Flametree Wines Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

The Margaret River Wine region can display optimal, dry weather conditions that are ideal for gentle, consistent ripening across all varieties. Fruit quality can be excellent, with surprising delicacy and elegance.

The Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is a blend of fruit from three Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in the Wallcliffe subregion and one Semillon vineyard just east of the Rosabrook township. All these vineyards are on hillside slopes, have gravel soils and benefit from having excellent aspects and good drainage. Sauvignon Blanc dominates the blend at 62% and then Semillon is 38%. The winemaker believes you get the best aromatic whites from the southern part of Margaret River, and this wine is a perfect example of that.

Individual night harvests were crushed, chilled and pressed into tank for a three to four day settling period. Batches were then racked and warmed before either going into oak barrels or stainless steel to be inoculated using selected yeast strains. Ten percent of juice was fermented with grape solids in new Bordeaux oak. The lees were stirred weekly for eight weeks and then racked on light lees for a further two to three months and receiving first sulphur additions. The lees work has resulted in some lovely textural elements that perfectly complement the racy citrus fruit flavours.

The nose shows plenty of classic Margaret River citrus fruits, fragrant lemongrass, kiwi fruit, lychee and elderflower. The lychee notes and white nectarine provide a burst of flavour on the palate whilst the grape solids and barrel fermenting add complex savoury notes and minerality. Powerful fruit flavours, fine acidity and texture are the key attributes of this wine. This wine will drink well over the warmer months with or without food and provide some short-term reward for cellaring up to three years.