The Wisdom Era:
Plantagenet’s Wyjup Launch
Every great wine estate has its chapters. Plantagenet's latest opened in 2018, when Tom Wisdom returned to the winery as managing director, drawn back to where his family's story in wine began.
Three years later, in 2021, he and Jo took ownership outright, keeping one of Western Australia's pioneering estates in the hands of the Lionel Samson family, the state's oldest. They set their focus on the historic Wyjup vineyard, first planted in 1971. We call it the Wisdom Era, and the Wyjup Collection is its first full expression.
The Wyjup Vineyard Collection
Handpicked from the most exceptional parcels across our estate vineyards, the Wyjup Collection represents the purest expression of Mount Barker terroir. Ancient soils, elevated sites and cool maritime influences give rise to wines of depth, elegance and longevity. Crafted with meticulous care and minimal intervention by winemaker Mike Garland and our vineyard team, each bottle is individually numbered, with only 120 dozen of each wine produced – making every release a rare and highly limited expression of the season.
(Plantagenet Wines)
The Wisdom Era:
Plantagenet’s Wyjup Launch
Monday, August 24th
Hosted by
Mike Garland | Chief Winemaker &
Tom Wisdom | Plantagenet Owner & Managing Director
Masterclass: 5.30–7pm | 14 wines & canapés | $60
Dinner: 7.30–9.30pm | 14 wines and 4 courses | $140
Jo & Tom Wisdom (6th Generation)
When Tom Wisdom took ownership of Plantagenet in 2021, he kept one of Western Australia's founding wine names in the family. He is a sixth-generation descendants of Lionel Samson, whose Fremantle merchant house has been the state's oldest family business since 1829. Tom, and his wife Jo, are both viticulturists and plied their trade initially in Margaret River, where Tom was a viticulturist between 1999 and 2007. Jo completed her PhD in viticulture and together they share a vision to express through carefully crafted winemaking, the unique attributes of the Plantagenet Estate. Their stewardship is what we've come to think of as the Wisdom Era.
At its heart is the Wyjup vineyard, planted in 1971 and now home to some of the Great Southern's oldest vines. Those low-yielding rows feed the Wyjup Collection, Plantagenet's flagship range, with as little as 120 dozen of each wine crafted by long-serving Chief winemaker Mike Garland.
The results speak for themselves. Since 2018 the range has earned the best reviews in its history, with every varietal now rated between 95 and 98 points. The 2022 reds set the mark: a near-perfect 98-point Shiraz and a 97-point Cabernet, among the finest wines the estate has ever bottled.
And it isn't one lucky wine. From a rejuvenated Chardonnay and Riesling to a rising Malbec, the whole range is moving in the same direction. The Wisdom Era certainly has us paying closer attention to Plantagenet than ever!
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About Plantagenet:Family-owned since1968, Plantagenet has been imbued with the pioneering spirit of Tony Smith, the founder who envisaged great things for his land in Mount Barker, and so –established the very first Great Southern Vineyards.
After a long-standing association with Plantagenet Wines, Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group progressively acquired Plantagenet shareholding until full ownership in 2000 where the first order of business was to retain Tony Smith as Chairman of the company.
A pioneer of the Great Southern region, Plantagenet embodies the best of Western Australia with its distinctive, elegant wines. Steeped in a rich heritage, Plantagenet’s expressive wines and family-owned sensibility make it one of the most trusted wine brands in the country.
Producing around 30,000 Dozen cases of wine annually, Plantagenet exports to the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore as well as also supplying the domestic market.
Today, Plantagenet continues to be a family-owned business with Tom & Jo Wisdom at the helm and a vision to create wines of provenance and distinction that truly reflect the outstanding potential of the Great Southern wine region.
plantagenetwines.com.au
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Wyjup was the second vineyard to be planted in 1971. Wyjup is the aboriginal name for the area which is some 40 km south west of Mount Barker. The vineyard is still the backbone of the Wyjup Collection & Plantagenet Range with consistently exceptional fruit being produced each vintage from mature low yielding vines.
The Wyjup Collection
Handpicked from the most exceptional parcels across our estate vineyards, the Wyjup Collection represents the purest expression of Mount Barker terroir. Ancient soils, elevated sites and cool maritime influences give rise to wines of depth, elegance and longevity.
Crafted with meticulous care and minimal intervention by winemaker Mike Garland and our vineyard team, each bottle is individually numbered, with only 120 dozen of each wine produced – making every release a rare and highly limited expression of the season.
plantagenetwines.com.au
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Dedicated to cool-climate wines since 1996. After beginning his career with Plantagenet, vintages 97, 98and 99 and remaining within the Great Southern ever since (apart from an interlude in Germany with Riesling).
Mike reflects how "It is a very comforting feeling, that I've "come home" to where my journey all started, essentially without Plantagenet and more specifically Tony Smith we would not have moved(and fell in love with) the Great Southern and its wines."
The Wine List & Menu
On arrival…
Plantagenet Wyjup Blanc de Blancs Sparkling L.D 2021
First Bracket
Plantagenet Angevin Riesling 2025
This takes the Three Lions range up a notch. Careful vineyard management, including different picking times, adds complexity and completeness to the wine. It displays the region's typical spicy sea spray character on the nose. The palate is powerfully defined with intensity and length while retaining a degree of tension that carries through to a long, linear finish. It was picked a little earlier than normal to achieve this style.
