STELLA BELLA, SUCKFIZZLE & SKUTTLEBUTT

Stella Bella Wines is a privately owned wine company in the Margaret River region of Western Australia that makes wines under the quixotic brand names of Stella Bella, Suckfizzle and Skuttlebutt.

While the brands are differentiated by sub-regions, vineyards, style, price and curious names, the objective is always to create wines of expression, personality and interest with an emphasis on unique imaging.

The Stella Bella wines are the creation of fruit selected from vineyard sites and blends of sub-regions within Margaret River. These wines provide the future production growth, with deference to the regional expression of Margaret River, and without compromising quality, individuality or character. Since the first release in 1997 the Suckfizzle wines have developed a cult following, with demand well beyond the extent of supply. The recognition achieved over a very short period of time, and consequent demand, highlighted the need and desire to expand.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

AWARDS

International Wine Challenge 2006

Silver Medal
Skuttlebutt Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Merlot 2004

Bronze Medal
Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2003
Skuttlebutt Shiraz Merlot Rose 2005

2ND International Wine Competition
Tempranillos Al Mundo
May 2006

Stella Bella Tempranillo 2004      Gold Medal
(Golden Tempranillo)

Margaret River Wine Show - November 2005

Best Wine
Stella Bella Shiraz 2004

International Wine Challenge 2005

Gold Medal
Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2001

Bronze Medal
Stella Bella Shiraz 2003
Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Skuttlebutt Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2003
Skuttlebutt Shiraz.Merlot Rose 2004

World Tempranillo Awards Januray 2005

Golden Tempranillo (Between 88-95 points out of 100 points)
Stella Bella Tempranillo 2003

Tri Nations Wine Challenge between Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Class
Third Place

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2002

Fourth Place

Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc 2003

REVIEWS

New Juice 2007                   
Matt Skinner

100 Wines You Should Buy
Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2007
By James Halliday

Skuttlebut Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2004                                              Rating 89
‘Bright purple-red; vibrant and intense spicy black fruits; positive tannins, firm finish.’

Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc 2005                                                        Rating 95
‘Fragrant, clean, spice and passionfruit aromas; a lively and crisp palate; excellent finish.’

Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005                           Rating 95
‘Spotlessly clean; aromatic herb, grass, spice and gooseberry fruit runs through a lively, crisp and clean palate; vibrant finish.’

Stella Bella Chardonnay 2004                                                                Rating 95
‘Fine fruit focused and driven; very fresh and lively nectarine/grapefruit; subtle barrel ferment inputs.’

Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2005                                                         Rating 95
‘Vibrant purple-red; immaculately crafted; spotless cassis and blackcurrant aromas and flavours; super-fine, ripe tannins and skilled French oak handling.’

Stella Bella Viognier 2004                                                                        Rating 94
‘Bright straw-green; aromatic, flowery citrus blossom/honeysuckle aromas; while full-on varietal character in the mouth, it is not phenolic or overly alcoholic; good acidity.’

Stella Bella Sangiovese Cabernet 2004                                     Rating 94
‘A powerful wine; spicy, cedary, earthy black cherry and spice aromas; very good structure on the palate, and good length. Interesting take on Tuscany.’

Stella Bella Tempranillo 2004                                                                 Rating 92
‘Strong red-purple; fragrant, almost flowery aroma and flavours, with hints of nutmeg, spice and cherry pip, however abrasive tannins need to soften.’

Stella Bella Shiraz 2004                                                                           Rating 91
‘Light-to-medium-bodied; bright, fresh and lively red fruits; well-handled oak warms up the palate.‘

Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2003                                                    Rating 96
‘A fragrant bouquet of cassis, raspberry and blackcurrant; excellent balance and structure; perfectly poised tannins to sustain a long life……’

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2003                                         Rating 95
‘A very complex fusion of fruit and oak on the bouquet; delicious lemon, citrus, apple and gooseberry in the mouth, the oak in restraint; long, clean finish.’

