2025 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc

Very light green-yellow; subdued aromas of young-wine herb and a hint of flinty reduction, spice and gooseberry building as it airs in the glass; the palate firm and racy with bright acidity and a little firmness, the finish resultingly dry. Very good concentration and persistence. This underplays varietal shrillness with appealing results. A good food wine. Delicious!

Aged in Hungarian oak. Restrained aromas on the nose, such excellent nuance here. Not at all grassy or green, but there is a touch of gooseberry on the finish. Textural and creamy. Drink 2025-2030

There is Sauvignon Blanc, and then there is this style. A small portion is oak-fermented, some sees skin contact, and the remainder is tank-fermented, combining to deliver precision and complexity. Aromas show perfumed, slightly nutty tropical fruit notes. The palate is defined by length and detail, with excellent fruit expression from both Margaret River and the Great Southern in a strong vintage. Drinks beautifully now but will benefit from short-term cellaring.

Thrillingly herbaceous, vibrant and alive. It’s the kind of energy that we associate with the grape delivered on a super bright zesty acidity that just keeps on going. Exuberant grassy, herbal aromas in gooseberry, green melon, grapefruit, dill and sage. Assured with an equally lively showing of herbs, grasses and citrus on the palate with strong lemon pithy features and pea shoot. A chalky texture builds, the perfect partner for bringing fruit and acidity together. A classic style Sauvignon for those who love a kick of herbals, grass and citrus intensity.

Pale colour. Nettles, grassy lemon curd aromas with underling savoury notes. Generous and fruity with ample grassy, lemon curd, touch nettles flavours, loose knit chalky textures, some mid palate viscosity and long fresh acidity. Finishes chalky and minerally long.

It captures both fresh tropical fruit flavours and creamy leesy, smoky oak complexity, which also builds up weight. Full of lime juice and zest, guava and feijoa, and lots of passionfruit. The brisk acidity keeps this super-fresh, balancing out the creaminess across the palate.

Designated as hailing from what must surely be one of the largest geographical regions on the planet, Western Australia, but with the focus is very much on the southern cooler regions of the State. While each batch is vinified discretely, and most are cool fermented in stainless steel, a few select batches are fermented in oak in order to enhance the texture and complexity of the wine. Very pale lemon in colour, there are strong aromatics here, as one would expect from the variety. We have notes of passionfruit and pineapple, and a touch of cut grass. There are herbal notes lingering in the background. This is a level above the standard Savvy. An attractive texture and early complexity is also evident. The wine has good focus, is of medium length and has a lovely, almost creamy, texture. It probably needs just a touch more length to go to the next level, but that may come. A very fine West Aussie Savvy.

Grapefruit, mint, raw cashews and wet stones set the tone on the nose here, but it’s all about that lemon-lime, zingy, steely acidity line on the palate. Some extra notes of tarragon, nettle and pineapple skin leap out of the glass, too. Very fresh wine, well made, varietal, satisfactory

Squeaky textured, fragrant, gently savoury sauvignon blanc with vivid tropical fruits, grassiness, citrusy twang. It does the job of being Very Varietal, a little restrained, a good dose of vibrancy and freshness in tow. A straightforward affair, plussed up with quiet complexity.

I really do see the allure of Sauvignon Blanc. When it’s made like this. It reminds me of eating tropical fruit salads in Fiji: cumquats, white pineapple, passionfruit and a touch of meadow flowers. In the mouth, the fruit becomes less bratty and more subtle indulgence. Lemon rind, pith and sea salt. There’s a lovely interplay of phenolics and acidity, creating presence, tension and palate weight. Drink this cold with a salad, french fries and fried zucchini flowers.