Nouveau Hills Sauv done good: Guthrie Obtenu Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Guthrie Obtenu Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (Adelaide Hills, SA)
12.5%, Screwcap, $27

Obtenu Bois means ‘with wood’ in French but it sounds like one of those word games where if you put the letters in a different way you spell something naughty…

This comes from Hugh Guthrie, who quit his day job making wine at The Lane to craft wines like this. Good move Hugh.

What an interesting number to kick off with too – produced from a single Vineyard near Aldgate in the Hills, this was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented in barrel before spending 12 months on lees with minimal sulphur at bottling.

For all that winemaking this looks fresh as a daisy, ultra-clear and bright, the nose snappy and intense if ultra tight, showing just the barest hints of barrel. Minimalist. A tight and tangy palate too that I mistakenly drank too cool, its lemony, mealy and straddling fruit and acid to finish.

Despite the backward nature this is clearly a pretty fine Savvy – more like a good fumé than a Bordeaux Blanc, needing just more time in bottle to fill out.

Promise.

Source: Sample
Tasted: October 2014
Drink: 2015-2018+
Score: 18/20, 93/100+
Would I buy it? Only if I could wait a year before drinking.
Buy online: Guthrie Wines website

Andrew Graham Avatar

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

2 responses to “Nouveau Hills Sauv done good: Guthrie Obtenu Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2013”

  1. Great review Andrew. Had this recently and completely agree about some bottle age doing it good.
    Excellent stuff. I am curious about the Nebbiolo too. wondering if its also on the tasting cards for you..
    regards
    Ranjan

    1. Not in my pile as yet, but definitely keen to try.

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