Skuttlebutt Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2004                                            Rating 89
‘Bright purple-red; vibrant and intense spicy black fruits; positive tannins, firm finish.’

Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Chardonnay 2005   Rating 87
‘Pale straw-green; a delicate, fresh and gently aromatic bouquet; a fresh and light palate with a touch of passionfruit. What there is, is lovely.’

Style Wine (Australia)
June 2006
By Tyson Stelzer

Style’s wine writer Tyson Stelzer shares his top 30 wintery wines:

Stella Bella Chardonnay 2003
‘The name and label are a bucket of fun, but don’t be fooled: this is a serious, structured wine to contemplate.’

Suckfizzle Margaret River Sauv Blanc Sem 2003
‘A brilliant partner to oysters or any salty seafood; this is the best Aussie SBS that I have ever tasted. Need I say more?’

The Herald Magazine
5th August 2006
By Martin Wishart

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon 2003
‘A crisp and light Sauvignon Blanc that shows a mineral and vegetal palate.’

The Observer Magazine
19th February 2006
By Tim Atkin

Four Aussie Greats To Give A XXXX About

'I joined the throng at the Iconic Australia table at the recent Australia Day Tastings. This line-up had been put together to highlight 'Australia's ultra premium wine offer'…..I finished the tasting some two hours later with a smile on my face. The wines were well chosen and illustrated the complexity, diversity and downright quality of what Australia has to offer.'

'From Western Australia, the toasty, herbal, beautifully crafted 2003 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon could go mano a mano with anything produced in Bordeaux.'

Superplonk
February 1 2006
By Sarah Ahmed

Suckfizzle Augusta Sauvignon/Semillon 2002
'50% of this ambitious wine is fermented and matured in top quality French oak - unsurprising then that it's reminiscent of a fine Graves. Intriguingly smoky and pungent (coriander seed and lemon oil) with vanilla bean and toast to the fore, like a fine Graves it will benefit from cellaring. The 1998 vintage suggests that, in a couple of years it will show nutty, toasty fruit cut with lemon and lime zest.'

Decanter
February 2006
By Andrew Blythe & Oz Clarke

The Results - Western Australia Cabernet Sauvignon

Stella Bella, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Margaret River 2003 ***
'Good complex nose. Sweet fruit characters, well rounded, and good balance and structure, nice tannins. Up to 3 years.'

Skuttlebutt, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot-Shiraz Margaret River 2004 ***
'Sweet cassis berries, fruitcake/plums. Great finish and mouthfeel, sweet/soft fruits. Well rounded. Nice tannins. Up to 2 years.'

Suckfizzle Augusta Margaret River 2003 ***
'Quite niceand firm. Lond, quite nice style, balanced acid, pleasant, good tannins, very nice length. Bright. Up to 5 years.'

James Halliday Australian Wine Competition 2006
Best Selling Guide to Australian Wines
By James Halliday

Best Wineries in the Regions

16 Margaret River Wineries (from over 100 producers) received a 5 star rating which included for the second year running:

Stella Bella Wines *****
Outstanding winery capable of producing wines of the highest calibre.

Best of the Best by Variety

Sauvignon Blanc and Blends - 94 Points
'Stella Bella Semillion Sauvignon Blanc - 2004, Bright, brisk, fresh stony/minerally aromas; long lively palate and finish; fresh and dry; great seafood style. Drink Now.'

Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 Points
'Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon (no other Cabernet Scored > 96 points) - potent but pure, beautifully enunciated, Margaret River Cabernet; sweet blackcurrant/cassis fruit; ripe, flowing tannins; perfect oak integration.'

'Highly recommended 90-93: Wines of great quality, style and character worthy of a place in any cellar.'

Stella Bella Chardonnay 2003 - 91 Points

Stella Bella Shiraz 2003 - 91 Points

Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002 - 91 Points

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2003 - 90 Points

Stella Bella Sangiovese cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - 90 Points

Australian Wine Companion 2005
By James Halliday

Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Stella Bella - 89 points
'Curiously subdued bouquet, varietal fruit likewise locked up, though the structure and balance are good. Drink 2007.'

