Sometimes only a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc will do. So here are six exceptional examples for you to have a crack at, from WA, Coonawarra and the Adelaide Hills.
Picardy’s Sauv Blanc Sem (85% SB) is superb and age-worthy. Three distinct clones of Sauv Blanc are used along with two different yeast strains. On opening it seems soft and delicate, but as it airs, minerality, guava, lime, passionfruit and all manner of complexities emerge. Deep Wood's trophy-winning Margaret River SSB is also a cracker, as persistent as it is aromatic and laden with citrus and tropicals. The Chain of Ponds SB is crisp and offers a lovely mix of greenery and passionfruit.
The Riposte, made by the legendary Tim and Nick Knappstein, is textural, succulent and pungent; a joy to drink. Howard are major growers in the Adelaide Hills and supply substantial quantities of fruit to what are arguably the two best known producers of SB in the region. This, their own bottling, is of course excellent too. Finally, the Cape Jaffa SB is also lovely with tropical fruits, citrus and more at play.
A properly exceptional SBS from Picardy in Pemberton Western Australia. Three separate clones of SB are used, with 10% of the fruit whole bunch pressed and 2 different yeasts used to help build complexity. On opening it seems soft and delicate but as it airs, minerality, guava, lime, passionfruit and all manner of complexities emerge. This is a beautifully balanced delicious wine which will age well too.
Sorry, this product is not available individually, only in packs.
Classic Adelaide Hills characters of passionfruit and Granny Smith apples, along with minerality and a core of powerful yet refined acid. Fresh, dry, zesty and powerful.
Sorry, this product is not available individually, only in packs.
Bright tropical fruits with guava and green mango melding with apple and a citric acid zing. A little skin contact is allowed during ferment to encourage texture and ferment is completed in concrete eggs. Planted in in 1992, the Hoopers had their first vintage in '96, eventually achieving organic and biodynamic certification in 2005. Their entire operation is off grid.
Winemaking legends Tim Knappstein and Nick Knappstein are responsible for this beautiful Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc from the exceptional '23 vintage. No expense was spared in the fruit quality, with high altitude vineyards (Piccadilly and Carey Gully) chosen, and only the cane pruned sections. Aromas of passionfruit and florals dominate the nose with the palate offering clarity, depth. texture, minerality and the zing of well-balanced acidity.
This is zippy and slightly textural sauv blanc which offers a lovely combo of greenery to go with the passionfruit and tropicals. All in all, there’s plenty going on with this wine for discerning savvy blanc fans.
2 x Gold Medal, Top Gold and Trophy for best Dry White Blend in Show Adelaide
Deep Woods have quite the knack of picking up trophies! This is the second iteration of their Margaret River Ivory SSB to score a gold, top gold and Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Show. This edition has a heap of zip and crunch as snow pea, passionfruit, lemon curd and blossoms collide. As we’ve come to expect, perfectly attenuated acidity gives lift and life.
