Founded by Nigel Gallop, who returned from California to his homeland of Australia, looking for a place to plant some vineyards. He found it in Wilyabrup in Margaret River, and started planting vines in 1999. With his winemaking team of Clive Otto and Kate Morgan, they have produced wines that are definitely Australian, but they show restraint and a drinkability, that you will also find in this winery's neighbours, that include Cullen.
I only tried two of their wines, their entry blends that are made from both estate and bought in fruit, but I will be looking for their other wines soon, and expect that with older vines, these wines could become some of the leading wines from Margaret River.
2010 Fraser Gallop Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Lots of green apples, peppers, a lot of that vegetal edge that you expect from Aussie Sem Sauvs. There is a minerally aroma coming off as well which is quite nice, but the alcohol does come through a touch. The palate is actually quite muted, some soft veggies with a nice pepper meets under ripe apple. There is a sherbet element to it, a touch high acid too, but it is not a bad drop. 88pts
2009 Fraser Gallop Estate Cabernet Merlot
Sweet, baked meat with black pudding dunked in a berry pie covered in cream. The oak is always there, but not overly imposing. It is a bit like the uninvited guest at a party who is nice enough that you don't ask them to leave, but not interesting enough that you want to talk to them. There is a little bit of quince jelly on the nose too. The palate is soft at first, and then gets gravelly (the back label's words but it does sum it up perfectly). The fruit is there, nice and earthy but not jammy in the slightest. The tannins could do with being a little more refined, but altogether a nice wine. 90pts
Fraser Gallop Estate
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