Tempranillo 2004 Stella Bella - 89 points
'Fragrant; exotic savoury, lemony mix, then persistant lingering tannins; as much climate and winemaking as inherent varietal character. Drink 2013.'

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Chardonnay 2004 Skuttlebutt - 87 points
'Very fresh aromatic; delicate palate, dry finish. Drink now.'

Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2003 Skuttlebutt - 87 points
'Juicy, lively and bright red fruits. Drink now.'

Fine Expressions
August 2005

Walkabout Australia by Chris Orr

'….(these wines) reflect not only the quality that emerges from Australia these days, as well as this regional diversity.'

Suckfizzle & Stella Bella (Margaret River, Western Australia)
'Margaret River isn't great for Sauvignon Blanc, but these guys have found one spot, right at the Southern end of the region, that produces some fantastic stuff. They're also experimenting with some different grape varieties…..but it's their Bordeaux-style classics that really stand out.'

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – An Icon Wine…

Of the 2001 Jancis Robinson wrote “Even more sophisticated, and a challenging rival to Bordeaux's smartest dry whites, is… Western Australian Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion 2001 Margaret River”.

The 2002 followed this up: James Halliday Best of the Best Australian Wine 2005 ‘Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2002 94/100points. Strong Toasty barrel-ferment aromas; fruit responds with zeal in a full array of tropical flavours.'

Tri Nations Challenge; Australia v New Zealand v South Africa : ‘Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2002 third overall & top placed Australian Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon.'

Best blended White Wine in Ray Jordan's Guide to West Australian Wine 2004/5 'This is one of the more complex blends of these varieties. The use of some higj quality French oak in the process adds immeasurably to the complexity and the texture. Smoky tropical aromas. The palate is tight, firm and complex with some potential ahead of it. High quality and distinctly different.'

Recently released the 2003 is following the same path: Scoop Magazine Summer 2004 Top New release Whites: ‘Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2003 by Steve Charters MW. Big and complex with great depth and well handled oak. It has a great structure and good length, spicy oak and grassy/citrus fruit. Drink now or over the next seven years.'

Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Ray Jordans Guide to Western Australia Wine 2004/5 .

‘A crunchy tight blend that maintains a restrained thread to a long finish. Tropical fruits show some herbal gooseberry aromas. The palate is precise and packed with flavours. Lovely mouth feel.'

www.wine-pages.com
Tom Cannavan; 16/11/2005 The Wines of Stella Bella and Suckfizzle, Australia

Stella Bella (Australia) Chardonnay 2002 ‘This balanced Chardonnay from the Margaret River (only 12.7% alcohol) is aged in mostly one-year-old French barrels, and it has a nose that is luscious, toasty and buttery, without too much oaky excess.'

Olive May 2005 What to drink

Stella Bella Tempranillo 2003, Australia ‘Fresh, soft, woody and with a strong blackcurrant taste, this is a wine that should be opened up and quaffed, preferably outside (as is the case with so many wines) and, what's more, with a big plate of lamb kebabs and salad with a spicy dressing.'

Sunday Times Peter Forrestal; May, 1 2005

Skuttlebutt Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot ‘From the folks that gave us Suckfizzle & Stella Bella comes an imaginative budget priced label that delivers quality wine. It has smooth, ripe red-berry flavours and is an unpretentious quaffer.'

Good Food
Drinks of the month Chris Orr April 2005
Spending Spree

Stella Bella Sangiovese Cabernet 2002, Australia ‘Why buy? Based on Sangiovese, made famous by the Tuscans, who created some of the world's best wines. This oz version puts many of them to shame for about a third to half the price.'

