The Sauvignon Blanc that changed this wine critic’s mind
The Weekend Australian’s wine columnist Nick Ryan described a day of tasting Sauvignon Blanc as being a little mundane and professed it to be one of his not-so-favourite varieties. That was until… the 2023 Marri Wood Park Sauvignon Blanc caught his eye in a recent tasting and he awarded it a magnificent 95 points.
“It’s not my least favourite variety [Sauv Blanc], and I enjoy the good ones, but tasting them en masse is like being locked in a room with someone else’s shouty kids…
…I was having that exact kind of day when one wine leapt up to save me. It has a distinctive energy, and told its story quietly but persuasively. It was a wine built on texture rather than ebullient aromatics; it has layers and depth to it.'“ – Nick Ryan
Touching on the biodynamic magic of the Marri Wood Park vineyard, the unconventional management of Julian Wright and delicate yet distinctive winemaking of Nic Peterkin – Ryan’s article was pithy and praising.
On the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Ryan said
“This is a serious sauvignon, tight and textural, a collection of citrus-drenched minerals…”.
What else did he try?
Handing the 2023 Chenin Blanc a cool 95 points as well, Ryan said “Peterkin’s feel for what Chenin needs to shine is on show here…impressive energy and drive.”
On the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Ryan commented on “ [the] fuller, plumper, plummy quality… could come from a portion of the wine spending extended time on skins.”
A little more about Marri Wood…
Tucked away in the warm northern pocket of the Margaret River Wine Region, Marri Wood Park is the architect of sustainable wine in Western Australia. The biodynamic philosophies of Rudolf Steiner and Alex Podolinsky permeate the bush site in Yallingup where the vines are, for the most part, left alone to speak for themselves. The distinct properties of Marri Wood Park fruit can by and large be accredited to Julian Wright’s trust is the cosmos and natural environmental order of the vineyard and its surrounds. Winemaker Nic Peterkin is delicate, confident and hands off with his winemaking, so the incredible properties of the site can sing.
To view our portfolio or organise a tasting please reach out to the Craft Alliance team on 08 9755 9361 or via the Contact Us page.