GALAFREY WINES

James Halliday Wine Reviews

James Halliday Reviews 2008 Galafrey Wines , Premium Wines Mount Barker WA

RATING 91 Galafrey Mount Barker Riesling 2006
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2016
Date tasted: 30/11/2006
Alcohol:12%
An intriguing mix of apple, citrus and a hint of
lavender on the bouquet; the light to medium-bodied
palate is clean and crisp, bordering on delicate; very
good acidity. Value plus.
RATING 88 Galafrey Mount Barker Sauvignon Blanc
2006
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2008
Date tasted: 30/11/2006
Alcohol:13%
A clean, grassy/herbal/gooseberry mix, though not
overmuch intensity.

RATING 93 Galafrey Reserve Mount Barker Riesling 2006
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2016
Date tasted: 30/11/2006
Alcohol:11.5%
Similar flavours to the varietal version, but more
length and intensity, and a fraction more appleaccented
flavours.

RATING 94 Galafrey Mount Barker Riesling 2004
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2015
Date tasted: 15/5/2006
Alcohol:13%
Still as fresh as a daisy, a lovely crisp wine; plenty of
citrus and passionfruit, and has evolved splendidly
over the past 18 months.

RATING 92 Galafrey Mount Barker Riesling 2003
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2013
Date tasted: 15/5/2006
Alcohol:12%
Still pale green-straw; a slow, leisurely but sure
development; tangy citrus and mineral flavours; a
long, balanced finish.

RATING 90 Galafrey Mount Barker Riesling 2005
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2015
Date tasted: 15/5/2006
Alcohol:12%
Crisp, firm spice, mineral and citrus; good balance
and length is slightly closed and needs time.

RATING 89 Galafrey Mount Barker Riesling 2001
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2009
Date tasted: 15/5/2006
Alcohol:12%
Bright green-yellow; has a blast of flavour from a
touch of volatile acidity lift, but is nonetheless
interesting.

RATING 87 Galafrey Reserve Chardonnay 2003
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2008
Date tasted: 15/7/2006
Alcohol:14%
Yellow-gold; very developed, complex, mediumbodied
wine with a slightly phenolic finish. Quality
cork.

RATING 89 Galafrey Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2010
Date tasted: 15/7/2006
Alcohol:13.5%
Savoury, earthy blackcurrant fruit plus a touch of
olive; good texture and length; ripe tannins.

RATING 87 Galafrey Mount Barker Muller Thurgau 2005
Variety: Whites other
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2009
Date tasted: 26/5/2006
Alcohol:11.5%
Muller thurgau is a German workhorse, but this wine
has been cunningly made, the touch of residual sugar
complementing the passionfruit and citrus flavours;
may well improve in bottle, though that is not the
raison d'

James Halliday Reviews 2010 Galafrey Wines , Premium Wines Mount Barker WA

RATING 93 Galafrey Dry Grown Mount Barker Merlot 2006
Variety: Merlot
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2015
Date tasted: 2/12/2008
Alcohol:13.5%
Good colour; quite a savoury bouquet with black olive
and plum in evidence; quite firm on the palate, where
a sweetness of fruit combines with cedary complexity;
deliberate finesse and purpose; long and very dry
finish.

RATING 93 Galafrey Dry Grown Mount Barker Shiraz 2005
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2016
Date tasted: 2/12/2008
Alcohol:12.5%
Vibrant colour; rich and ripe with an abundance of
red fruits and spice; medium-bodied with lively
acidity and ripe, fine-grained tannins; a hint of
complexing leather frames the bright fruit on the
long and even conclusion.

James Hallidays Best Buys under $20 -Galafrey Wines Mount Barker WA

James Hallidays New Book

Best Buys under $20-

RATING 92 Galafrey Sauvy Mount Barker Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2012
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13%
The premature death of Ian Tyrer in 2003 did not
deter wife Kym and daughter Linda who announced
'There is girl power happening at Galafrey Wines'.
This sauvignon blanc shows its dry-grown origins,
but I have to admit that while 'sauvy' is, I suppose,
better than 'savvy', both terms set my teeth on edge.
Others won't be so picky, instead enjoying an intense
wine at the herb, grass and pea pod end of the
spectrum. A thoroughly food- friendly style, it has
good line, length and persistence.

