VINEYARDS
Sauvignon Blanc for this wine was sourced entirely from Pemberton while the Semillon was sourced from the Blackwood and Geographe regions in the south west of Western Australia. The blend is 69% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon and a splash of Riesling. All vines are vertically trained, irrigated to maintain healthy canopies and predominantly grow on well drained gravel loam soils over gravel clay.
THE SEASON
A cold, wet spring delayed budburst and shoot growth was slowed down considerably by cool to mild weather all the way through into early summer which had us thinking a late vintage was on the cards. We saw a prolonged flowering period due to the cool weather with the consequence of some uneven ripening later on as well as a little bit of disease pressure. However the January and February temperatures were quite toasty and along with the dry conditions, hastened ripening considerably. Moderate yields, also helped. Despite the late warm conditions and ripening issues, our Semillons and Sauvignons all have excellent varietal definition and good natural acidity.
VINTAGE
Harvest started on the 9th February with Semillon from Geographe and finished 16th March with Sauvignon from Pemberton. Harvest sugar levels for Sauvignon ranged from 21.7 to 23.6 brix while Semillon was picked at 20.9 brix from Geographe and 22.0 brix from the excellent Blackwood vineyard. Total acid ranged between 5.4g/L and 6.4g/L. Yields averaged around 10 ton/hec for both varieties.
WINEMAKING
The varietal mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from this vintage onwards is now weighted towards the more aromatic Sauvignon which has a bit more pizzazz than plain old Semillon; a decision based on producing a more attractive, readily accessible, racier, fruit driven style. This blend delivers due to the complimentary flavours, with the lemon notes of Semillon lifted by the grassy gooseberry notes of Sauvignon while the palate weight of Semillon is enhanced by the tighter linear structure of Sauvignon, proving that old adage, the blend is better than its parts allowing us to produce a wine with lovely aromatics, balance, length and focus. While the quality of this wine is shaped by how the fruit ripens on the vine, the winemaking is simply about the preservation of fruit flavour and locking in the freshness through cool, gentle, anaerobic handling, cool fermentation and a light filtration into bottle.
TASTING NOTES
Fragrant lemon grass and gooseberry notes with pronounced citrus blossom and lemon rind overtones. A supple juicy mid palate, delicious racy lemon and grapefruit flavours with a minerally counterpoint. Lovely balance, harmonious and round but finishing with crisp clean finish and lovely long flavours. The punchy, grassy nature of the Pemberton fruit shines through this blend. Drink now to enjoy its freshness.
ANALYSIS
13.5 % Alcohol, 6.6 g/L Total Acid, pH 3.32, Residual sugar 2.2 g/L
