Passel Estate Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2019

If we accept that Marlborough is the measure by which we judge the level of pungency and outright outrageous herbaceous-ness of the sauvignon blanc grape, then the Passel Estate 2019 sauvignon rates up there. Cut grass, gooseberry, green asparagus and a mass of intense herbals with a light tropical fruit overlay offers a mighty pungent and highly appealing greeting to this wine. Then it gets more interesting, aka, complex. Fermentation in stainless steel and French oak brings extra light and shade, not to mention flavour.

This blends the over-the-top qualities many of us like to see in our sauvignon blanc with some added sophistication through its mouth-filling texture across the mid-palate and gentle, oak-derived biscuit-mealy notes. It’s fleshy with a touch of grapefruit pith, lime and citrus enhanced by a light dusting of passionfruit pulp on the finish accompanied by a touch of sweetness. This wine was awarded the trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc at the Australia & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show in 2021. The judges weren’t wrong.