Wilyabrup

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Lenton Brae has an unrivalled fidelity with blending Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc in Australia. In 2007, Lenton Brae celebrated 21 consecutive vintages of its Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. To mark this achievement, Lenton Brae produced a reserve wine blended from these two varieties. As the wine proved to be extremly popular, we have decided at add it to our cellar door and on-line exclusive range.

The fruit for this wine was sourced from the 26-year-old Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc vines on the estate vineyard in Wilyabrup. These vines have consistently produced the backbone of the standard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and have great intensity and concentration.

The 2008 vintage was warm and dry providing perfect conditions for these early-ripening white varieties. The grapes were hand picked, chilled, gently pressed and blended (55% Semillon, 45% Sauvignon Blanc) before fermentation in new French oak barrels. Post fermentation, the barrels were topped and stirred monthly. After 6 months maturation, the wine was stabilised and bottled with minimal filtration.

Aromatically, the wine displays restrained lemon and citrus notes with a subtle, savoury oak influence. On the palate, the wine’s entry is soft and creamy and finishes with bright acidity and persistence. Approachable now, the wine will soften and continue to integrate in the medium term, though it has the fruit concentration to suggest long-term cellaring is possible. Suggested food pairings include fresh oysters and other shellfish.

Bottled August 2008.

Price: $35.00

Reviews for the 2007 Wilyabrup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Tim White, Australian Financial Review Jan 2008
Quite lovely, this: tangy nettle peel, Margaret River pesto with tangerine, subtle spicy oak. Same in the mouth, with an easy middle, and just enough nettle and peel to add cut. The oak is subliminal, again contributing subtle nuttiness and some textural chew. Clear and pure to close.

94/100.

Jeremy Oliver 17.6.2008

While this oak-matured blend of these Bordeaux varieties will take some time to settle, it’s very smart, stylish and tightly honed. While its piercing presence of gooseberry, melon and citrus fruits is slightly over-awed by its powdery, lightly smoky presence of vanilla oak, it builds neatly in weight towards the end of its round and unctuous palate, finishing with tight, refreshing acids. It’s backed throughout by a grassy thread of herbaceousness. Drink 2009-2012.

94/100