Thursday, December 30, 2010

ALTA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010

- Adelaide Hills, SA
- $12-$23
- Screwcap (Stelvin-Lux)
- 12.5%alc

Maybe it's just me, but it seems Alta's Sauvignon Blanc has seen a steady rise in prominence since its initial 2005 release. This pleases me for two reasons; firstly, I think it's one of the Adelaide Hills' better (restrained) sauvignon blancs, and secondly, its competitive pricing (often reduced to under $15) sits in the exact range I usually have in mind when buying a wine of its type.

A clear fragrance of apples and limey minerals immediately clarify the refined edges of Alta's 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, aided by supporting notes of lychees and tropical fruit that do become fractionally more pronounced as the wine sits in the glass. In the mouth there's a real purity of leaner sauvignon blanc fruit evident, which amalgamates with a very crisp finish to produce a refreshing and summer-food friendly white. Beyond that initial assessment lies an effortless, natural flow of crisp green apple and citrus flavour, culminating with slightly crunchy, almost bitter-edged acids not too unlike that of the forbidden fruit itself.

ü Savvy fashionistas may want a bit more tropical fruit nuance here, but Alta's moderately fruited, ably structured sauvignon blanc has ticked the right boxes and missed all the wrong ones for me, especially for $13. Drink to 2012.
89 points


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