2008 Teusner "Woodside" Sauvignon Blanc

Adelaide Hills 13.5% Screwcap $20- Tasted 18/1/09

My prices are what I got them for unless otherwise noted.

So saying, thought it was time to write up a Savy from one of my favourite wineries. I like just about everything the folks at Teusner are doing (I’m just yet to taste the beer!). Kym Teusner obviously possesses great talent as a winemaker. The story behind his journey to that position is fascinating. Dave Brookes is great communicator and keeps things down to earth but doesn’t dumb down wine. The wines are approachable young but still complex, can cellar (reds at least) and they are immensely fun to drink. And the reds taste like Barossan reds.

So now to the white. It’s well known I don’t love Sauvignon Blanc, but I do have time for some expressions of it. Mostly I’m looking for texture, interest and/or funk.

The lees treatment makes the 08 Woodside work as far as I’m concerned. It’s that interesting play between sauvignon blanc’s acidity and the creamy mid-palate provided by the lees (as far as I can call it). Aromas of gooseberry, sundry tropical fruits, nettles and grass veritably leap from the glass. Thankfully any passionfruit is restrained. A little sweaty but in an interesting way that just makes the wine better. Touch of pleasant minerality too. Acid driven and sharp finish is quite thrilling in the mouth after the creamy mid palate lounge about. Some herbaceous notes just add to the character. Love its line and the stinging nettle on the finish. It has almost anaesthetic type qualities.

Oh, I wrote here it has a pale straw hue, if you’re into that.

Ok, a Sav Blanc for me then. Look forward to trying the next vintage and also Arete Wine’s version which David kindly tweeted “the making of” to us on the net. Made at the same winery, sounds funky!

A 90 and a sincere reco from me then

Winery website- http://www.teusner.com.au/

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