A wonderfully complex, modern Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc expression. Fermented wild in large-format French oak with a portion of full skins ferment, it is aromatic, savoury, textural and layered with a long, dry finish. The perfect aperitivo or accompaniment for rich seafood and poultry.
A cool, winter-like spring saw vine growth delayed in development. Rainfall in October was significant. A dry and warm summer, with sustained warmth day and night through December, January and February, possibly influenced by another La Niña season, saw a rapid ripening period for all white varieties, with all vineyards harvested in little over a month. Fruit quality was excellent with surprising delicacy and elegance. A low yielding vintage, primarily due to spring conditions over the past two years. Warm and rapid veraison for whites in January was ideal. Vine health remains fantastic, with fruit quality high and flavours concentrated.
95 Points
Serious sauv blanc that’s seriously good, but not as you know it. Wild fermentation in French oak foudres and puncheons with some skin contact. The result is a structured, savoury wine with an absence of overt tropical flavours – very pleasing as a result. Instead, phenolics add shape and mouthfeel while textural talc-like acidity ensures this remains refreshing. It is complex, flavoursome and moreish. (V21)
94 Points
Powerhouse style and an excellent example of it. This really lays down the law in the glass. Woodsmoke, nettles, tropical fruit and gravelly gunmetal characters. If it was a film it would be a gritty revisionist western. There’s grain to the finish too, grip, structure. Candied fruit notes fly about but then the finish is daringly dry. It’s a terrific wine. (V20)
94 Points
Some portions have seen skin contact, others fermented (wild, of course) in French oak foudres. Field mushrooms and sea salt, guava and crushed lychee, nashi pear and Golden Delicious apples. So much going on, and from so many different angles: this is complex, textural, layered and long. This style will not be for everyone, although if you love chardonnay this will firmly be in your ballpark. The Campari/orange-zest character that comes from skin contact can be addictive - it's here, if you look closely. I'd like to see this in 5 and 10 years. (V20)