Clairault Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Region Margaret River

Blend  Semillon 53% Sauvignon Blanc 47%

Vintage 2010

Winemaker Will Shields

Aroma The aroma shows a nice blend of Semillon characteristics, lemongrass, citrus, cut grass and the more pungent Sauvignon Blanc aromas such as gooseberry, rockmelon and fresh peas.

Palate The palate is appealing in its softness of acid without being broad. It has that classic Sauvignon gooseberry sweetness of tropical fruits with an edge of tomato vegetal. Overall, a wine of great balance and poise.

WINEMAKING NOTES
Warm days and warm nights at the end of February and the beginning of March prompted a rapid acceleration of sugar levels in the white varieties. Acid levels remained high as well suggesting a concentration effect from the warm weather rather than typical physiological ripening. There was a net benefit for the wine with no additions of Tartaric acid required in the winemaking and importantly a high level of aromatics and fruit power. Harvesting was undertaken in the pre-dawn cool to minimise oxidation and flavour loss, followed by gentle pressing of chilled grapes. The resulting juice was fermented using selected aromatic yeasts. The winemaking thereafter was fairly simple, with no oak used and an emphasis on retaining and highlighting the purity and expression of the vineyard.