
2019 Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Vintage Conditions
The 2019 vintage required high attention to detail in the vineyard and highlighted the benefit of having four diverse vineyards across the Margaret River region. Weather patterns were inconsistent, presenting challenges in budburst and flowering throughout the winter and spring months. A lack of extreme temperatures in summer and autumn combined with leaf-plucking, shoot thinning and bunch thinning encouraged more even ripening. Nets were essential to protect fruit, with a lack of Marri blossom in the region to distract the bees and birds. The resulting low yields presented fragrant wines with succulent natural acidities.
Winemaking Note
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are all harvested separately according to their flavours and natural acidity balances. The fruit is cold pressed; the juice settled and then fermented using a variety of techniques. A portion is fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures to preserve freshness, while around 20% of the cuvee is fermented in French oak barriques to provide textural and complexing elements. We matched a yeast strain specifically to this wine in order to enhance the natural varietal characters of passionfruit and gooseberry. When fermentation was complete, the wine was then aged on it’s lees with gentle battonage for about a month before bottling in July to retain freshness.
Tasting Notes
A Margaret River favourite, this wine is vibrant with aromas of jasmine, white pear and freshly squeezed limes. On the palate, a pristine entry of natural acidity is balanced with flavours of nectarine, white flowers and creamy French oak tones. A balance of volume and vibrancy, left to linger by bracing minerality and driving texture.
Accolades
TROPHY - Margaret River Wine Show 2019
BLUE-GOLD Top 100 - Sydney International Wine Competition 2019
Top 100 Whites - Ray Jordan, The West Australian 2019
92 Points - James Suckling 2020
Cellaring
Up to 4 years, however we enjoy it for freshness now.