Lamont's Winery is arguably Western Australia's most successful small producer ever, having won the title 10 times across the 3 State shows; Mount Barker (5), Swan Valley (4) and Perth (1) plus being awarded WA's Best Small Producer by Ray Jordan in 2002. To date, Lamont's has amassed 33 trophies and 282 medals including 37 gold.

Reviews

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion:

2012 Edition -5 star Winery

-'Dark Horse' Award

-6 Wines rated 94 points or above.

Ten dark horses 2012

These are a group of wineries that have produced a particularly impressive series of wines for this edition. Eight regions are (indirectly) featured, the ubiquitous Margaret River twice, and the far from ubiquitous Swan Valley also twice. This selection was made from a field of 15, all with compelling claims for inclusion.

Lamont's Winery

"This is by no means the first time Lamont’s has earnt a five-star rating, but for no obvious reason it has been off or below my radar for the past few years. It has made an emphatic return to top form with six wines rated 94 points and above, putting its neck on the line with such names as Funky Chardonnay, White Monster and Black Monster. If you are going to get away with names like this selling onto the domestic market at substantial prices, you had better get the wines right, and winemaker Digby Leddin knows he can do just that."

"94-100 Five Glasses- Outstanding. Wines of the highest quality, often with a distinguished pedigree."

"Funky Margaret River Chardonnay 2009 has had the full treatment: hand-picked grapes, whole bunch-pressed direct to heavy toast new francois Freres oak barrels for a solids fermentation, full mlf, and lees stirring; yes, it is funky, but has remarkably soaked up the oak and come out as a wine of true elegance. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. Rating 95. To 2016. $30.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 leafy and essency cassis bouquet, with a warm tickle from the 14.7% alcohol; the palate shrugs this off with ease, as the concentrated black fruits, fine- grained tannins and fresh acidity provide a plush and long conclusion. Screwcap. Rating 95. To 2020. $35.

Riesling 2009 light straw, green; while still delicate, has beautiful focus, balance and length; a prime example of Mount Barker riesling developing slowly, as it still has a way to go. Screwcap. 12% alc. Rating 94. To 2019. $25.

White Monster 2009 light straw-green; manages to combine full- on character on the bouquet and palate alike with a degree of finesse, and underlined the development potential of the 2010; nectarine and white- flesh stone fruit complexed by nutty cashew characters; 8 months in barrel, 3 months battonage hand 100% mlf. Chardonnay. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. Rating 94. To 2016. $45.

White Monster 2008 glowing yellow-green; has enjoyed its time in bottle, the wine making techniques the same as for the younger vintages, and validated by the passage of time has some cashew/ toasty/ buttery notes to appear, but the citrussy acidity of the fruit holds firm. Chardonnay. Screwcap. 14.3% alc. Rating 94. To 2015. $45.

Black Monster 2009 densely saturated purple colour; a black monster indeed, created from Donnybrook malbec that has spent 18 months in new and 1 year old French oak barriques; blackberry essence, dark chocolate and licorice all contest the mouth without tannins getting in the way. Screwcap. 15% alc. Rating 94. To 2029. $55."

2008 Edition -5 Star Winery

95 Pointed Wines:

2007 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Funky Margaret River Chardonnay

94 Pointed Wines:

2006 Frankland River Riesling "light straw-green; a clean and fresh bouquet leads into an excellent palate, lime juice and mineral driving through to a very long finish."

2004 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon "medium to full-bodied black currant fruit with a touch of cassis; very good tannin structure and length; quality oak."

2003 Chardonnay "excellent balance, texture and mouth feel; creamy stone fruit, melon and fig; subtle oak, long finish."

2002 Frankland River Riesling "light straw- green; spotlessly clean lime and mineral aromas are repeated on the palate, which has great length and intensity."

2000 Semillon "light to medium yellow-green; intense rich citrus- grassy- lemon fruit is nicely married with gentle oak. The palate has good length and intensity; there is abundant fruit richness to carry the barrel ferment- induced oak, and overall result is totally harmonious."

2009 Black Monster "densely saturated purple colour; a black monster indeed, created from Donnybrook malbec that has spent 18 months in new and 1 year old French oak barriques; blackberry essence, dark chocolate and licorice all contest the mouth without tannins getting in the way."

93 Pointed Wines:

2005 Family Reserve "strong colour; as usual, a multi- regional blend of the best parcels from the vintage; a luscious but not jammy mix of red and black fruits, tannins and oak assisting the very good length and balance of the wine. Cab Sauv/ Shiraz"

2004 Frankland River Riesling "spotlessly clean; vibrantly fresh and focused; pure lime and citrus; considerable length."

2003 Frankland River Riesling "clean and crisp; light but intense passionfruit and lime juice flavours; clean lingering finish."

2001 Semillon "Light green- yellow; the bouquet is fine and intense, with a beautiffuly balanced and integrated touch of oak. The oak in no way imperils the crisp, lively and long palate, which has an excellent finish and aftertaste."

