Ghost Rock Winery

97++ Points - Stuart McCloskey “It takes time to unfurl, but when it does, it’s a dreamboat of aromatics. From the outset, the French oak (38% new) is obvious and adds a pencil shaving freshness. With aeration (decant for an hour or so) the aromatic fruit develops with orange zest, raspberry and a lovely brightness from red berries - there’s a pretty savoury complexity too. The palate is tensile, medium bodied – the tannins providing a cloaking hug to the fruit. It feels natural and unforced. I find the harmony and elegance particularly enjoyable. All-in-all, a wine which offers supreme elegance without being sparing on fruit. The finish is super long with a slight tingle coming from an almost sorbet like blood orange finish. Delicious now but will only get better with time in the cellar (10 years maximum). Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware”

97+ - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The ’18 Bonadale Chardonnay is displaying both vibrant and youthful characteristics ranging from buttered citrus, lemon oil, spring flowers, spiced orchard fruit – a faint waft of pastry cream is building… The vineyard is elevated and sun-exposed providing wonderful depth and roundness mid-palate, which works a treat with the chewy extract. Minerals (chalk in particular) provides structure and some textural grip. Tensile, finely tuned (fine boned is stature) and despite the exposure to the sun, provides a ‘cool’ feel which may be indicative of the vintage. The fruit is ample, ripe and the balance is nigh on perfect. It is easy to imagine how this wine will evolve over the next ten years – the shoulders will broaden, the minerality and acidity will scale back, allowing buttery, orchard fruits to flourish. Really exquisite without the bottle age. Decant for 30 minutes, do not overchill and serve using Zalto Bordeaux glassware”

97 - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey - "The bouquet is highly finessed with orchard fruits, fine floral notes, whispers of brioche and almond. The palate is equally fresh, incisive and shows all the hallmarks of elegance and grace which Chardonnay can deliver. I believe the ’15 Catherine Cuvée has reached an important crossroads which is exciting. Today, it’s charming, tensile and carries crystalline purity with ease, but and with a little aeration, the wine opens beautifully to reveal layer upon layer of fruit with touches of honey. I believe this will turn a corner in five or so years to reveal a real gem as all the qualities and characteristics are peering through – it is tightly wound for the time being. This has been a true joy to sample and is certainly one of the region's very best. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Do not overchill."

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Such a pretty bouquet filled with ripe, sweet red berries, peony, rose hip and lots of spice. The palate is medium bodied and presents itself incredibly well (given it’s their most recent release). Youthfulness contrasts so well with the wine’s generous core of fruit. The mouthfeel is ample, fleshy with some textural grip (the tannins melt). The flavour profile is impressive and fans out fabulously. The acidity is racy and provides a lovely freshness minutes after the wine has escaped your palate… This also provides the opportunity to examine those lingering flavours of sweet raspberry, blood orange and wild berries. A very promising Tassie Pinot Noir which would certainly benefit from a few years in the cellar (consume within 5-8 years). Very impressive for such a young release. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

96-97 Points - Magdalena Sienkiewicz “The perfume exudes with aromatic elderflower, tropical notes of guava, lychee and freshly cut pineapple. There is also a beautifully floral lift with a whiff of slaty minerals, which provides an elegant sheen. The texture is impressive, and not only a nod to the quality of the fruit but the barrel fermentation and barrel ageing. Delightfully juicy with some of the same floral characters unfolding with elderflower, lychee and hints of spiced pear in the background. Almost a crack of black pepper. The finish is impressive and long – the flavours expand and continue for several minutes. This will keep a few years in the cellar however, I enjoy today’s youthfulness. Served using Zalto Universal glassware.”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay. I like the nose very much as it wafts from my glass with a crescendo of red berries, pomegranate, crisp green apples and chalk. The palate is super fresh and comes across more succulent and fuller compared to the Cuvee Catherine. The mousse is rich and the mid palate weight adds further depth and a lovely mouthfeel. The fruit is fresh and sings with ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, pomegranate and a little bitter orange rind on the long finish… I detect a little chalkiness and salinity too, which brings a welcome distinction to the fruit. The balance is textbook and the structure provides some girth. I like it very much, but I feel the cold, outside temperature and driving rain is playing havoc with my senses (take note to my score!) - the colour and flavours talk to me of the summer and not the deep winter. Unquestionably, this drinks fabulously now, but I would like to see a further five years bottle age. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Do not overchill.”