The Artizan Rare Muscat continued its remarkable success winning its 15th Trophy for Best Fortified Wine at the Western Australian Wine Awards, earlier this month. Judges were impressed “Excellent wine, detailed and nuanced, black cherry, dark chocolate, layers of orange peel, dark spice, caramel and toffee.”

This award would not be possible without the passion and foresight of our founders Graham and Merilyn Hutton to lay muscat down nearly 50 years ago. It’s a privilege to build on their legacy and continue to produce fortified wines with class and refinement.

[London June 2023]
The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards for 2023 were announced earlier this month in London, with Gold Medals awarded to our our Classic Muscat (96 points) and Museum Rare Muscat (95 points). A huge accolade for our fortified program and ranking the Classic Muscat in the top 21 fortified wines of the world! 

Also judged in London this month was the 39th annual International Wine Challenge. Gold medals were awarded to our Artizan Rare Muscat (95 points) and Rare Tawny Fortified (95 points) 

"Australian fortified wine triumphs! - Australia has a long and distinguished history of making fortified wines, but production declined in the 60s. It is great to see winemakers responding to the growing global demand for fortified wines and drawing on their winemaking heritage to produce some outstanding wines in this category” commented IWC Co-Chair, Sam Caporn MW.

Sommeliers Choice Awards 2023
[San Fransisco June 2023]
Continued success across the Atlantic in the United States. Americas top sommeliers and wine judges assembled in San Francisco California in early June, to judge the 2023 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

We were fortunate to be awarded with four Gold medals from four entries!
It is wonderful to see our wines so well received on the international stage. 

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Ruby appearance, Cherry and blueberry notes on nose and palate too. A hint of oak on the palate. Medium acidity with good tannins. Well balanced very good wine. [GOLD]

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Deep ruby, blue fruit and green bell pepper on the nose. Follows through the palate with a bit of jalapeño flavour. Medium acidity with well integrated tannins. [GOLD]

Museum Rare Muscat
Hazelnut, figs, and walnuts on the nose. Round and opulent on the palate, lifted acidity that keeps this fresh and lively. Complex and well balanced, great wine. [GOLD]

Artizan Rare Muscat
Pistachio, figs and sweet tobacco on the nose. Walnuts and prunes on palate with round rich mouthfeel that is immediately lifted by refreshing acidity that leads to a light and delicate finish. [GOLD]

 

Respected wine journalist John Lewis from the Newcastle Herald recently tasted and reviewed our Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Vertical awarding the wines with 5 stars across all releases.

“I believe brands like Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Cullen and Cape Mentelle affirm Margaret River's primacy among Australian cabernet sauvignons - and Annette and Scott Baxter's Gralyn Estate can be added to the list.”

“My tastings have greatly impressed and the current- release $130 Gralyn Estate 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon won a gold medal in the 2022 London Wine Competition (LWC) and I gave it a five-star review in May last year. In the same LWC judging attracting 1300 entries from 36 countries, the fortified solera Gralyn Artizan Rare Muscat was crowned wine of the year. Made from muscat grapes bought in from a long-term grower, it's currently available at $120 a 375ml bottle.”

“This month I've had further evidence of Gralyn's cabernet sauvignon excellence with a museum vertical release of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Reserves. Annette and Scott have a six-bottle pack of two bottles of each vintage for $600 and single-bottle sales of the 2013 and 2014 for $180 and the 2015 for $130 from gralyn.com.au and the Wilyabrup cellar door.”

Purchase wine here

Wonderful recognition for our fortified wines with Huon Hooke from the Real Review ranking our wines amongst the best in the country in their latest tasting. The Museum Muscat scored highly with 97 points, this very special fortified is the pinnacle of our barrel aged program. With careful blending of material dating back to our very first wines, the Museum Muscat has an average age of 35 years.

Museum Muscat NV
“Deep, dark tawny-brown colour with a yellow rim, very viscous in the glass. The aromas are intensely aged and very complex, with molasses and toffee and malt flavours of great depth and persistence. Every indication here of a very old wine. A simply glorious wine to sip.” 97 Points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review 2023 



Artizan Rare Muscat NV
“Very deep, very aged tawny-brown appearance, with a green-yellow rim. The bouquet is extraordinarily complex and layered, the palate overflowing with toffee, molasses, raisin flavours with good muscat character and sweetness, a very viscous texture. A super-sweet, super-luscious muscat.”  96 Points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review 2023



Classic Muscat NV
“Good depth and brightness of tawny/brown colour with orange/yellow edges, the bouquet reminds of Violet Crumble—chocolate coated honeycomb—and the wine is sweet and bright on the palate, showing a lot of youthful material.” 92 Points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review 2023



Rare Tawny NV
“Deep rich tawny colour with a yellow rim, there's a lot of rancio here from excellent aged character as well as concentration and richness. A powerful, concentrated wine showing genuine age, the aftertaste rolling on very long.” 95 Points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review 2023 

Winestate Magazine’s annual Wine of the Year awards have just been announced and we are thrilled to be recognised as joint-finalists for Australian Winemaker of the Year 2022 and Wine Company of the Year 2022! 

