03/07/2025
PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT | The Next Hundred Years | THE BEST WA WINERY YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF!
Over the next few weeks we thought we'd drill down in a bit more detail on some of the stunning wineries we're lucky enough to represent.
First off we thought we'd start with Terry Chellappah's 'The Next Hundred Years' project, which as above, we think is probably the finest producer flying under the radar currently in WA. Right from the get go, with a debut release of Riesling & Syrah, these wines attracted attention in wine circles both in Australia and Internationally. Boldly straying from some winemaking norms (the Riesling being fermented in oak for example) these wines felt fresh, complex, yet unforced - like they were meant to be made 'that way' and from 'that' vineyard.
All the wines are made in small batches by Vanessa & Terry, with fruit coming off selected single vineyards in the Great Southern & Margaret River.
RIESLING | This was the debut wine, and I have to admit it rocked my world when I tried it. Not only was it my highest pointed wine for that year, it was easily the longest tasting note I've ever written for a Riesling - so much going on, exotic fruits, texture, tension. This wine has been the equal 2nd highest rated WA Riesling on The Real Review every year since inception. These days its found on some of the worlds top wine lists including 67 Pall Mall and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
SYRAH | The other debut wine which has gone on to garner attention across the globe. This wine screams both Great Southern & Syrah. Its whole berry fermented and displays layers of complexity with everything we've come to expect from this vineyard (a certain iconic Frankland River grower IYKYK) earth, iron, mineral. It took out the Trophy for Best Great Southern Red at the Wine Show of WA, and is currently the top rated WA Shiraz on The Real Review, as well as a handy 95 points on Robert Parkers Wine Advocate in the USA. This wine is being splashed in glasses from the Savoy in London, to Rockpool & The Heritage here in Perth.
SEMILLON | Terry's intent on leading the Semillon Renaissance in WA, and this wine is one of the best examples out there - old vines planted on Margaret Rivers dress circle, picked super early and seeing barrel fermentation. 11% abv, tight, tense, with all the lemons, and a distinct phenolic grip. Serious wine.
NEBBIOLO | This was a passion project and somewhat experimental in nature, being fermented and raised in amphorae and spending a ridiculous amount of time on skins. It worked, unfortunately so well that we sold the entire vintage release in a single day and I only got to try one bottle! I remember it as a profound wine that was incredibly aromatic, bright and intense.
CHARD(S) | This year saw the release of 2 Chardonnays - a gingin clone from Margaret River, and a foudre fermented example out of Frankland. These also turned out to be a little 'too good' with both wines selling out essentially upon release. Margs went in a week, and the Frankland Chard selling through the entire vintage in three months.
It's still early days for The Next Hundred Years, however with this track record the next hundred years is looking bright.
The wines can be found at Perth's top wine stores, or if you're trade and want a taste just drop us a line!
