Surprising sauvignon blanc wines to try

By Halliday Wine Companion for Oakdene, Vasse Felix, Chain of Ponds, Patritti and Flowstone

Think you know all there is to about sauvignon blanc and its blends? Think again. There are plenty of styles out there that are more than likely to surprise you, as you’ll find from the wines ahead.

2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard Jessica Sauvignon

Pale-straw colour with a green tinge. A restrained bouquet of tropical fruits, citrus overtones and nutty aromas from barrel-fermentation. Offering abundant guava and white-peach fruit flavours, with notes of vanilla and a mineral edge, the oak influence adds texture to the mid-palate. The acidity builds precision, focus and length. Enjoy now or cellar for up to four years for the wine to gain weight and complexity.

RRP $28 | 2021 | Oakdene

2017 Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Made from a selection of the most intense parcels of Margaret River sauvignon blanc and semillon fruit, and using intricate winemaking techniques to develop a powerful, textural wine with brooding, savoury undertones. The palate is softer than the pungent perfume would suggest – plush and juicy with a long and full texture – revealing light and tangy Tahitian lime and yoghurt characters.

RRP $24 | 2022 | Vasse Felix

2018 Patritti Merchant Sauvignon Blanc

Super-fresh with masses of tropical fruit flavour and texture in the mouth. It is a mouthwatering sauvignon blanc, and it will suit a range of foods. Vegan-friendly.

RRP $24 | 2021 | Patritti

2016 Flowstone Sauvignon Blanc

Nectarines, guava, some flinty highlights, and a lime-zest finish. The palate has wonderful texture, while retaining a lightness and juiciness of fruit. There is a fantastic intensity and length of flavour.

RRP $32 | 2029 | Flowstone Wines

2018 Chain of Ponds Black Thursday Sauvignon Blanc

Intensely aromatic and vibrant citrus, melon and guava are integrated with subtle passionfruit and fresh cucumber nuances to create a wine of balanced acidity and excellent fruit length. ‘Black Thursday’, first released in 1996, commemorates the bushfire that swept the area in 1990. It was the vineyard that stopped the bushfire, saving the town of Gumeracha.

RRP $20 | 2021 | Chain of Ponds

This article was produced by Halliday Wine Companion in partnership with Oakdene, Vasse Felix, Chain of Ponds, Patritti and Flowstone.