2022 Oates Ends The GWB
The wine is a tribute to the great white blend of Margaret River and is also in memory of an unfortunate encounter with a white shark before vintage 2021 and the incredible support I received from the wine community following. This quintessential blend brings the exotic passionfruit of Sauvignon blanc with a twist of classic lemon and lime citrus and bracing acidity of Semillon.
Andrew Caillard – The Vintage Journal 93 points. “Pale colour. Lemon rind, tropical fruit, creamy aromas with hints of herbs. Fresh supple, sapid, and singing with pure ample citrus and tropical fruits, fine lacy textures, and indelible long acidity. Early drinking style.”
Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine. 93 points "GWB could stand for great white blend or great white bite, as the back label mentions winemaker Cath Oates’ close encounter with a white shark. Lots of detail in the wine, which is fermented in barrel (10% new) and spends six months on lees, and some barrels go through mlf. A good thing as the acidity is racy and tangy; lots of lemon and spice, lime curd and kiwi fruit. Lightly textural and tangy to the end. A good drink here."
Ray Jordan - Ray Jordan Wine 91 points. “A most approachable blend of sauvignon blanc, semillon and chardonnay with just a light touch of oak to brings some palate complexity. The name is reference to winemaker Cath Oates close encounter with a Great White. It's an appealing with excellent flavour and a defining acidity to sustain the finish.” Cellar 5 years.
WINEMAKING: The Sauvignon Blanc (79%) and Semillon (21%) are harvested together and co-fermented. Fermented cool initially in stainless steel tank to retain aromatics the wine then completes fermentation in French oak barriques, 10% new. Seven months ageing on yeast lees in oak, with regular stirring, adds layer of creamy complexity and a lightly savoury note to the wine.
VINTAGE: The 2022 vintage was warm and dry and will go down in history as one of the greats. Perfect ripening and a naturally small crop gave wines with incredible depth of flavour and strong varietal typicity.
CELLARING AND SERVING: A wine that has not just incredible freshness but also length and texture, able to match a wide variety of foods and also to develop complexity with bottle age.