GALAFREY WINES

" Galafrey Wines is a family owned boutique winery creating great wines from their dry grown vineyard. Established in 1977 by one of the pioneers of the wine industry, the late Ian Tyrer,is still in good hands with wife Linda and daughter Kim keeping up the tradition"

Dry Land Reserve Rielsing 2010

'These dry grown Rieslings from Galafrey can be really tight and steely when young, though this tends to conceal the intensity of fruit within. This one has a wonderful purity of expression with spotlessly clean lines and a fine precise acid. Really promising wine for some cellaring. 91/100 cellar 8 years.

Dry Grown Merlot 2008

'No shortage of rich dark fruits in this powerful Merlot. It shows that this variety in the right places can be a good straight varietal wine. Love the seamless, smooth textured palate and the deeply concentrated flavours. They are beautifully held with ripe fine tannins and excellent oak integration. 90/100 cellar 7 yrs. 

Radschool Association Magazine - Vol 34

thanks to Robin Hayes and the Radschool Magazine for this great little article about Ian Tyrer and RAAF

Robin Hayes got in touch, he says, Hi, Just been reading some back issues and saw a photo in issue 25. One of the guys in the photo was Ian Tyrer who died of cancer in 2003. Ian a larger than life RadtechA with 76 Sqn, pulled the pin shortly after that photo was taken. Just recently while on a trip to Albany and while passing through Mt Barker, I stopped off to visit the Galafrey vineyard he established with his wife Lynda. He was one of the pioneers of wine making in the Great Southern District and now his wines are considered amongst the best in WA. The name Galafrey was stolen from the Dr Who series on TV and now the wine has become the official drink for the series. If any of Ian's old friends, and there were many, are passing through I would recommend a stopover and visit with Lynda and his daughter Kim and sample some truly awesome wines.

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'

This is the 3rd Ian Tyrer award. Set up in the spirit of the George Mulgure Award which was awarded to Ian in 2003. The award was set up to reward those that have help, supported and promoted the Mount Barker Wine Industry.

This years winner, Rob Bowen certainly deserves this honour. He was our first qualified winemaker in the Great Southern starting at Plantagenet Wines in the late 70's.