Domaine Lucci/Lucy Margaux Vineyards is a 100% biodynamic operation based at Basket Range in the Adelaide Hills. The wines draw on just over 3 hectares of estate vineyards, as well as fruit provided from other growers in the region.
The ethos here is not just biodynamic, but also minimum-interventionist (save for the use of sulphur dioxide in some of the wines). Although the label has been linked to the natural wine ‘movement’, the intent here seems to be to produce authentic wines that stand apart from the crowd. On the evidence of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, it seems to be doing so.
While natural wines are very much à la mode in some quarters, and derided in others (read Robert Parker’s tirade towards the natural winemakers), the key thing is how the wines perform in bottle. Certainly, the use (or not) of sulphites is a contentious issue. This particular wine is finished with sulphur dioxide and certainly seems none the worse for wear.
What we have is a Sauvignon Blanc of real distinction. This isn’t an in your face commercial Marlborough Sauvignon, nor is it a wannabe Sancerre. It is a vibrant, somewhat intellectual wine, with depth and interest that goes beyond simple ‘cats pee around a gooseberry bush’ Sauvignon Blanc stereotype. It is a wine with a razor sharp bite, a slight wild side to it. There's enough stuffing here to suggest that it should age very well.
2011 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Domaine Lucci
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2011
Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Diam
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.00
Date tasted: 12 February 2012
Tasting Note:
Pale silvery lemon. Complex and fragrant nose of nashi pears, lime, nettles, tarragon and fennel, flinty notes. Very dry, zesty and fresh, reverberates around the mouth, there’s no lack of acidity here. Excellent depth of fruit, lime/lemon, greengage, pleasant sour edge. Very refined and complex. Should age well, perhaps for up to 10 years.
Score: 17.5/20
The ethos here is not just biodynamic, but also minimum-interventionist (save for the use of sulphur dioxide in some of the wines). Although the label has been linked to the natural wine ‘movement’, the intent here seems to be to produce authentic wines that stand apart from the crowd. On the evidence of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, it seems to be doing so.
While natural wines are very much à la mode in some quarters, and derided in others (read Robert Parker’s tirade towards the natural winemakers), the key thing is how the wines perform in bottle. Certainly, the use (or not) of sulphites is a contentious issue. This particular wine is finished with sulphur dioxide and certainly seems none the worse for wear.
What we have is a Sauvignon Blanc of real distinction. This isn’t an in your face commercial Marlborough Sauvignon, nor is it a wannabe Sancerre. It is a vibrant, somewhat intellectual wine, with depth and interest that goes beyond simple ‘cats pee around a gooseberry bush’ Sauvignon Blanc stereotype. It is a wine with a razor sharp bite, a slight wild side to it. There's enough stuffing here to suggest that it should age very well.
Producer: Domaine Lucci
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2011
Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Diam
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.00
Date tasted: 12 February 2012
Tasting Note:
Pale silvery lemon. Complex and fragrant nose of nashi pears, lime, nettles, tarragon and fennel, flinty notes. Very dry, zesty and fresh, reverberates around the mouth, there’s no lack of acidity here. Excellent depth of fruit, lime/lemon, greengage, pleasant sour edge. Very refined and complex. Should age well, perhaps for up to 10 years.
Score: 17.5/20
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