Rare chance for wine lovers to taste obscure Margaret River wines

The biggest festival tasting of Western Australian wines is on again this weekend and those seeking something obscure for their palate from the state's premier wine region are in for a treat.

Six Margaret River wineries punters may not have come across before will be stationed together at the Subiaco event at Market Square Park, the eighth edition of this celebration of WA wine.

Here's a rundown on them and what you can expect to try from the six wineries.

KarriBindi has grown grapes in Margaret River since the mid-90s and produced under their own label since 2005. The vineyard features Karri loam soils ideal for growing sauvignon blanc, semillon, chardonnay and shiraz, with six wines produced all up, including a cabernet merlot. Our pick of the bunch is the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc for its crisp and fresh character, steely minerality and natural acidity.

The Heydon Estate vineyard was established in 1988 and now comprises chardonnay, shiraz, semillon, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and petit verdot, with minimal intervention on the old vines to produce just the right amount of fruit for each wine to display strong varietal character. You'll notice from their wines the Heydon family are big cricket fans - as evidenced by the names and labels accompanying each wine. Don't miss the 2016 Hallowed Turf Chardonnay, wild fermented and aged with French oak. It's a new-age chardy with plenty of pizazz on the palate, including white peach and almonds and a juicy, seamless texture.

If you're a fan of zinfandel, which is grown sparsely but to great effect in Margaret River, then make your way to the Morlet Wines stand to try their 2013 The 8th Zinfandel, a seriously great interpretation of this variety aged in French and American oak and amazing value for money.

Owners Wendy and Barry Stimpson bought the Passel Estate property that houses the winery in 2011 that comprised an established vineyard of cabernet and shiraz first planted in 1994. The owners are big on conservation and provide sanctuary to rare and threatened native fauna on their property. A self-guided nature walk through the pristine bushland reserve is in the pipeline and experienced winemaker Bruce Dukes crafts their five wines with his signature elegant style. We really love the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc made from 14-year-old vines from a challenging but rewarding vintage. The wine features intense fruit and juicy acidity that will have you handing your glass over for another pour.

Quite a few years ago a chardonnay from a relatively unknown producer won best overall wine at the WA Wine Show and now Hutton Wines is bringing its trio of impressive drops to Unwined. Elegant and finely crafted, the 2017 Triptych Chardonnay is sourced from Wilyabrup and at $40 a bottle is one of the best-valued chardonnays in the country, so make sure you try it as well as the winery's other two drops, a cabernet sauvignon and semillon.

Saracen Estate is also back pouring its extensive range at Unwined but make sure you try the 2016 Chardonnay for its extensive grapefruit elements, brilliant acidity and long, flinty finish.

These wines are among the 300 that will feature at the 2018 event - more than ever before - from WA's nine major wine regions - Margaret River, Great Southern, Swan Districts, Geographe, Peel, Manjimup, Perth Hills, Blackwood Valley and Pemberton. Spirit, beer, cider and of course food producers will make up the balance of exhibitors to create the biggest UnWined Subiaco in history.

The event has partnered with the WA Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia’s Savour Awards for Excellence, which on Saturday will reveal WA’s best wine lists at Unwined's Wine Theatre at 12.45pm.

UnWined Subiaco runs this weekend from 11.30am to 5.30pm. Entry is $30 and includes souvenir glass, live music, complimentary wine tasting and a locker to store any wine you have purchased.

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