Saturday Sauv: Three 2013 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc
A trio of Adelaide Hills Sauv Blanc on the bench tonight, with all three showcasing the warm and (very) dry year to various degrees.
This was a bit of a power tasting (swift and to the point) actually, but an interesting one that delivered rather unsurprising results – Shaw & Smith by a margin thanks largely to its palate intensity and detail.
Wirra Wirra Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2013 12.5% $24
The lightest of this trio – green watery straw. Nettley nose with tropical fruit and grapefruit underneath, this is nicely balanced, if just a little lean and straight-up-and-down lines. The most backward of the trio but defined and long, with no shortage of acid-driven freshness. 17/20, 90/100
Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc 2013 12.5% $20
The darkest of the trio with a notably more yellow colour. The only one of this trio to be machine harvested, this has a sweaty, broad and open nose, with just a little more nutty skin contact suggestions than the more defined wines either side. Some nice late palate phenolic punch really drives this forward but ultimately a little dull compared to the other too. 16/20, 87/100
Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2013 12.5% $27
Green yellow straw. Easily the most convincing of the trio with a profile showing the most ripe lemon/lime driven flavours of the three (without sacrificing acidity). I like the balance here, with the extra palate intensity giving an impression of a higher quality level. Top-shelf Adelaide Hills Sauv Blanc. 17.7/20, 92/100
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