Evans & Tate – quality control

The Evans & Tate story began in 1971 when John Evans and John Tate planted vines in the Swan Valley. In 1974, they planted the Redbrook vineyard in Wilyabrup, just over the road from Moss Wood and Woodlands.


With the introduction of the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend in 1987, which Evans and Tate named Margaret River Classic, a new trend was born.

With its fresh and fruity appeal, it became an instant success. In 2007 management control passed to the McWilliams Wine Company followed by the Fogarty Wine Group in 2012. Despite the changes in ownership there has been stability where it really counts.

Both senior winemaker Matt Byrne and chief viticulturist John Fogarty have been with the company for 21 and 20 years respectively. Their efforts in the vineyards and cellar have been recognised industry wide with a host of gold medals and trophies. In 2017 and 2018, Evans & Tate won gold medals with 11 different chardonnays.

The Wines

2018 Redbrook Estate Chardonnay (13% alcohol, rrp $40)

Awarded three gold medals. A multi-vineyard blend made from selected sites in Margaret River. Wild yeast fermentation in new French oak puncheons (500 litre casks). Barrel maturation for 7-10 months according to each component’s characteristics. Drinking beautifully now, it has a lovely bouquet of creamy fruit and toasty oak. Palate is gentle, flavoursome and persists with flavours of delicious stone fruit and spice.

2020 Single Vineyard Malbec (14.5% alcohol, rrp $35)

From the Carter vineyard in the heart of Wilyabrup. Cold soaked for five days after picking. Partially wild fermented and then matured in French oak puncheons, 15% new. A deep red colour. On the nose a riot of aromas – satsuma plum, spice and a touch of violets. Generous and mouth filling, the fruit flavours stand out above a background of fine tannins This wine will no doubt age for 5+ years but makes for very attractive drinking now. It is uncommon to see a straight Malbec coming out of Margaret River. Hope there are more to come! A real beauty.

2020 Single Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (14.5% alcohol, rrp $35)

From the 50-year-old Redbrook vineyard. The shiraz fruit underwent whole bunch fermentation, the cabernet, whole berry fermentation after destalking. Fermentation began naturally with wild yeasts. Maturation took place in old French oak puncheons. The result is a wine with a highly perfumed bouquet and depth of flavour that old vines can produce. There is the spicy plum fruit of Shiraz and the elegance and complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Tannins are firm but fine-grained keeping in check the abundant fruit. It will age easily for 5+ years.

2018 Redbrook Estate Shiraz (rrp $40)

Predominantly Wilyabrup fruit with a small parcel from Karridale. Cold-soaked with some whole bunch fermentation. Aged for 12 months in new and seasoned French oak. Displays uplifted aromas of spicy plum fruit and pepper. A lively generous and finely textured palate. Fruity yet savoury and a persisting length. A beautifully balanced wine from a great vintage. Will age 5+ years easily. Awarded four gold medals.

2018 Single Vineyard Chardonnay, (13.5% alcohol, rrp $35)

From the Bridgelands vineyard at the cooler Karridale, whole bunches were cooled and gently pressed into oak barrels where fermentation took place with wild natural yeasts. The wine stayed in the cask for 11 months and then further matured in a stainless-steel tank resting on lees for another year. Attractive grapefruit and pear aromas. Clean and crisp, the fine and generous palate has an exciting touch of minerality and long finish that makes the wine sing. Beautifully crafted, with oak well integrated.

Reader special

Evans & Tate is offering a 20% discount for Medical Forum readers on the Fogarty Wines website www.fogarty.wine/collections/evans-tate
The code is MedForum