Evoi Wines

EVOI Wines

Evoi Wines is a small producer in Margaret River, Western Australia.

Only two wines are made. A Chardonnay and a Bordeaux style Red.

Passion and character are the defining words for these wines.

The volumes will remain very small and each bottle is individually numbered to express the limited production and attention to detail.

The winemaker, Nigel Ludlow, has completed close to 30 Vintages in New Zealand, Hungary, South Africa, Spain, and Australia. With numerous awards and trophies, these wines are a culmination of years of experience and a passion to create a truly great Margaret River wine.

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2011
Rating 96. 5/5 Star. Included in Best Wineries of Region and Best of the Best by Variety.

Evoi [Latin] - The ecstatic scream of joy from the female followers of Bacchus.

The Story

"EVOI"

[Latin] - The ecstatic scream of joy of the Maenads.

Maenads (Bacchantes)

In Greek mythology, Maenads were the female followers of Bacchus. Their name literally translates as "raving ones". The Maenads were inspired by Bacchus into a state of ecstatic frenzy, through a combination of dancing and drunken intoxication. In this state they would lose all self control, begin shouting excitedly "Evoi, Evoi" and engage in uncontrolled sexual behaviour. They bore a staff (Thyrsos), crowned with ivy, wore the skin of a panther and put snakes over their locks.

Bacchus (Dionysus)

The Roman and Greek God of wine, fertlity and growth. Also known as the Liberator, he freed oneself from their normal self, by madness, ecstasy or wine. Bacchus was the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele. The divine mission of Bacchus was to mingle the music of the Aulos and to bring an end to care and worry.

Satyr

The Satyrs were the male companions of Bacchus. Satyrs are roguish, subversive and dangerous, yet shy. They are lovers of wine and women and love to dance with the Nymphs. Satyrs are strongly built with flat noses, large pointed ears, long curly hair, and full beards, with wreaths of vine circling their balding heads. In later literature, they acquired a goat like aspect.

The Wines

2009 Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

Hand picked, basket pressed, partial wild yeast fermented and mlf (malolactic fermentation) in french Barriques. this wine retains elegance, precision and length, the white peach and grapefruit flavours complexed by nutty/creamy notes. Has great length.

2009 reserve "The Satyr" Margaret River

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cab Franc. This wine was released January 2011 after 18 months in French Barriques. The fruit elements of this wine are balanced by savoury notes, with a full body and great length. Huge ageing potential.

2010 Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

This wine is still in barrel. It is potentially the best Chardonnay yet. The wild ferment portion is adding a beautiful butterscotch/marmalade character, with the intensity of the fruit linking all the complexities.

2010 Reserve "The Satyr" Margaret River

This wine is still in barrel. After completing ferment and MLF in barrel the wine will now mature for a further 12 months. The blends are largely still seperate, with the Cabernet Sauvignon looking extremely varietal and a very well defined Petit Verdot.

Reviews and Awards

EVOI Winery

James Halliday Wine Companion 2011

5/5 Stars. Included in "Best Wineries of Region" - Margaret River and "Best of the Best by Variety" - Chardonnay

James Halliday Wine Companion 2010

5/5 Stars. Included in "Best Wineries of Region" - Margaret River

2009 EVOI Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

James Halliday Wine Companion 2011
5/5 Glasses. 96/100 Points

Retains elegance, precision and length, the white peach and grapefruit flavours complexed by nutty/creamy notes ex barrel fermentation; has great length.

2008 EVOI Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

James Halliday Wine Companion 2010
5/5 Glasses. 95/100 Points

Bright straw-green; an extremely seductive style, with wild yeast fermentation and partial MLF in no way obscuring the nectarine and white peach fruit; the oak is likewise subtle, the powerful finish all about its essential fruit character.

Ray Jordan's WA Wine Guide 2010
94/100 Points

A very good follow up to the initial 2007 release. It shows a similarity in style and winemaking with slightly more minerally character evident on the nose and the palate. Interesting mix of white peach, cereal and grapefruit on the nose while the multi-layered palate shows excellent structure and texture that carries to a long finish. Promising stuff.

2007 EVOI Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

Ray Jordan's WA Wine Guide 2010
93/100 Points

This is an impressive Chardonnay from this new producer in Margaret River. Winemaker Nigel Ludlow takes handcrafting to a new degree with just 2 barrels made. Gets all the treatment with basket pressing, barrel fermentation, and some partial malolactic fermentation. Rich and concentrated wine of great complexity with waves of nectarine, grapefruit and white peach. The oak use is outstanding. This is a winemaker to watch.