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.

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."

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.