Oates Ends Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- 93
- $25
- Drink by: 2020 - 2022
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This small Margaret River operation is quickly building a reputation for exceptional wines, not a bad feat given the surrounding competition. As with all Oates Ends wines, elegantly packaged.
From the Wilyabrup sub-region (subject to some intense scrutiny in respect of a possible, and locally controversial, appellation system), this has incurred some barrel fermentation. The old Sem Sauv Blanc combo was well known as the region’s classic dry white blend, until it was swept away by the Kiwi Sauvalanche. I found a few too many of them to be a bit too grassy to really excite, but this one has no such issues. Tropical fruit just explodes from the glass. Passionfruit galore. A whiff of pineapple. Bold, full-flavoured, this is nicely balanced with good acidity; seamless and with serious length. Drink it now or for two years. For me, this is one of the best Sem Savvy blends going.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