Ray Jordan WA Wine Guide

2010 Mount Barker Riesling "this was hardly out of nappies when tasted and yet it has settled down beautifully. Crisp, minerally with a wet pebbly feel. The lime juice lift and cutting acid provide a bracing palate of great length. 95/100." (2011 Guide)

2009 Mount Barker Riesling "this delightful riesling was sourced from Mount Barker in what was a very good year for this variety. It's been picked early to retain its beautiful delicate acidity, and it has lost nothing in flavour intensity which is superb. It's minerally and spicy with a light lime juice character. Sustained palate which is clean and pure. 94/100." (2010 Guide)

2003 Family Reserve "this is largely a blend of Swan Valley and Margaret River cabernet with smaller amounts of shiraz and merlot. It's a wonderfully elegant and stylish wine with poised delivery of beautiful intense and concentrated powerful fruit. Long finish. 94/100." (2008 Guide)

WA Small Producer of the Year 2002 (Ray Jordan 2002 Guide)

Wine State Magazine

2008 Mount Barker Riesling 5 stars (2008 Special Edition)

2001 Family Reserve 5 Stars (2004 Edition)

2000 Vintage Port 5 Stars (2003 Edition)

NV Liqueur Port 4.5 Stars (2001 Edition)

1999 Shiraz 4.5 Stars (2001 Edition)

2002 Chardonnay 4.5 Stars (2004 & 2005 Editions)

The Wine Front

2009 Lamont's Black Monster "here's an interesting wine made from 100% malbec grown at Donnybrook in the Geographe GI. Pretty with floral notes and good spicy sweet French oak, blood plum and licorice. Appropriate firm tannin, medium weight with excellent flavour and a long finish that pulls savoury. Very interesting wine and a good interpretation of malbec. 92 points. Drink to 2019."

Awards

Perth Royal Wine Show

2008 Quartet- Gold ('08)

2002 Riesling- Gold ('02)

1999 Trophy for Best WA Producer Under 300 Tonne.

1998 Riesling- Gold + Trophy for Best WA White Wine ('98)

Mount Barker Wine Show (Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia)

2008 Riesling- Gold ('08)

2005 Verdelho- Gold + Dr Gladstone Trophy for the Best and Most Distinctive Regional Character ('05)

2005 Trophy for the Most Successful Producer Under 250 Tonne.

2002 Family Reserve- Gold ('05)

2002 Chardonnay- Gold + Trophy for Best Older White + Trophy for Best Chardonnay ('04)

2001 Shiraz- Gold ('04)

2003 Verdelho- Gold ('03)

2000 Riesling- Gold ('03)

2002 Riesling- Gold ('02)

2001 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor Under 250 Tonne.

2000 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor Under 250 Tonne.

1997 Chardonnay- Gold ('00)

1998 Riesling- Gold ('00)

1999 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor Under 250 Tonne.

1994 Vintage Port- Gold + Trophy for Best Fortified ('98)+ Gold ('97)

1997 Riesling- Gold + Pam McGregor Trophy for Best Aged Riesling ('99)

1997 Chenin Blanc- Gold ('97)

1997 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor Under 250 Tonne.

Sheraton Wine Show

2000 Shiraz- Trophy for Best Shiraz ('02)

1999 Riesling- Trophy for Best Riesling ('00)

1997 Riesling- Trophy for Best Riesling ('99)

1994 Vintage Port- Trophy for Best Fortified ('98)

SGIO WA Winemakers Awards

2000 Verdelho- Trophy for Best Verdelho ('00)

1997 Chenin Blanc- Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc ('97)

Swan Valley Wine Show

2009 Black Monster- Gold + Trophy for Best Non GPZ Red ('11)

NV Navera- Gold ('10)

2009 Riesling- Trophy for Best Non GPZ White ('10)

2000 Family Reserve- Trophy for Best Non GPZ Red ('10)

1994 Vintage Port- Gold (Museum Class) ('09) + Trophy for Best Fortified + Trophy for Best Wine in Show ('98) + Gold ('97) + Gold ('96)

2007 Shiraz- Gold ('09)

2002 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon- Gold + Trophy for Best Non GPZ Red ('05)

2004 Riesling- Gold + Trophy for Best Non GPZ White ('04)

2002 Chardonnay- Gold ('04) + Gold + Trophy for Best White in Show ('03)

2004 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor

2001 Chardonnay- Gold ('03)

2003 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor

2000 Vintage Port- Gold ('02)

NV Liqueur Port- Gold ('01) + Gold ('00) + Gold ('99) + Gold ('97)

1997 Chardonnay- Gold + Trophy for Best White Wine in Show ('98)

1998 Chenin Blanc- Gold ('98)

1998 Navera- Gold + Trophy for Best Sweet White ('98)

1998 Trophy Most Successful Exhibitor