Decanter April 2005

Recommended * * *

‘Stella Bella Chardonnay 2003'

British Airways in-flight Magazine Jancis Robinson, April 2005 Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2004

Jancis Robinson recommends a refreshing white to drink now…

‘We tend to think that Australia produces nothing but sun boosted copies of wine styles made in Europe, but this is far from the case. Now the southwest corner – the Margaret River region – has developed its own white wine style, a refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the two white wine grapes of Bordeaux. This wine is made by …Janice McDonald who also produces the excellent Stella Bella and Suckfizzle labels. I can't blame any winemaker for setting up shop in this region, where the parrots fly through the forests, vineyard pests are fence – hopping kangaroos and the surf is the main attraction.'

The Observer / Food Monthly Tim Atkins, Sunday April 10, 2005 Beware Aussies bearing booze

Six wines – Antidotes to Chateau Chunder

2003 Stella Bella Semillon/Sauvignon ‘This is a subtle, meanly Western Australian white with fine grained oak and a refreshing, herbal tang.'

Gourmet Traveller Wine 100 Top New Releases

Wine reviewed: Skuttlebutt WA Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2003.

Top 250 Wines of The Year 2005
Matthew Jukes

Stella Bella Pink Muscat, 2004 - Sweet
Margaret Fiver, Western Australia. Made by the Suckfizzle winemaker Janice Macdonald, this frivolous, fizzy, cherry-scented, off-dry wine is the ultimate choccy or strawberry pud wine. A half bottle will serve six (or two if you're naked) so it is only a pound or so a head. You'd never forget the person that serves this to you, so get in first and be the hostess with the mostess.

Stella Bella Wines January 2005 International Tempranillo gold for Stella Bella Wines Australian winery shines in international competition

‘Stella Bella Wines, Margaret River, is delighted to announce that their 2003 Stella Bella tempranillo has won a gold medal at the first International Tempranillo Competition held in Copenhagen, Denmark from 5 th to 7 th of February 2005 and is the only medal winner to come from Australia.'

Decanter Magazine January 2005

Vintage Report Australian Shiraz 2005

A surprisingly cool vintage for Australia, 2002 has resulted in elegant Rhône Style wines rather than 2001 blockbusters. Mathew Jukes reports on the vintage and selects his top picks.

‘… as the first 2002's started to creep in to the market, it was apparent we had an exciting change of tack occurring. The serious mid priced 2002s could be the best since the monumental 1998 harvest – and there is no doubt the wines will have finer tannins and more elegance than this brawny vintage.'

10 best value 2002 Shiraz Stella Bella Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia **** ‘Great, sappy, savoury fruit, with a luscious tannin-low finnish. Up to 2008.'

The Advertiser, Adelaide 12th January 2005
Tasted Philip White

Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2004 93 points ‘Gentle clingstone peach, with just a squeeze of lemon, and a waft of gingery, spicy oak decks the bouquet of this creamy, smooth, westie with the Monty Python label. It's suave, streamlined wine, with the rest of Stella's new releases whites, with a lovely plush texture and lemony acid with extremely fine tannins in the finish.'

Ray Jordan's Guide to Wine 2004/2005

Skuttlebutt, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot

‘The soft fleshy fruits of Frankland give this a wonderful mouth feel while the firm solid core of Margaret River adds some palate weight. Deliciously supple middle palate and a long lasting finish.'

Good Food December 2004 Choose the best white wine Something for every seasonal dish, chosen by Sarah Jane Evans

Best for entertaining ‘Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon 2002, Margaret River, Western Australia Cult wine from cult winery, only available from Sainsbury's online site (well worth a visit for smaller quantities of interesting wines).'

The Independent 27/11/2004 A Christmas Buyers Guide By Anthony Rose

‘This week we bring you a dozen dry whites, from refreshing and fruity to festive and food-friendly. At affordable prices, they'll turn any gathering in to an occasion.'

‘New World Sauvignon… Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc. A breathtaking Sauvignon Blanc from this up-and coming- Western Australian producer whose made-to-make-your-mouth-water tropical fruit is tinged with nettley zip and zing.'

Good Food October 2004

Wines of the Month Sarah Jane Evans chooses her best buys for October plus some favorite drinks for Halloween and autumn evenings.

Saturday Night Treat Skuttlebutt Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, 2002, Western Australia

‘Western Australia has built a reputation for top quality, but at a price. Some Cabernet blends are classy versions of Bordeaux, but Oz style. Skuttlebutt, fairly new to these shores, is one to look for, giving good value for its quality. This is a wonderfully smooth and confident red blend.'

Daily Mail September 2004
Mathew Jukes

Skuttlebutt Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot ‘Made by the famous Suckfizzle / Stella Bella team from Margaret River, this is a fantastic, forward, fruit driven red-delicious with lighter game dishes. The blackurrant theme kicks off on the nose and slides silkily to the finish. Along the way there are mild peppery notes and nice red berry interludes to keep you aroused.'

Business AM
p.m. Food & Drink, Bill Clapperton's Wine Notes

Stella Bella Chardonnay 2001
'From Margaret River in Western Australia, a wine-making area you ignore at your peril. Stella is certainly bella, with a smokey-vanilla nose and oodles of melon and sweet tropical fruits. But it is not just a big softy - there is an energetic acidity too. Sip on its own for pure hedonism, or with shellfish, chicken or calamari. Beaut.'

Daily Mail, August 2004
Reds Ahead
Matthew Jukes

2002 Skuttlebutt Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot, Western Australia
Made by the famous Suckfizzle/Stella Bella team from Margaret River, this is a fantastic, forward, fruit-driven red - delicious with lighter game dishes. The blackcurrant theme kicks off on the nose and slides silkily to the finish. Along the way, there are mild peppery notes and nice red berry interludes to keep you amused.

The Independent - 28th January 2004

Richard Elrich
Easy Does It

Get set for a corking Christmas with our cut out and keep guide to the one-stop yuletide wine shopping. Asda - Stella Bella Pink Muscat, from Margaret River, is a charming bottle at a friendly price.

The Herald - 10th January 2004

Weekend Living - Wine Choice
Joe Fattorini
Win Friends and Influence others
Stells Bella Pink Muscat

Getting a hold of this almost caused a diplomatic incident. From the West of Australia this wasn't expensive and notionally available from a high street retailer. Only 7.5%, but boy what a wine. Gorgeous strawberry aromas, perfectly sweet and with just a touch of foamy, sherbet fizz. Pure Heaven.

International Wine Challenge 2004
Silver Medal

Stella Bella, Tempranillo 2002

Bronze Medal

Suckfizzle, Sauvignon Semillon 2002
Stella Bella, Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Stella Bella, Semillon Sauvignon 2003
Stella Bella, Cabernet Merlot 2000
Skuttlebutt, Sauvignon Semillon Chardonnay 2003

Highly Recommended

Skuttlebutt, Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot 2002

Wine International - December 2003
Robert Joseph and Charles Metcalfe

First taste
Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2001 Margaret River, Australia
After a couple of attempts to move into e-tailing, Sainsbury's has finally realised its own brand is what inspires confidence in its customers. This comes from the intriguingly-named Suckfizzle winery in Margaret River, made by the talented Janice McDonald, ex-winemaker of Devil's Lair. It's restrained, with herby, grassy aromas and a creamy undertone. The palate is soft, rich and seamless, with cool, grassy aromas and subtle, creamy length.

The Observer Magazine - 7th December 2003

Tim Atkin
Wine - World Beaters
Tim Atkin tasted 3000 wines - here are his top 36 for Christmas

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon, Marget River
'I love two things about this wine, the monty-pythonesque label and the wonderful stuff that's in the bottle….'

The Scotsman
Rose Murray Brown - 1 Nov 2003

Food and wine - Fancy a Suckfizzle?
The cult names that currently top the Australian wine league chart could be about to change. The emergence of two impressive newcomers, catapulted into the premier division by high scores and rave reviews from US journal Wine Spectator and wine guru Robert Parker, are now jostling for position amongst Australia's finest.

The "Suckfizzle" dinner was at Martin Wishart. This tiny ten-hectare vineyard is in a much cooler region in Augusta, a wild remote peninsula in the south west extreme of Western Australia. What struck me about Suckfizzle's wines, when I first tasted them, was their elegance and finesse. They taste very un-Australian, which comes as a bit of a relief. The influence here is definitely Bordelais - a perfect partnership with Wishart's dynamic French-influenced cuisine.

Suckfizzle is a story of enterprise and passion. The vineyard was derelict in the 1990s, resurrected by Janice Macdonald, a Margaret River inemaker. The first vintage was 1997 - and the company was formed just for four years ago in 1999 - coincidentally, the same year that Martin Wishart opened his Leith restaurant.

Independent - Food & Drink
Anthony Rose - October 2003

Something for the Weekend
Splash Out - Suckfizzle Augusta, Sauvignon Semillon

Tom Canavan - October 2003

Four of the best wines for October 2003
Suckfizzle White Wine 2001 -
Suckfizzle is a privately owned estate in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. They have gained something of a cult following since their first release in 1997, producing two estate wines in limited quantities. It has hugely complex nose with piercing green fruit notes of fig, and apple, with green bean and nettles, layered with nuances of Brazil nut and toasty oak.

The Sunday Times
Jane MacQuitty - September 20, 2003

MacQuitty's Star Buys: 20.09.03
2001 Suckfizzle Augusta Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Margaret River, Australia
Cult name, cult winery and for once the wine within merits the fuss. A ripe, spicy, nutty, oaked white, and one of the few Bordeaux-inspired Aussie whites that works.

Daily Mail - Wine
Mathew Jukes - September 2003

Full Impact
2002 Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River, Western Australia.
This delicious bottle of Aussie sauvignon blanc could enter any taste-off with a French challenger. It is made by the Suckfizzle team (remember them?) and is glacially cool, long and lemony. The goat's cheese is perfectly counterpointed by the vibrant and refreshing white grape sauvignon. Australian sauvignons of this quality are few and far between, so snap it up.

Harper's September 2003
Harpers supplement: The Competition

Margaret River Wines
Suckfizzle Augusta Sauvignon Semillon 2001

Good Food Magazine - Wines of the month
Sarah Jane Evans June 2003

Dinner Party Choice
Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Western Australia
Cool - in climate and style - means zesty whites, especially from the ultra-fashionable producer Suckfizzle (yes, really) whose top of the range wines sell out fast. Stella Bella shows the delicious Suckfizzle effect at a more accessible price.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's is expanding its wine offering through a new dedicated website www.sainsburys.co.uk /wine which will bring a wealth of a new and exciting products and exceptional promotions to our customers without them even having to leave their homes. From the end of August customers will find wines such as the following on the site, which give a flavour of the forty new wine parcels that will be on the site when it launches, and a taste of things to come…

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon 2001

Telegraph, May 2003

In A Class Of Their Own
Andrew Catchpole

Wine-makers in Margaret River may look like surfers but their approach is anything but casual.

My last visit is to the team behind the extraordinarily named Suckfizzle and Stella Bella wines. Suckfizzle is named after a character in Rabelais's Gargantua and Pantagruel . As I arrive, New Age music drifts from the cellar. Wine-maker Janice McDonald leads a team that is making intense, fruit-packed wines whose modern style is set to become another Australian classic. "We chose the name because we wanted to create wines with Rabelaisian style and flair," McDonald says.

Wine of the week:
2000 Stella Bella Cabernet/Merlot, Margaret River, Western Australia. A raft of aromas and flavours is crammed into each mouthful of this beautifully balanced wine. Expect hints of cassis, damson, berries and plums, fine tannins and a long, lingering flavour. Drink this powerful wine with roast meats or steak.

Purplepages.com

Jancis Robinson May 2003

Australian Sauvignon Blanc - some great 2002s

Sophisticated and a challenging rival to Bordeaux's smartest dry whites, is another Western Australian Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2001 Margaret River. Suckfizzle, and its second label Stella Bella, are the creation of the talented ex Devil's Lair winemaker Janice McDonald who clearly has a way with words as well as wine. The Whole range is pretty impressive but this 4:1 blend of Sauvignon and Semillon is arguably the single most successful effort. Slightly fennel-flavoured, it has the same sort of lemon oil oakiness as a serious dry white Pessac-Leognan ( Ch Pape Clement perhaps) but with real finesse and intensity. I went back to a bottle that had been opened about a month previously and still enjoyed the contents.

Wine Magazine

Simon Woods, March 2003

Stella Bella Chardonnay 2001, Margaret River, Australia

Suckfizzle Augusta is the imaginatively named Margaret River winery founded in 1997 by Janice McDonald, formerly of Devil's Lair (devotees of 14th-century writer Rabelais will be familiar with one of his characters, the great Lord Suckfizzle). The Suckfizzle name is used for the wines from the winery's own Isca vineyard in Margaret River, and there's more than a little of Bordeaux about the smoky, greengagey Sauvignon/Semillon, and the firm fruity Cabernet Sauvignon. The other wines in the portfolio include grapes from both estate vineyards and other growers in the area, and these appear under the Stella Bella label. With a daughter called Isabella and the sister Stella, I suppose I was predisposed to like the range, but it would stack up very well under any name. These are refined, food-friendly wines that nod more towards Europe than to the eastern Australian states. The Chardonnay is as good as any of them, and boasts juicy apple/citrus fruit and a crisp, slightly nutty finish.

The Scotsman March 2003

Ros Murray Brown MW, March 2003

Stella Bella Sangiovese/Cabernet 2000
Origin: Western Australia
Comment: New arrival on our shores- this unusual grape blend is the little sister to the cult wine Suckfizzle
Taste: Smells of tea and cherries, with Sangiovese's chalky tannins and a lovely, freshly, ripe fruit palate
Stockist: Peter Green

The Independent

Expertwine.com issue 3

Matthew Jukes

1999 Suckfizzle Augusta Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River, Western Australia.

…In terms of sheer flavour impact and complexity, it is a relative steal. This wine has so much mystery and intrigue it is astounding. The nose is brooding and intense, the palate all developing with dense dark berry fruit, seasoned with sweet wood smoke and warm leather. The finish is a masterpiece, minutes long and ever so mellow. Forget the name and wallow in this hedonistic wine.

2002 Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon, Margaret River, Western Australia.

This is a simply mind-blowing range of wines including a Sauvignon, Sangiovese / Cabernet, Cabernet / Merlot, Shiraz.
My palate was hypnotised by the fully ripe, but grippingly dry fruit. The counterpoint of luscious lime sherbet and palate shocking, uvula cryogenics is mind-numbing.

February 2003

Highly recommended: * * * *

Stella Bella, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Margaret River 2000
"Subtle blackberry fruit. Inviting. Fruit shines against a supporting background of pure fruit tannins and integrated oak. Hints at a fine future. 2-6 years".

Recommended: * * *

Suckfizzle Augusta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River2000
"Very blackcurranty, sweet, oak. Juicy and smooth, midweight with fresh blackcurranty fruit, clean and crisp with moderate tannins, very attractive style. Up to 5 years".

Anthony Rose February 2003

Margaret River blends of Semillon and Sauvignon (which are) the best in Australia, with fine examples from Suckfizzle and Stella Bella.

Decanter

February 2003
Australia's Best Buys
Stella Bella Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc

'With piercing, intense, capsicum-like aromas, this scented dry white is tangy and crisp with juicy gooseberry flavours and grapefruity undertones.'

Wine and Spirit Competition 2003
Silver Medal

Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon

The Scotsman

Rose Murray-Brown MW, December 2002

Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc 2002
A brand new arrival on our shores, this is the little sister to Suckfizzle. Janice Macdonald, an Australian of Scots descendant, who used to make wine at the nearby Devil's Lair winery, makes both. The quality of all Stella Bella wines is exceptional, but one of best is this pure, crisp, richly fruited sauvignon.

The Daily Mail

Matthew Jukes, December 2002

1999 Suckfizzle Augusta Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia
The wine has so much mystery and intrigue it is astounding. The Price is steep, but in terms of sheer flavour, impact and complexity it is relative steal. The nose is brooding and intense, the palate all-enveloping with dense, dark, berry fruit, seasoned with sweet wood smoke and warm leather. The finish is masterpiece, minutes long ever so mellow - wallow in this hedonistic wine.

The Weekend Australian

Nov/2002

Suckfizzle's Stella Bellas
'Suckfizzle leads with way with lateral naming and labelling of its wines….The two white wines (Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc & Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon) are in classic Margaret River style, brightly focused, with clear varietal character….the Shiraz is extremely rich with abundant ripe tannins and overall flavour telling you to keep your hands off until 2006, while the cassis, cherry and raspberry, allied with fine but persistent tannins, make the Sangiovese cabernet sauvignon a most interesting wine with the potential to develop into something special.'

The Weekend Australian Financial Review

Nov 2002-12-03

Stella Bella Sangiovese Cabernet 2001
'Blackcurrant pastille fruit plus eucalypt and spicy cedar smells: very Margaret River but not especially Sangiovese. But the palate has that dry dusty Sangiovese structure though: plus plenty of spicy blackberry fruit, and juicy acidity. Savoury wholemeal finishing. This is darn tasty. 90/100'

Uncorked Magazine - The Age

Nov 2002

Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2002
'Snappy packaging! This is the new name from Margaret River, and the wine has the capsicum, gooseberry and straw/hay aromas of the style. It has pleasing delicacy on palate and is fresh and vibrant, closing with just a trace of sweetness.'

Sydney Morning Herald

29/10/2002

Stella Pink Muscat 2002
'A pink Margaret River version of the semi-sweet, lightly frizzy, low alcohol Italian moscato style…..pale purple pink, it has a lively floral Muscat grape aroma and a juicy, fruity but clean tasting taste. Very More-ish.

Sydney Morning Herald

15/10/2002

Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2000
'Classic Margaret River elegance. This has quality and drinkability and no real need to cellar it. Cedar, blackcurrant, sweet berry aromas that smell ripe; medium-weight palate with fine grained tannins and oak well integrated.'

Business A.M.

p.m. Food & Drink, Bill Clapperton, Friday 11/10/02

'If the names on the labels don't get you going, the contents of the bottles will. Few wines can live with such scintillating star quality'

Suckfizzle - Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
'…weighty at 14%. So as the winemaker suggests, give it food. There are classic Bordeaux flavours'

Stella Bella - Sauvignon Blanc
'…is pure lemon meringue pie and makes a superb entrée to a meal. A cascade of lime marmalade and sweet gooseberry jam flavours and a dry finish create fireworks on the palate - undoubtedly one of the wonders of the New World.'

Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
'…envelopes with warm liquorice and toffee aromas, wrapped round a stimulating 14% alcohol. The fruit attack is huge, the cabernet is softened by an injection of velvety merlot that fills the head with leather, chocolate toffee and plums.'

The Scotsman

Rose Murray-Brown MW - A Vine Romance October 2002

New Cult
Suckfizzle
'This Aussie recently arrived on our shores from Margaret River. The winemaker is Janice Macdonald formerly of Devil's Lair. Suckfizzle Semillon/Sauvignon is a stylish Pessac lookalike. Their Cabernet 1999 is opulent, dense and concentrated, needing time to develop'