September Review - Yarrawood Tall Tales 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ...
Writing my personal notes on a new release Yarrawood wine is certainly my toughest task to date!
- Sure beats lifting pot plants for a living!!
My first swirl review is on one of the most popular New World cool climate varieties - Sauvignon Blanc.
Originating in the Bordeaux region the grape was named after the French word sauvage ("wild") and Blanc ("white"). Sauvignon Blanc has excited wine lovers with its fresh zesty aromas and crisp acid. Depending on the region grown the palate can range from tropical passion fruit, gooseberry and lime to some of the distinctive New Zealand herbal and crunchy green asparagus flavours.
Now that Spring has arrived it is time to move out of the dining room and head to the patio to enjoy the warm afternoon sun while picking away at an antipasto platter and a bottle of Yarrawood Tall Tales 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. The first thing that struck me was the fresh tropical basket of passionfruit and lychee. Aroma is essential for this variety and the 2010 has an abundance! A flinty grapefruit palate with fresh cut lime leads to a rich crisp finish. The Winemaker has bestowed a great expression of premium estate fruit which will complement the best new season dishes. This truly is a fine example of a classic Australian cool climate Sauv Blanc and should be enjoyed in its youth.
I look forward to the next swirl.
James Janda
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Background to James ...
At the turn of the millennium I discharged from The Royal Australian Navy to start a new life with my wife and newborn son.
Not knowing what to do I found myself trying everything from nursery hand to park ranger.
My wine industry career began working with a vigneron crew on the Mornington Peninsula. Through perservearance, I eventually became the vineyard manager and cellar hand for 3rd generation winemaker Andrew Hickinbotham. It was with Andrew that I developed a passion for wine and grape growing and quickly learned that you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear! Using this philosophy I became the Winemaker and grower for Jester Hill Wines on the Granite Belt in Queensland, where I received a four star rating in James Hallidays 2011 Australian Wine Companion.
Eventually it was time to return to Victoria and there is no better place than the Yarra Valley. The community here is strong and following the 2009 fires there remains a respect for the environment and quality viticulture. In May 2010 I was given the privilege of becoming part of the Yarrawood team, working both on the viticultural side as well as contributing to the winemaking side.
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