Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Vintage:   April 2002 Vineyard:   Pretty Sally Vineyard Region:   Central Victoria, Australia Barrel Maturation:   Fermentation on stainless, no malolactic fermentation or oak aging Pruning:   2.6 tons per acre Alcohol:   12% Current Production:   58 Cases Bottle size:   750 ml Release date:   September 2003 Trellis System:   VSP, 1.5m between vines, row spacing of 3m Soil Type:   Sandy clay loam with gravel layers Winemaker:   John Ellis

VINTAGE DESCRIPTION

Eureka! John Ellis, our winemaker, was walking the vineyard to determine the vintage dates for the Cabernet and Shiraz when he noticed the exceptional fruit in the original test block of Sauvignon Blanc. After a hot growing season, tempered by our reservoir’s water and the hills’ breezes, the fruit was beautiful and sugar levels were exceptionally high. We decided to make wine from this Sauvignon Blanc grape, and what a discovery it was!

The 2002 growing season was hotter and dryer than is the norm in our hills. The hot days made for exceptional maturation and our cool nights allowed for a long hang time. This unusual growing season, combined with our unique terroir, produced exceptionally rich and complex fruit.

Picking was carried out at John’s instruction. The fruit had reached exceptional flavor maturity and sugar levels but without over-ripening. Harvesting was done by hand, in a single session using on-the-spot selection.

WINEMAKING

The fruit was pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. John’s exceptional attention to detail was applied to the process. Fermentation was done to dryness, and no malolactic fermentation or oak maturation was involved. The extraordinary fruit was transformed into a simply stunning wine.

TASTING NOTES

This wine embodies the true-to-type characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. The nose is intense with melon and tropical fruit. The palate is complex and crisp and the finish is long and memorable.

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