Bream Creek Fumé Blanc 2023

Winemaking sees Sauvignon Blanc getting an oak regime for 6 months maturation after stainless steel fermentation: 12.5% new French oak 225L barriques, with the rest in 2 to 4 year old oak of 225 to 500L sizes. Savoury and blonde oak, with a tomato vine herbaceous character under passionfruit seeds, campfire ash, bramble, young asparagus, grilled pineapple, lemon butter and lime juice. Handles the oak well, a little time in bottle allows for integration. Phenolic grip from the barrel work provides a raspy frame to citrus, pear and tropical fruit. Acidity cuts late, nudging a reminder of its cool climate origins. Serve with a candied walnut, roast beetroot and goats cheese salad.

Regan Drew

Regan is a regular wine columnist for the News Regional Media "Weekend" Magazine and digital "Life" sections. A graduate of the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course #47 he was awarded with Distinction WSET Level 3 in Wine & Spirits, has been an Associate Judge for the New South Wine Awards plus a couple of little stints helping out in the Hunter Valley and Tasmania during vintages with small but quality winemakers.