Winemaker Notes
Lightly grippy Sauvignon with a real wild side. This is definitely not your run of the mill Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and that’s a good thing. Aromas of lemon balm, nectarines, and basil-like tones are at the forefront with lingering green pear on the back end. The wine is more herbal on the palate, but by no means green, with a cascading fruity side that again reaches into the apple/pear section of the supermarket. There is a great deal of complexity here that really shows with some air all leading to a deeply penetrating and saline-doused finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A complex and gently savory edge here, this has aromas of lemon peel, light pastry and some grassy notes, as well as melon and subtle spices. The palate holds a sleekly fresh edge with a soft, fluid texture and fresh, lively acidity underpinning sliced pear, lime and apple flavors.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
A narrow band of hills and valleys east of the city of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills region is a diverse landscape featuring a variety of microclimates. In general it is moderate with high-altitude areas cooler and wetter compared to its warmer, lower areas.
Piccadilly Valley, the part of Adelaide Hills closest to the city, was first staked out by a grower named Brian Croser, in the 1970s for a cool spot to grow Chardonnay, then uncommon in Australia. Today a good amount of the Chardonnay goes to winemakers outside of the region.
Producers here experiment with other cool-climate loving aromatic varieties like Pinot Gris, Viognier and Riesling. Charming sparkling wine is also possible. On its north side, lower, west-facing slopes make full-bodied Shiraz.