By Dr Craig Drummond, Master of Wine
Woody Nook vineyard and winery are located at Wilyabrup in the heart of the Margaret River Region.
The property was purchased by Jeff and Wynn Gallagher in 1978 with the first vines planted in 1982, and first vintage in 1987 taking place in their recently completed winery.
In 2000, the property was purchased by Peter and Jane Bailey with the Gallagher’s son Neil remaining a shareholder. He stayed on as winemaker and viticulturist until 2020.
Since then, winemaking and viticulture has been in the experienced hands of Digby Leddlin with sales and marketing manager Courtney Dunkerton assisting.
The vineyard grew to 17 hectares in 2007 when a further eight hectares were added. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon plantings were increased and two native Spanish varieties – Tempranillo and Graciano – were added.
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All wines are produced from estate grown fruit and with an annual crush of around 100 tonnes Woody Nook certainly qualifies as a boutique operation.
When in Margaret River, Woody Nook is well worth a visit.
The wines
Woody Nook 2025 Chenin Blanc, RRP $27
A nice easy drinking wine, good as an aperitif or accompanying seafood. Drinks well now but will reward over several more years.
Aromas of tropical fruits which follow onto the palate. Pineapple, nashi pear, a touch of quince. Simple pristine clear flavours with a firm acid backbone and a clean finish.
Woody Nook Limited Release 2024 Rose, RRP $32
A nice summer drink. Fresh, light, bright and fruity. Described as a “field blend” it is made from Tempranillo and Shiraz with a small addition of puncheon-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. Displays an attractive salmon pink colour. Nose is confectioned, palate refreshingly alive with cranberry and boysenberry. A drink now wine.
Woody Nook Limited Release 2024 Fume Blanc, RRP $32
This wine is a superb example of the style. From experience in my own winery it is so difficult to get the right balance so the oak is not obtuse and the wine has complexity with delicacy – this wine has achieved that.
Shows complex developed secondary fruit on the nose, herbaceous with some slight pungency. Palate has lanolin and quince characters, fruit weight enhanced by bâttonage. Firm acidity holds it all together. Great current drinking and will evolve fascinating complex flavours over the next few years.
Woody Nook 2025 Tempranillo, RRP $27
Tempranillo with addition of 5% Graciano. Interesting ruby red/violet colour with aromas of Turkish Delight and spices. A medium bodied wine
Palate shows black cherries, spices and sarsaparilla. Oak evident but not central to the style. Back palate displays a slight milkiness that I associate with Tempranillo wines of Rioja. A wine for short to medium term consumption.
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Woody Nook 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc, RRP $42
A blend of Cab Sav 90%, Merlot 7% and Cab Franc 3% this ‘Bordeaux blend’ works so well for wines from this region. Garnet in colour with inviting aromas of blackberry, all spice and cloves.
Palate is full of flavour with blackcurrant, dark plum, Spanish black olive. Nice grippy tannins, lingering flavours. A very complete wine with a good future. Available at cellar door.
Reviewers pick
Woody Nook Gallagher’s Choice 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, RRP $67
A massive blockbuster of a wine from that exemplary 2018 vintage, now at 6 years. In my opinion drinking optimally, but I would give it another 10 to 12 years yet. I recommend decanting this wine prior to drinking.
Still deep brick red in colour but meniscus showing slight browning. The nose is majestic, complex, rich, ethereal and loaded with blackcurrant and eucalyptus. Opulent concentrated flavours of blackcurrant and dark fruits. Tannins supple, oak integrated. Carries its 15.5% alcohol very well. A wine of contemplation.
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