(2017) The epitome of refined Sauvignon Blanc, this does not miss out on fruit or a hint of nicely controlled exuberance, but is so classic in its style. The nose has gentle stone fruit aromas, just a background suggestion of grassiness and flint, all very elegant with a shade of white flowers somewhere in the mix. On the palate the sweet ripeness of the fruit is there, but this is dry and has some hedgerow, gooseberry tartness, a squeeze of grapefruit and lime citrus, into a long, elegantly tapering finish. Very classy Sauvignon Blanc indeed.
(2017) Fruit from the Coal River Valley blended with fruit from their own vineyard. A touch of sappy character, a touch of menthol and coffee, and then a nice sweetness of plum flesh and cherry ripe fruit, the juicy acids giving a nice briar and sappy touch. UK stockist and price quoted at time of review is for the 2013 vintage.
(2017) From the range-topping Legacy line, this Gimblett Gravels Syrah spends 20 months in French oak, and only 10 barrels were produced. It has a savoury and intense, fairly brooding perfume, dark, liquoricy, with a hint of Morello cherry and delicate peppery lift. In the mouth the wine is firm and structured, again a rasp of plum-skin and liquorice bite, but there is just a hint of more ripe and fat berry fruit beneath, suggesting it's a wine that will need time. The oak is integrated and savoury, graphite and a touch of cedar, the firm, tight tannins and concentrated acid core running like steel to the finish.
(2017) A little bit funky and reduced at first that blows off to reveal more floral characters and lemon rind a touch of nettle herbs. The palate cool and beautifully elegant, the acid already integrated, fat orangy and honey element, zesty and pure into a long finish.
