Geographe, Western Australia. Style: More floral and less tropical than previous years, but just as crisp and refreshing.
Background: Dry white blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon have their traditional home in Bordeaux on the south-western coast of France. Over the past few decades, the south-western regions of Western Australia have arguably claimed these blends as their own, primarily in a clean, fruit driven, refreshing style. This Dragonfly SBS has mostly been cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve and highlight the intensity of fresh tropical and citrus fruits and fragrant herbs that are the regional signatures of these varieties. A small portion (around 10%) of the blend was fermented in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels to add further aromatic complexity and a build some creamy texture into the palate.
Vineyards: The lion's share of both varieties were estate grown on our south-easterly facing 'Forest' Sauvignon and Semillon blocks planted in 1997 on classic freedraining WA "Marri soil" (a deep layer of ironstone gravelly loam over reddish friable clay). Around one fifth of the blend was from our 'Luisa' Sauvignon Blanc block. Planted in 2008 on similar soils, 'Luisa' has a westerly aspect, shading it from the warm morning sun, so it expresses more crunchy greens and less tropicals than the 'Forest' (and giving it spectacular coastal views).
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pale straw with hints of green.Nose: Delicate florals (Jasmine? Frangipani?) and some bath salt minerality. Some tropical fruits, but less than normal - lime the dominant fruit. Snowpeas and fennel provide the greens.
Palate: Light and tangy with lime and grapefruit flavours. The texture is dry and quartzy with some spice and citrussy acid drawing out the finish.
Cellaring: It is probably best enjoyed as a young wine - within three years of vintage - when its vibrant aromatics and clean, fresh fruits are at their most expressive.
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