Patina SB910 Cuvee Fumé
Region: Orange NSW | $27
I’m with Patina’s owner and winemaker, Gerald Naef, when he expresses a desire to build greater palate depth and complexity into sauvignon blanc and make a more food-friendly style.
His SB910 Cuvee Fumé is a useful starting point in this quest. The hallmark herbaceousness is still there but partial barrel fermentation has subdued the variety’s aromatic excesses and added real texture and weight to the palate.
I’d prefer just a tad more length to the palate, but I do regard this as a very worthwhile development with a variety the nation has fallen for head over heels in lust, often with absolutely no flesh to back up the superficial perfumed sexiness.
Visit www.patinawines.com.au
— JOHN ROZENTALS*
*John Rozentals is a Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) graduate.
Samples for tasting and review should be addressed to John Rozentals, PO Box 3484, Rhodes 2138.
