The Three Lions wines are from Plantagenet. The name Plantagenet was given to the shire in Western Australia by early English settlers and was adopted by the winery when it was established in 1974. The arms of the Gules family, who later became the Plantagenet dynasty, were three lions passant guardant, termed colloquially “the arms of England”. They were first adopted by King Richard the Lionheart (reigned 1189–1199), son of King Henry II of England (reigned 1154–1189), and grandson of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou. Plantagenet the winery is now self-sufficient, with 126 hectares of vineyard in Great Southern. All their wines are made from estate fruit, so it makes sense that they should introduce this label, with a link to the name Plantagenet, to showcase this fruit. The Three Lions Sauvignon Blanc is unoaked and aromatic with a good depth of zesty lime and tropical fruit on the palate. The Chardonnay, also unoaked, offers more stone fruit, citrus and white flowers with a hint of minerality. The Cabernet/Merlot, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, rounded out by small quantities of Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Malbec, is fragrant and supple with bold dark fruit and a touch of mocha. The Pinot Noir is bursting with bramble fruits and toasty oak and has a lovely texture on the palate. The 2020 Australian summer was the hottest on record, which affected many wine regions across the country. Mount Barker was no exception, as the warm temperatures in November and December advanced vine development and condensed the growing season, which brought the harvest forward four weeks. The hot temperatures during the day reduced the berry growth, producing fruit with a great depth of flavour and intensity. Notes of tropical and stone fruits are met with flavours of guava, ripe white nectarine and a slate-like minerality on the palate. - The 2020 Australian summer was the hottest on record, which affected many wine regions across the country. Mount Barker was no exception, as the warm temperatures in November and December advanced vine development and condensed the growing season, which brought the harvest forward four weeks. The hot temperatures during the day reduced the berry growth, producing fruit with a great depth of flavour and intensity.