94 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Riesling 2025
The aromas are powerful and the intensity immediately evident. Sourced from the Wyjup South block and made entirely from free-run juice, the aim is to preserve vineyard purity through a minimalist approach from vineyard to bottle. It has tremendous intensity and a tense acidity that drives to a very long finish. Notes of red apple and preserved lemon add complexity. It has everything you expect from a young riesling with at least 20 years ahead of it. Incredible purity.
95 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Abrolhos half shell scallops, nori, tobiko
Second Bracket
Plantagenet York Chardonnay 2025
Here is a wine that combines richness with tension, weight and power. It was picked over several separate harvests before being whole-bunch pressed to barrel, giving it structural definition. About 35% of the oak was new. The palate has beautiful intensity and completeness, with seamless integration of oak and fruit supported by fine minerality. This is a terrific wine offering exceptional value for the price.
94 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Chardonnay 2024
Opens with powerful aromas of stone fruit and struck match. It comes from a mix of Wyjup vineyard plantings dating from 1979 and 2004. The fruit was hand-picked early, whole-bunch pressed to barrel with solids, and initially wild fermented. It was barrel fermented with high solids and matured for 10 months in 60% new oak with periodic lees stirring. A distinctive struck match character complements the deep fruit intensity. Rich and beautifully textured, the palate is quite lavish while retaining impressive drive.
96 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Chardonnay 2021
A high-class chardonnay that expresses variety and region so beautifully. It also shows that Margaret River doesn't have sole claim to this variety in WA. Engaging aroma of light lemon curd, brioche and custard apple with a little charry edge. A power-packed tightly framed palate is a feature with that light charry oak working so perfectly with the deep fruit intensity. A slight struck match finish completes things.
97 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Chardonnay 2019
Baked apple, mango, nectarine, vanilla and butterscotch on the nose. Full-bodied, rich and buttery, balanced by sharp acidity. Bold oak, matched by a flavorful and concentrated core of ripe fruit. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.
93 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Shark Bay whiting, tempura, fennel, lemon
Third Bracket
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Pinot Noir 2024
This is the only wine in the collection not sourced from Wyjup, instead coming from the Rocky Horror vineyard. It was hand-picked, with some carbonic influence, and matured for 10 months in a combination of new and older oak. Distinctive sour cherry aromas introduce a more masculine, structured style with firm tannins and persistent acidity supporting the fruit. It is a powerful wine that will benefit from cellaring.
95 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Malbec 2023
A wine that captures much of the malbec character. It has a big block of red ripe fruit with a slightly vegetal character that adds rather than detracts from the wine. This is a very small production and, until three years ago, was blended. This has a brightness and energy about it with punchy red fruits that burst from the glass. There's a slightly chalky tannin character that gives some textural feel.
95 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Wyjup Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
This comes from a 1974 planting of Houghton clone vines and spent 18 months in French oak, about 40% of which was new. This is a cracking good cabernet sauvignon, capturing everything you expect from the variety. The nose reveals blackcurrant, black olive and a dollop of dark chocolate. The palate is firm with terrific structure, defined by fine tannins, integrated oak and, above all, intense, concentrated fruit.
97 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Icon 'Lionel Samson' Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
98 Points Ray Jordan, The West
The intention is that this wine will only be released from the best vintages and 2018 was certainly one of the very best. Sourced from the Wyjup vineyard planted in 1971. Leafy, wild fruit aromas with a mix of bay leaf and meaty tobacco and black olive. It's compelling stuff from the outset. The palate has excellent structure, based on the deeply concentrated medium to full-bodied fruit and supported with slick, fine tannins and a neat oak addition. A regal and polished cabernet worthy of a first release."
Roasted mushrooms, stracciatella, almond XO
Fourth Bracket
Plantagenet Wyjup Shiraz 2022
This is the first Wyjup-only shiraz, with previous releases sourced from the Bouverie vineyard. Deeply intense aromas of plum, spice and cherry introduce a thoroughly beautiful wine. The palate is supple, soft and generous, displaying dark plum, cherry, spice and a touch of dark chocolate. It was matured for 18 months in French oak, 30% of which was new. Blueberry, violet, black pepper and graphite add further complexity to this outstanding wine.
98 Points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au
Plantagenet Museum Shiraz 2000 (Lionel Samson & Son: full ownership)
Medium red-purple; fragrant aromas of spice, cedar and blackberry lead into a palate with complex structure; black cherry and spice flavours provide the initial impact, then lingering tannins and a long, savoury finish. A resplendent new label, and the wine incorporates some material from Geographe for the first time.
90 Points, James Halliday, The Wine Companion
Plantagenet Museum Shiraz 1993 (Lionel Samson & Son: first vintage)
Medium to full red-purple; a wondrously powerful and exotic bouquet with rich spicy dark berry fruit in classic Rhône-style. The palate literally explodes with dark cherry, licorice and spice flavours, producing a wine of tremendous vinosity and length. Tasted five times, four times in shows, with very consistent gold medal points.
93 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Angus a la minute. Peppercorn and garlic butter, leafy greens
To finish…
Espresso, Lamont’s Bon Bon muscat chocolate