Description
“The sheer quality of the wines he makes is equalled only by his consistency” James Halliday.
Winner of Best Value Winery 2020 in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion.
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 the 2022 vintage from the winemaker: “The 2021 to 2022 growing season in Margaret River was one of the highlights in my 33 years of winemaking. Gentle and sustained sunny days provided fruit characterized by intense aromatics, coating natural acidity, and ultra-fine tannin and tension. Fruit was picked purely based on the gorgeous balance of natural acidity and pure fruit expression.”
“Sauvignon Blanc is well adapted to our gravelly soils and maritime climate. The fruit is grown in Wallcliffe, the cooler southern end of Margaret River, which is renowned for its fragrant white wines. Bold aromas of red currant, passion fruit and orange blossom laced with exotic notes of lychee and clove. A creamy mouth filling palate delights the senses with an unexpected richness and depth of flavour.
“Fermentation and maturation in 500L French oak puncheons allows a gentle ingress of oak elements, while preserving freshness. Sauvage remains on its yeast sediment “sur lie” during maturation, This process of yeast cell breakdown adds depth and richness to the palate. 1/3 new 500L French oak puncheons for 10 months. The wood is primarily from the Vosges and Allier forests. 13% alc. Attractive in youth or keep up to 5 years maturation.”
Brand new release and we are thrilled with this … get it while you can .. expecting the wine critics to love this… Watch this space!
Meanwhile … reviews for 2021
96 points and Top 100 James Halliday “Barrel fermented in new and used French puncheons which contribute to both the flavour and texture of this very appealing wine. It’s savoury and dry, but the lemon zest and fruit flavours are the prime movers in showing what can be done even in a vintage that wasn’t easy..”
Gold, Margaret River Wine Show
93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Guava, green mango, blackcurrant buds, thistle and sage, with a dash of smoky oak. It’s juicy, kind of lime and salt with tequila flavour, a little green, but juicy and appropriately green apple and glossy/flinty texture. It has no shortage of flavour, intense capsicum/mescal character, but freshness of lime and subtle tropical fruit. Finish is long and bright, with a saline/lime edge. Interest and flesh will come with bottle age. It’s a good wine of intensity and structure.”
RRP $39 Our Price $34.99
(Want more than 6? Click here for Special Buy)
