Description
“The sheer quality of the wines he makes is equalled only by his consistency” James Halliday.
When I met winemaker Bruce Dukes from Domaine Naturaliste I was bowled over by how striking every wine was that I tasted in his lineup … A rare occurrence when you’re tasting wines every day.
The success did not happen by accident. He has an intimate knowledge of all the terroirs of Margaret River after spending 25 years honing his craft with leading Margaret River producers such as Pierro wines. He is a trained agronomist and has a Masters in viticulture and Oenology from U.C. Davis … he also worked for 4 years at Neibaum Coppola in Napa, USA. Bruce seeks freshness of fruit, perfume, texture, overall balance, restraint with low to moderate alcohol in all his beautiful wines. Domaine Naturaliste is named after the northern most Cape of Margaret River, Cape Naturaliste, where the winery is situated. Minuscule production of top shelf wines across the board.
About this wine and the 2025 vintage from the winemaker: “A wet winter and relatively dry spring set the vines up perfectly for what was to be a moderate and generous season. Warm and sunny conditions in December through to March led to even reipening and retention of natural acidity. A season of substance and poise, flavour and delicacy.
“90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are captured to highlight their attractiveness in its youth. Fruit is harvested based on flavours and natural acidity. 15% of the blend is fermented in new French Oak barriques, with the remaining 85% fermented in seasoned French oak Puncheons. After fermentation the blend is aged on lees in oak with fortnightly battonage for 2 months.
“Complex layered and blended white. Sauvignon offering lifted fragrances of gooseberry and lychee, with Semillon offering fig, white grapefruit and a mineral component. The portion of barrel fermentation introduces exotic spice and textural harmonization.”
92 points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front “Very expressive, pungent start: notes of passionfruit skin, gooseberry, guava, crunchy nectarine, jasmine and lemongrass. A gentle note of cheese rind and raw cashews takes the edge off the aromatic fruit. It has a light but juicy palate, ginger spice and a cleansing grapefruity finish. While this may lure you in with its fresh perfume, it will ultimately win you over with its texture.”
RRP $30 **Our Special Price $23.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine**
