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.
This 2022 release comprising 67% Sauvignon blanc 33% Semillon is a knockout with purity, texture and mouthwatering succulence.
About this vintage from the winemaker: “A perfect growing season. Warm and dry throughout with light January rains to keep the vines happy. The wines are flavoursome and concentrated, characterized by exceptional length and purity.
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.
Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are captured to highlight their attractiveness in its youth. 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.”
93 points, Cassandra Charlick, WinePilot “I’ve been a fan of Bruce’s handling of Sauvignon Blanc for many years, and this vintage is no exception. Well before barrel ferments and time on lees was commonplace for Savvy B, Bruce was crafting textural, savoury Margaret River Sav Blanc and SBS. His 2022 Discovery Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is two parts Sauvignon Blanc to one part Semillon, the higher percentage of Sem thanks to the fantastic growing conditions. One hundred percent barrel ferment and sur lie for three months in seasoned French oak. The nose invites with gooseberry, ripe white peach, a lively and very pretty lemon zest, fresh florals and wet stone minerality. There’s a savoury peach pip thing going on too – almost nuttiness. What a delight on the palate. Clean and crystalline fruit notes, wildflower honey, honeysuckle, ripe peach, fuzzy peach skin and a slight saline minerality. Fruit leads into a savoury finish, with a touch of cheesecloth and blanched almond. Great fruit weight and acid drive. This is a delicious example of a Margaret River SBS, with solid length too.”
RRP $28 Our Price $24.99 – LAST OF THIS VINTAGE!
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