This is wonderful recognition for our small family owned Estate which was established in 1975 by Annette’s parents Graham and Merilyn Hutton. It’s a true pleasure to continue to craft the award winning wines you like to drink! 

Look out for the print edition of the Winestate Annual available on newsstands in January, featuring our top ranking wines.

#gralynestate #wilyabrup #margaretriver #westernaustralia #winestatemagazine

Some wonderful reviews rolling in for our 2018 new release wines. Ray Jordan has scored our 2018 Reserve Shiraz 96 points and the 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 97 points. Ray Jordan is one of Australia’s most experienced wine journalists and has been writing about the rise of Margaret River wine for more than 40 years. This latest accolade is further testament to the brilliant 2018 vintage. These wines can be enjoyed now or cellared for a decade or more.

2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
"This is as good as any cabernet yet from Gralyn – and there have been some very good ones over the years. The poise, elegance and structure set this apart. It was a great vintage, and all that fruit power has been expertly harnessed. Beguiling mix of violets, blackcurrant and a slightly cedary lift. The palate displays fine chalky tannin and silky oak harnessing that inner power with a dry, slightly savoury finish which is very long." 
Drink now - 2040 
97 Points
Ray Jordan for WinePilot

2018 Reserve Shiraz
"A stylish and elegant style of shiraz that seems to be a continuation of the stye shift that I first saw with the 2017, albeit a vintage driven by its coolness. The wine has a vibrant, lively colour and a perfumed aroma that has picked up the nuances of 5% viognier which was co-fermented. It also has a spicy, sweet fruit core that drives through to a finish supported by fine silky tannins and neatly managed oak." 
Drink now - 2034
96 Points
Ray Jordan for WinePilot


Image: 2018 Reserve Cabernet | 97 Points


Image: 2018 Reserve Shiraz | 96 Points

The Fine Vines Festival (October 14 - 23) brings together a curated selection of more than 30 unique events showcasing the quality and depth of the Margaret River region’s premium wine offering. We are proud to be partnering with the regions premier luxury guest house, Cape Lodge to host an intimate 4 course dinner.

A member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. Cape Lodge is set within extensive manicured gardens with giant karri trees cocooning the lodge from the world outside. With 22 suites and an onsite lakeside restaurant and bar, Cape Lodge is the perfect base for an all-inclusive stay during the Fine Vine Festival. 


Image: Cape Lodge, Member of Luxury Lodges of Australia

Fine Vines Festival
Gralyn Estate x Cape Lodge Dinner, October 21st 
"Escape to the culinary heart of Cape Lodge for a rare vinous evening, offering an exclusive peek into the intriguing world of one of the most prestigious wine producers in the country. The iconic lakeside dining room of the South West is set to welcome long-standing Caves Road neighbour, Gralyn Estate who has been meticulously crafting premium limited-release wines since 1975. Settle in for an intimate journey through four courses, curated by newly appointed Cape Lodge head chef, Adam Robson Chew, (Nomad, Bentley) paired with some of the most highly sought-after wines from Gralyn Estate."

Tickets are $290 per person. This includes a glass of sparkling on arrival and a four-course dinner prepared by Cape Lodge head chef Adam Robson Chew, each course paired with a Gralyn wine.

We encourage you to linger a little longer in one of the 22 elegantly-appointed suites at Cape Lodge – exclusive rates for guests attending the event. Simply use the code: FINEVINES upon making a reservation.

Book Fine Vines Festival tickets here

Book Cape Lodge accomodation here


Image: Gralyn Estate's award winning Cabernet Sauvignon

Winestate Magazine has just released their Cabernet and Bordeaux Challenge results and we were fortunate to have four wines rank highly in their respective categories. Winestate Magazine has been the definitive guide to Australian and New Zealand wine since 1978, with independent panel reviews. Wonderful recognition for our 2001 and 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, scoring 98 points and judged equal top alongside iconic wines such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

A sensational class! “These are cracker wines with fine serious tannins perfectly matching varietal expression fruit,” said one judge. “A pleasure to judge,” said another

Gralyn Estate Margaret River
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
"A very mature wine; still has a great colour and still in excellent condition with meaty/cigar box aromas and a beautifully evolved flavour profile."
98 points (equal top wine)

Gralyn Estate Margaret River
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
"A fabulously aged cabernet that is drinking beautifully now. Obvious smoky/savoury/bacon bone characters on the nose that carry on to the palate."
98 points (equal top wine)


Gralyn Estate Margaret River
2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
"A beautiful velvety smooth wine offering lots of everything - sweet fruit, good oak, lovely bottle age and an attractive savoury element." 
96 points

Gralyn Estate Margaret River
2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
"Earthy mocha characters obvious on the nose with a beautifully aged palate sitting in the savoury spectrum with excellent tannins." 
94 points

FORTIFIEDS
The latest issue of Winestate Magazine also features their annual fortified tasting.
We received high praise for our new release Pedro Ximenez with 94 points and our Artizan Rare Muscat and Museum Rare Muscat, which both recieved 98 points and equal top placings.

“Another group of exceptional wines,” enthused one judge. “This is Australian history in a bottle!” “The older wines have amazing, aged material which is a privilege to enjoy,” said another. “Do yourself a favour and get a bottle to try. These wines are made by producers who are passionate about producing this style. Awesome!”
Judges comments 

Gralyn Estate Margaret River
Museum Rare Muscat
"Another very beautifully aged Muscat with a fabulous intensity of Christmas cake-like aromas and flavours and a long and lingering after taste." 
98 points (equal top wine)

Gralyn Estate Margaret River
Artizan Rare Muscat
"This vibrant nose shows a powerful lift of raisins, spices, florals, toffee and chocolate with a fresh palate that is not too dry and not too sweet but just perfect!" 
98 points (equal top wine)

Gralyn Estate is open daily for tastings and sales.
Caves Road, Wilyabrup
10.30am-4.30pm

Wine Folly have just released their fun and informative guide to the Margaret River Wine region. The guide covers everything from the region’s wineries, wine styles, terroir and travel with useful, expert-made information to help you find what you like.

"In just over 50 years, Margaret River has skyrocketed into a world-class producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The styles of the wines here are different from the rest of Australia - you find the richness of fruit and ripe flavors, but you have restrained elegance thanks to the cooling influence of the ocean surrounding them.”

Discover the exceptional and age-worthy red and white wines in Margaret River, and more with the new Margaret River Region Guide by Wine Folly…
Featuring Gralyn Estate

Explore the region via the guide
https://margaretriver.guides.winefolly.com/

#gralynestate #wilyabrup #margaretriver #westernaustralia #winefolly

THE VINTAGE JOURNAL 
MARGARET RIVER GUIDE 2022
BY ANDREW CAILLARD MW AND ANGUS HUGHSON

The Vintage Journal is one of Australia's leading platforms for fine wine and Australian wine history. Respected wine writers Andrew Caillard MW and Angus Hughson visited the region recently for a tasting of Margaret River’s famed varietals, namely Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The comprehensive 74 page chronicle deep-dives into what makes Margaret River and its people true leaders in the production of international fine wine. Covering the beginnings, with ambitious pioneering families through to todays modern day wine industry.

"Ultimately, the success and reputation of the region have been shaped by imagination, collaboration, and visions small and great."

We are very proud of our feature, look out for our 97 point Cabernet Sauvignon.
Enjoy the read!

Link: The Vintage Journal Margaret River Guide 2022


2013 Gralyn Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River, Western Australia

Medium deep crimson. Fresh developed blackcurrant, roasted walnut, vanilla, marzipan aromas with subtle bush-garrigue notes. Inky deep and gravelly in structure with lovely cassis, dark plum fruits, fine cedar, firm tannins and integrated mocha oak notes. Finishes claret firm, sweet-fruited and minerally. Nearly ten years old, but still youthful, buoyant and fresh with a touch of cigar-box complexity. Impressively balanced and preserved. What a surprise!
Now – 2035 13.2% alc 97 points


NV Gralyn Estate Rare Tawny
Margaret River, Western Australia

Medium deep tawny colour. Fresh espresso, toffee roasted hazelnut, mocha, marzipan, aniseed aromas. Richly flavoured and complex with toffee, crème brulée, roasted coffee, roasted hazelnut, liquorice flavours, a hint of rancio, fine chalky textures, superb mid-palate density and fresh linear aniseed notes. Finishes chocolatey and round with the alcohol driving the flavours to the back palate. A reference WA style.
Now – 2040 19.0% alc 95 points


NV Gralyn Estate Artizan Rare Muscat
Margaret River, Western Australia

Medium deep. Intense dried plum, raisin, paneforte, caramel, crème brulée, shellac aromas. Complex, concentrated and evolved with plentiful sweet prune, raisin, caramel, treacle, roasted cashew nut flavours, fine loose knit chalky textures, lovely mid-palate viscosity and fresh persistent aniseed notes. Very long treacly, after-taste. A stand-out Western Australian Muscat with extraordinary density and potency.
18% alc 96 points