It was in 2007 that South African-born Philip and Vivienne Snowden, after a successful career in the mining industry, purchased their picturesque property in Denmark in WA’s Great Southern and set out to chase their dream to produce high quality wines.
Daughter Pam and son-in-law Patrick Corbett have worked with them, and together they have unquestionably achieved this dream, with Singlefile Wines one of this State’s greatest small volume producers.
The property was planted in 1989, giving them access to some mature fruit. However, they retained the Chardonnay, and pulled the other vines, replacing them with more Chardonnay, a smart move given that Denmark Chardonnay has had significant success. Then their next clever ploy — to set up partnerships across the vast Great Southern Region and draw upon its strengths such as Riesling from the Porongurup subregion and Shiraz from the Frankland River subregion. In this way they are offering the best of the region.
The quality is quickly evident. From the labelling, packaging, accompanying stationery and website, all reflecting a class act, and this carried through to the five wines I reviewed which were all indeed excellent.
And the Singlefile name? The family’s geese waddle single file to the property’s lake each day.
The Wines
Singlefile 2022 Great Southern Family Reserve Chardonnay (RRP $60)
This wine is from the family property in Denmark. Nose is immediately enticing. Initial roasted cashew and savoury characters from oak, which gives way to stone fruits – white peach/nectarine. Palate is rich, unctuous and complex. Oak is a touch dominant in its youth, but will mellow in time. Creaminess from lees stirring and partial malolactic ferment. A powerful Chardonnay with 8-10 years ahead of it.
Singlefile 2022 Great Southern Malbec (RRP $30)
I have been following the local iteration of this variety for 30 years now and continue to be impressed. And this is a very good expression of it. Appearance displays a vibrant beetroot red, youthful colour. Nose is of dark fruits – blackberry, plum and with violets. Displays rich ripe plum and blackberry. Mouth-filling, juicy, soft and lush. Ripe tannins with a gripping finish. Firm acid holds it all together. I like this Malbec.
Singlefile 2022 Frankland River Great Southern Shiraz (RRP $40)
In my opinion, Frankland grows WA’s best Shiraz, and this wine is true to form. Appearance is a youthful garnet/brick red colour, with purple meniscus. The nose displays redcurrant, anise, cinnamon and allspice. Oak gives a savoury edge. Flavours are of dark cherry, black olive, blueberry. An easily approachable (in youth) style of Frankland River Shiraz, with elegance, but with generosity and wonderful persistence. Silky tannins. A very fine wine. Will go 15 years. So easy to drink now.
Singlefile 2022 ‘The Pamela’ Porongurup Great Southern Riesling (RRP $45)
Riesling in WA doesn’t get better than that from Porongurup, both for style and ageing, and this wine reflects that. Pristine mid-gold colour with a youthful green hue. Fresh floral aromas, with Meyer lemon and a hint of talcum powder. Flavours of citrus and green apple, minerality with a river pebble mouthfeel. Purity, linear acidity, great length, and a clean finish. This is what Riesling is all about – a 20-year-wine.
Reviewer’s Pick:
Singlefile 2018 Frankland River Great Southern ‘The Philip Adrian’ Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP $100)
A blockbuster of a wine, and flagship of the Singlefile range. It is from that great 2018 vintage and from the incredible Riversdale Vineyard. This wine is still vibrant and youthful for its five years. Colour deep brick red. Aromas vibrant, lifted, exciting, with blackcurrant, earth, liquorice and wonderful oak. Flavours of blackcurrant and black olive. Tight, fine tannins. Smooth, clean, refined, elegance with power. Lingers on the palate. A great wine. Will go 30+ years
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