“There are few places in the world where you can have your cake and eat it: family, surfing and winemaking.” – La Kooki
Reading this sentiment, I thought how true it rings as Margaret River seems to have all its ducks lined up in a row. The scenery, the location, the lifestyle, and some of the most prestigious wine brands in Australia. With long established iconic houses and a vast number of emerging brands, Western Australia is a force to be reckoned with.
Their Motto: “Opportunity, locality and personality”.
La Kooki was born in 2017 and Eloise and Glenn have never looked back. It’s fantastic to see winemakers with a passion for sites, small production and building great relationships with growers. La Kooki is doing their own thing in a place that resonates to them. It’s a thrilling venture and one I am so glad has crossed my path.
2020 Carbonic Blanc
A new take on Verdelho fruit beginning life under a blanket of carbon dioxide, pressed to French barriques and fermented on full solids… why not? This sure makes for more interest in a style often overlooked as being uninteresting. Green kiwi and green papaya shavings, with white exotic florals and a grainy lime pith texture. If I am drinking Verdelho then this novel approach would have me reaching for a second glass. A wine to have with kingfish sashimi, jalapeño and ponzu dressing. 88 Points.
2021 Rosé Blonde
Hand picked, single vineyard Pinot Noir fruit makes up this light coloured Rosé with plenty to write home about. It reeks of Pinot Noir, something that makes me very excited, and even more so when you read that creamy Chardonnay lees were used to top up the barrels. Genius. Small, wild strawberries and golden raspberries (yes they are thing) with freshly picked rose buds and an elegant lingering acidity. The wine finishes with a freshness and yet also a feel of berries and ice-cream on a summer evening. It’s a Mediterranean Rosato style meets the magic of Margaret River laid back cool. It can be and should be your next spirit animal. Drink in a hammock. 90 Points.
2020 La Boya Chardonnay
Boya mean ‘stones’ in the Noongar language of the traditional custodians of Margaret River, the Wadandi people. This connection not only refers to site but of the addition of those very stones which come from a coastal beach, not far from where the grapes are grown. They are added into the barrels to allow the wine to stay topped up and assisting in the movement and lees stirring of the wines -a Chardonnay for everyone that’s willing. Early picked and pressed to 25% French oak avoiding any malo, this wine has so much energy and tingling vibrations across the palate. It’s alive and you will be too after tasting it. White pomelo and green curls of granny smith apple; it’s succulent, juicy and finishing with a slight almond praline and racy minerality. Good god it’s totally delicious! Bravo. Drink with people that bring you joy, no haters allowed. 92 Points.
2020 Las Piedras Tempranillo
Handpicked from the 52 Stones Vineyard in Geographe which sits on red loam and clay soils over granite, this is a wine chock-full with vibrancy of red and black fruit. Red currants, black raspberry and dark violets perfume the glass. Coffee grinds and clove show through with a medium weighted palate and smooth, fine lined finish. This is a great example of Tempranillo that will suit many a red drinkers’ tastes. Drink with chicken karage or deep fried chicken bits with a sweet & salty dipping sauce. 90 Points.
