2020 Carbonic Blanc | Verdelho
A different perspective on verdelho: tangy and textural jungle juice with salivating grapefruit, pithy phenolics. Vibrant and fresh… and a little bit kooki.
Ramping up the volume on an old favourite. Verdelho from Willespie Vineyard in Wilyabrup, Margaret River, was hand picked and then blanketed in carbon dioxide, undergoing carbonic maceration for three, four and six weeks. The whole bunches were pressed to seasoned French barriques and wild fermented on full solids. Post ferment the barrels were topped with chardonnay lees and SO2 was added, preventing malolactic fermentation. The barrels were stirred every 3 – 4 weeks until July. Bottled on 12th August 2020.
90 Points – Erin Larkin Wine Companion
Golden glints in the glass. The palate is grippy and textural, drying almost, but tempered by cooling acidity. The fruit strays onto the white stone fruit spectrum, while the spice remains firmly pinned to white pepper and crushed limestone.
Top 12 Verdelhos – Dom Sweeney Gourmet Traveler WINE
Interesting is an understatement; there’s toast, cashew, pickled lime and vanilla pastry, but it’s more about feel and texture than flavour. Mouthwatering acidity and chewy, pithy phenolics lead the way for the next glass.