It’s always a classy wine, a serious iteration of SBS forfeiting tropical fruit for texture, a light thread of phenolics, smoky/cedary/spicy oak and some funky flint. It’s all about the palate really, although there are plenty of citrus flavours – think grapefruit, Meyer lemon and pomelo. It’s ready now but this will only build more complexity in time. Points: 95/100
This is the prestige Sauv Blanc and Sem blend in the Cullens range and it drinks like it. Named in honour of Diana Madeline’s mother, Vanya’s other grandmother, the vines were planted in 1976 and the wine is a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon. The Semillon was tank fermented but the Savvy saw eight months in barriques, 63% of them new, after both barrel and concrete egg fermentation with wild yeasts. Deep straw in colour, this is Savvy with complexity. Entirely possible we have the power of suggestion here, but it is a wine of grace. There is oak evident, but it is finely integrated. There are tropical notes with peach, fig and florals. A seamless style of great refinement and serious length. Enjoy this any time over the next six to eight years. A superb example of the style. Points: 95/100
It’s an engaging wine and one that’s full of personality. Citrus, dried mango, ginger biscuits, fennel and floral things, a bit like Chinese tea, lots of spice. It has a good burst of flavour, again a layer of spice, ripe lime and pear, fine chalky grip, something a little nutty and sake-like here, honey vanilla florals, and the finish is long and layered. Distinctive and very good. Lovely now, though likely better in a year or two. 94+ Points: 94/100