RATING 92 Galafrey SBS Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2010
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2014
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13%
This wine is usually one of Galafrey's best buys. The
sauvignon blanc comes from a vineyard on ancient
gravelly loams, the semillon from a small vineyard in
Boyup Brook. Both lots came from very low yielding
vines producing less than a tonne per acre. The wine
abounds with aromas and flavours seamlessly sewn
together so that grass and herb merge with stone and
tropical fruit. It should develop well over the next 2-3
years.

James Halliday Reviews 2012 Galafrey Wines , Premium Wines Mount Barker WA

RATING 92 Galafrey Sauvy Mount Barker Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2012
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13%
The premature death of Ian Tyrer in 2003 did not
deter wife Linda and daughter Kim who announced
'There is girl power happening at Galafrey Wines'.
This sauvignon blanc shows its dry-grown origins,
but I have to admit that while 'sauvy' is, I suppose,
better than 'savvy', both terms set my teeth on edge.
Others won't be so picky, instead enjoying an intense
wine at the herb, grass and pea pod end of the
spectrum. A thoroughly food- friendly style, it has
good line, length and persistence.

RATING 94 Galafrey Reserve Dry Land Mount Barker Riesling 2010
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2017
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:12%
Bright, pale quartz-green; a classic combination of
lime juice and a mineral backbone, already flooded
with flavour, but a rosy future if you don't drink it all
as soon as you get your hands on it.

RATING 92 Galafrey SBS Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2010
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2014
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13%
This wine is usually one of Galafrey's best buys. The
sauvignon blanc comes from a vineyard on ancient
gravelly loams, the semillon from a small vineyard in
Boyup Brook. Both lots came from very low yielding
vines producing less than a tonne per acre. The wine
abounds with aromas and flavours seamlessly sewn
together so that grass and herb merge with stone and
tropical fruit. It should develop well over the next 2-3
years.

RATING 89 Galafrey Dry Grown Mount Barker Merlot 2008
Variety: Merlot
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2017
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13.5%
Dense colour for the variety; an extremely
concentrated and powerful merlot that must have
come from low yielding, small berry vines. Crosses
well into cabernet sauvignon territory, and will have
divided appeal.

RATING 89 Galafrey Reserve Museum Release Dry Grown Mount Barker Shiraz 2004
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2013
Date tasted: 22/12/2010
Alcohol:13%
Has held its hue well; a mature wine with an array of
spice and pepper inputs to its savoury, foresty fruit;
needed a touch more flesh, perhaps, when young.

James Halliday Reviews 2011 Galafrey Wines , Premium Wines Mount Barker WA

Relocated to a purpose-built but utilitarian winery after previously inhabiting the exotic surrounds of the old Albany wool store, Galafrey makes wines with plenty of robust, if not rustic, character, drawing grapes in the main from estate plantings. Following the death of husband/father/founder Ian Tyrer, Kim and Linda Tyrer have taken up the reins, announcing, â€˜There is girl power happening at Galafrey Wines!' There is a cornucopia of back vintages available, some superb and underpriced, at the cellar door. The arrival of Paul Nelson as winemaker bodes well for the future. Exports to China and Japan.

RATING 90 Galafrey Mount Barker Unoaked Chardonnay 2009
Variety: Unoaked Chardonnay
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2012
Date tasted: 4/12/2009
Alcohol:13%
Offers more than the majority in this style, with
tangy grapefruit and stone fruit flavours running
through the generous palate.

RATING 89 Galafrey Reserve Semillon 2009
Variety: Semillon
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2014
Date tasted: 4/12/2009
Alcohol:14%
Bright green yellow, suggesting some skin contact
perhaps; has a mix of citrus, stone fruit and oak on
the medium-bodied palate.

RATING 93 Galafrey Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Variety: Semillon Sauvignon
Blanc
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2012
Date tasted: 4/12/2009
Alcohol:13.5%
Pale straw-green; a fragrant and aromatic bouquet
with gooseberry, guava and citrus sets the scene for a
palate with good drive and length to its positive fruit
flavours.

RATING 91 Galafrey Reserve Dry Land Mount Barker Riesling 2009
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2016
Date tasted: 4/12/2009
Alcohol:11.5%
Some spicy notes on the bouquet, then moves
decisively to mouthfilling, lime-accented flavours,
surprisingly full given the modest alcohol.

RATING 91 Galafrey Reserve Dry Grown Mount Barker Shiraz 2006
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Mount Barker
Drink by: 2016
Date tasted: 4/12/2009
Alcohol:12.5%
Good colour; a fragrant bouquet with a mix of red
and black fruits, spice and a hint of pepper; the lightto
medium-bodied palate has good length and
balance.