Terre à Terre Crayeres Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Can Australian Sauvignon Blanc age? Most drinkers don’t bother. It probably has more to do with the quality of Sauvignon Blanc, which so often doesn’t lend itself to any great complexity or ageing potential. Terre à Terre is a rare exception, a serious maker of Sauvignon, one who shows what is possible. At 11 years of age, the 2012 Sauvignon pushes the boundary for sure but wait till you try it. If only we could all age so well. Mid gold hues. Spring blossom and delicate honey aromas with citrus, lemon curd, sage, smoky vanilla toast. The flavour development with time in bottle has produced a wine full of character and charm, still awash in primary – baked apple, citrus, green herbs – as well as secondary characters – honey, toast. Acidity is holding well, and that flourish of lime cordial on the finish is a delight. A most persuasive argument for ageing Sauvignon, especially so in a good year like 2012. P.S. The makers say the style – ripe fruit and barrel age – is inspired by Sancerre cult producer, Pascal Cotat.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic