Thompson Estate Margaret River SSB 2025

This is a quality white blend, the style they used to call ‘classic dry white’ (perhaps they still do in the West). Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc do seem to make a natural combination. The team aimed for optimum ripeness at harvest and then both varieties were fermented discretely. There is a touch of barrel fermentation included, and native yeasts are in play. The split between the two varieties is normally around 3/4 Semillon and 1/4 Sauvignon Blanc. From the Wilyabrup sub-region. Pale gold in colour, this is quite a complex example of the style, and it does show some oak influence, which may dissipate over time, but is evident at this early stage. The nose offers aromas of dried herbs, citrus, crisp green apples, a touch of passionfruit and pineapple, spices and nettles. A most appealing texture, on the palate we see the tropical notes play a more dominant role. There is good balance throughout. Early days, but this wine of medium to good length should continue to provide pleasure for at least the next four to six years.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

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.

Wine writer and critic