger consults, which can only be a good thing.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL May 2004

BOUTIQUE WINERY MARKETING AWARD
Presented to

CAPE GRACE WINES

Cape Grace Wines have demonstrated outstanding attributes in marketing their wine business and satisfied all criteria for successful promotion.

The judges consider the strategies behind the marketing will contribute to success for the winery for years to come.

The Boutique Winery Marketing Awards are proudly sponsored by: Radio Mix 94.5 and CMS Events

RAY JORDAN

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN January 15, 2004

WINE MAKERS TO WATCH

…Cape Grace Wines (on Fifty One Road, Cowaramup) has made quite an impact in just a few years and really impressed me with its range of reds and whites. This vineyard established by Robert and Karen Karri-Davies on the headwaters of the Willyabrup Valley is on the site originally chosen by Dr Tom Cullity to establish the first vines in the area.

The Karri-Davies have taken a thoroughly professional approach in both the vineyard and winemaking, currently done under consultant. Minimum sprays, no insecticides, wild ducks and guineafowls to control insects, and meticulous canopy management are all part of it.

I have been impressed with both the cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, though the chardonnay has already shown itself to be exceptional.

RON SPENCER

WESTCOAST MAGAZINE – January 2004

SHIRAZAMATAZZ WA’s best shiraz buys.

“Cape Grace Shiraz 2002. This youngster is destined for a big future. Sweet, ripe, plumy fruit with pepper and spices are all packaged in a creamy, nicely balanced package that is altogether far too easy to drink.

4½ Glasses / 5”

PETER FORRESTAL

‘Wines of the future’ THE BULLETIN Dec 16, 2003 – Jan 13, 2004
2002 Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon $35

"Keen to challenge the established superstars, the next generation of Margaret River cabernets is hovering in the wings: Suckfizzle, Howard Park ‘Leston’, Devil’s Lair, Gralyn, Voyager and Lenton Brae. While the volume of production at Cape Grace is minuscule, its Cabernet Sauvignon has amazing richness, concentration and velvety texture. As the vines are only seven years old, this must, indeed, be a special site".

Ray Jordan’s Western Australia Wine Guide 2003/04

“ Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. No mistaking where this comes from - heartland Margaret River. Reveals a bouquet of blackcurrant and some mint characters with a slight hint of dusty oak. The palate is delightfully seamless, yet with an underlying power and concentration.
It’s a quality statement. 92/100”

“Shiraz 2002. Excellent variety shiraz strikes out from the first sniff. The savoury earthy plum and dark cherry offers a complex mix on the nose. The palate is firm yet with a supple cloak of Shiraz wrapped around the solid structural core. Has a certain silkiness you don’t often get in Margaret River. 91/100”

“Chardonnay 2002. A quality follow-up to the 2001, which won a silver medal at the Sheraton Wine Show. Beautiful aroma of cashew and creamy chardonnay with a bracing cut of grapefruit and citrus tang. The palate is nicely integrated and woven with fruit and oak. Excellent texture and finesse. 89/100”

“Chenin Blanc 2002. It’s interesting that these guys have decided to have this variety in their portfolio. Still, it appears to be working well for them, producing a simple fruity well-priced wine. This has terrific mouth feel and focus with wonderful fruit flavours. Love the passionfuit flavours. 84/100”

For more information about Ray Jordan’s Western Australia Wine Guide 2003/04, please contact jane.sterry@wanews.com.au Tel: 08 9482 3077.

Bill Thompson
The Sunday Times Food & Wine October 19, 2003

2002 Cape Grace Shiraz $29

This wine won a silver medal at this year’s Burswood Perth Royal Wine Show. It has heaps of dark and red cherry flavours made complex by hints of liquorice and nutmeg. The tannins are softly protective and acid is still available. I would tuck this away for a year or three. It will emerge beautifully.

James Halliday’s
Australian Wine Companion 2004 Edition

Ten of the best new wineries. My heading for this piece has been chosen with particular care. This is not the ten best new wineries, simply because I do not have the wisdom of Solomon, and in a field of 241 new wineries I doubt that even Solomon could come up with a fail-safe list. I have tried to provide a spread of regions, but beyond that it all becomes very difficult.

Cape Grace (page 79) Margaret River

Self-taught viticulturist and winemaker Robert Karri-Davies and sales and marketing partner Karen Karri-Davies have wasted no time, with outstanding Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from both 2000 and 2001.

AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE
October/ November 2003

Hot 100 wine experiences

“Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE has surveyed the Australian wine landscape, canvassing its expert and well-travelled contributors, who are out and about in wine regions, tasting and keeping in touch with the industry, to bring you the 100 best wine experiences from 2003. Some will be well-known, others hopefully will surprise and inspire you to seek them out” complied by Kate Nunn

Exciting Australian Wines in 2003

2001 Cape Grace Shiraz: “(With the 2001 cabernet sauvignon not far behind). Both flooded with fruit, but not over-extracted.” James Halliday.

James Halliday - Winepros December 2001

Cape Grace Shiraz 2001
James Halliday Oct 08 2002
Rating: 95 out of 100

Intense, dense purple-red; clean, powerful dark fruit aromas drive the bouquet, the palate exuding black plum and licorice and supple, ripe tannins. Should repay extended cellaring. Gold medal Qantas Wine Show 2002. Best Drinking: 2005 to 2015

Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
James Halliday Oct 08 2002
Rating: 94 out of 100

Intense, inky purple-red; the dense blackcurrant fruit of the bouquet moves through into a powerful and long palate, replete with red and blackcurrant fruit and savoury tannins. Tied with the Cape Grace Shiraz of the same year as the top two gold medals in a class of 138 wines at the 2002 Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia.
Best Drinking: 2007 to 2017

Cape Grace Chardonnay 2001
James Halliday Sep 23 2002
Rating: 88 out of 100

Medium yellow-green; the complex bouquet shows strong barrel ferment oak inputs, the palate similarly dominated by oak, although the fruit fights bravely and may develop. The silver medal in the Chardonnay class at the Sheraton Wine Awards 2002. Terrific if you like lashings of oak.
Best Drinking: 2002 to 2004

Cape Grace Chenin Blanc 2001
James Halliday Sep 23 2002
Rating: 86 out of 100

Light straw-green; the bouquet is clean, quite crisp but relatively neutral, but the palate picks up flavour, intensity, and - in particular - length. The fruit flavours are in the tropical spectrum; all in all, far better than the usual bland offerings of this variety.
Best Drinking: 2002 to 2003

Ray Jordan

WINE - WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S BEST
Published by The West Australian – November 2002

Ray’s Top Drops

“It seems most wine books these days have a little section where they choose the best wines and sometimes the best wineries. Well, at the risk of being totally unoriginal I’m going to do the same.”

The Best Producers

Rising Star – Cape Grace Wines

“Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 – This is so concentrated, it is almost syrupy. The smells of savoury mint chocolate with heaps of blackcurrant are classically Margaret River. The palate has a fabulous concentrated intensity. Then it turns on the turbo charger and powers the wine to a sustained and beautifully weighted finish. This is a class act”. 92/100

“Shiraz 2001 – There is something almost Great Southern about this shiraz. It has the Margaret River power and firmness through the middle, but a softer fleshier side wrapped around. Beautiful peppery savoury characters and a lush fine texture. This a beauty”. 90/100

“Chardonnay 2001 – This wine confirms the great promise already shown by this new vineyard. It won a silver medal at the Sheraton Show and is classic Margaret River; it’s all style and power with subtlety and finesse. The palate is marvellously intense with cashew and grapefruit characters trickling through the structure. The sustained palate is powered by great fruit and perfectly weighted oak. A super wine.” 91/100

“Chenin Blance 2001 – You need wines like this. Nothing to ponder, nothing to think about – simply put it in a glass and enjoy the vibrant freshness of tropical fruits. A little touch of fruit sweetness with a lifted lively finish. Easy drinking.” 82/100

The West Australian Newspaper - Wine November 21, 2002

Promise bears fruit . . . A decision to try a new direction in life has resulted in a successful vineyard and winery for Robert Karri-Davies. An early gong at the Sheraton Wine Awards . . . was a stunning success and already Cape Grace has followed up with other successes to prove it was no flash in the pan.

Ray Jordan also wrote "In the last year or so I have been mightly impressed with the quality of wines coming from Cape Grace. The reds in particular are outstanding with the depth of fleshy opulent fruit being a hallmark. As you would expect, the quality of the cabernet is exceptional and more than vindicated the qualities of this site.

But I have also been impressed with the shiraz, which has an almost Great Southern softness and suppleness about it. The current release is the 2001 and it's a beauty. Then there's the chardonnay. This is one of the best value-for-money chardonnays available in Margaret River, combining power, subtlety and finesse in a classic Margaret River interpretation of the variety.

Cape Grace is a name you are going to hear a lot more about. Check it out."

Bill Thompson

Sunday Times Food & Wine October 27, 2002

2001 Cape Grace Shiraz - With a gold and bronze medal to its name already, this is drinking well now but will be at its best a couple of years down the track. The nose offers soft plum and spicy, ripe raspberry aromas while the palate delivers boldly with flavours of black cherry and just a touch of liquorice. Fruit acids are still in play, as are oak and fruit tannins. It's a beaut wine, well suited to top-notch veal or beef casseroles.

Peter Rigby

Travelextra The West Australian August 31, 2002

Cape Grace - Owned by Robert & Karen Karri-Davies, this new and dynamic small winery is already winning awards and the attention of wine critics and connoisseurs. Their vineyard is living proof that boutique wineries are alive and thriving in the area. Growing vines under the house flag of the pioneering South-West Davies clan,and just a stone's throw from the star labels of Willyabrup Valley, Cape Grace is a must-stop-and-taste Margaret River operator.

Peter Forrestal

Australian Gourmet Traveller - WINE June/July 2002

The most impressive debut of recent times has been the reds from this small Willyabrup vineyard. Deeply concentrated, velvety, stylishly crafted.

Ray Jordan - June 2002

Cellar Notes - Cape Grace Shiraz 2000

An impressive release from this Margaret River newcomer. This has layers of savoury, plummy fruit aromas leading to a rich and deeply flavoured palate. The tannins are pleasantly fine and the oak well handled. The palate builds to a long, lingering finish with a fine acidity providing a nice lift. Score: 89/100 Drink: Now to 2007 Food: Italian sausage and mash.

Lester Jesberg - Winewise

The Small Vigneron Awards - June 2002

Cape Grace 2000 Chardonnay - A big rich chardonnay with drying oak. Acceptable Score.

2001 Cape Grace Chenin Blanc - An excellent Chenin offering ripe peachy flavour with minerally chalky hints. The fruit sweetness is well balanced by crisp acidity. Highly recommended Score.

West Coast Magazine - November 2001

Western Australian Shiraz Tasting

Big, ripe, fruity Margaret River style with loads of spice and oak. Will certainly, develop more complexity as it gets its act together with age. Good one to put down - 8 to 10 years.

Score: 4½ out of 5 - Better than the average commonly available wine in its class. Well worth trying.

Winestate March / April 2002

Southwest Regional Tasting

CHENIN BLANC - 3 Tasted 1 recommended.

Cape Grace Chenin Blanc 2001 - rating 3 stars. Fresh perfumed nose; a good clean lift. Some herbaceous notes. Soft and slightly broad palate. Fresh fruit flavours, soft and delicately sweet. Clean, crisp acid finish.

CHARDONNAY - 33 Tasted 18 recommended. Overall these wines still looked very young. A very good class showing great oak and acid handling with plenty of 'piney' oak characters evident. Generally these wines were made in the leaner style without the high alcohol and overblown characters.

Cape Grace Chardonnay 2000 - rating 3½ stars. Big, developed, okay nose. Some minerally complexity. Long, sweet, hot phenolic palate. Good acid and finesse.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 30 Tasted 12 recommended. An even class of inoffensive wines without faults, however too many lacked enough character to be recommended. "There needs to be more work on varietal distinction and personality here," suggested one judge.

Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - rating 4 stars. Lifted chocolate/mint aromas and nice creamy vanillin oak. Delicious, sweet, rich palate. Lovely chocolate and blackberry fruit flavours with spicy hints. Warm and long with solid tannins.

SHIRAZ - 24 Tasted 14 recommended. Some smart wines here but also some 'green' fruit ones. The Margaret River wines show lovely savoury characters and fruit cake and spice overtones. Many had spicy, blueberry characters without the oak being overdone, which was good to see.

Cape Grace Shiraz 2000 - rating 4 stars. Creamy/raspberry nose, nice oak lift. Good palate of red berries, hint of creamy vanilla and 'funky' toasty oak. Big tannins.

Winestate - March / April 2002

New Releases

SHIRAZ - 31 Tasted 14 recommended. A good all-round group of wines showing shiraz consistently across vintages. The best had complexity of oak and ripe but soft fruit with a firm tannin finish. Serious wines!

Cape Grace Shiraz 2000- rating 5 stars. Excellent Colour, with a depth of vibrant purple. A stylish nose of vanillin oak over lovely stone fruit with a hint of nuttiness. Beautifully soft, round palate. Rich sweet fruit with nice astringency and alcohol. "A classic shiraz" thought the judges.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 15 Tasted 6 recommended. A class of quite forward wines for their age. The top wines had bright purple colours, freshness of fruit and nice oak balance. Some astringency at this stage is quite acceptable.

Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon - rating 4½ stars. Excellent deep vibrant purple colour. Powerful and intense lifted ripe fruit and vanillin oak with a touch of aldehyde present. Lovely sweet fruit depth and some balancing astringent oak. A great palate that needs some time. "A Keeper".