After honouring long standing wine grape growing contracts for the prolific and extremely high priced 1989 vintage the Osborn family's d'Arenberg Winery was physically over extended. White and Red Ochre were conceived as a de facto second label or 'declassified wine' in the European tradition. Eight vintages later the wine is sold throughout Europe and the Americas but mainly in Australasia, often to critical acclaim. It is with pride that the Osborn family's d'Arenberg releases White and Red Ochre in its McLaren Vale tradition. All wine undergoes numerous, and quite often, extraordinary changes. All great wine is in a constant state of evolution, sometimes from day to day or decade to decade. As time passes and depending under what conditions a bottle is shipped, stored and served the contents can exhibit an amazing range of different characters. The capacity for change and in many cases, improvement from glass to glass, from occasion to occasion, is a principle reason why wine holds so much interest, mystery and excitement for so many. However, not all wines are born equal and not all wines will develop in the same way. dArenbergs White Ochre is no exception to this rule. Although not specifically intended for bottle ageing, dArenbergís White Ochre can benefit from a short to medium term stint in the cellar, say 2-5 years. Over time White Ochre's brilliant young green tinged mid straw colour becomes more rich and gold. The fresh aromatic, floral jasmine and apricot like smells of young White Ochre become richer with a little bottle age evolving into a slightly dusty, toasty, honey and banana combination. White Ochre's young palate is dominated by pear, lychee and melon flavours. With a little age, spicy cinnamon and cooked apple flavours become evident. Strong, rich middle palate fruit precedes supple and creamy perceptions before a long lemon-pineapple finish which becomes toasty and honeyed after time.