Tamburlaine Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012

I hear a lot about wines from Orange, yet have the opportunity to taste very few of them down here in Melbourne.  This wine’s a “reserve” sauvignon blanc.  It sees some maturation on lees and, critically in terms of style, part of the wine sees some oak – something that the paradigm Marlborough sauvignon blanc style does not.  The wine is also organically produced.  

The result is not bad.  A pale intensity lemon in colour, initial and muted aromatics of wood, smoke and cloaked spices give way to more typical stone and gooseberry notes.  The palate is quite tangy in expression in a lemon like kind of way.  Its high acid frames a sprinkling of spices and gooseberries and medium length.  Probably a little tangy for my own preference, but pleasant drinking nonetheless and quite a low alcohol level too.  Acceptable to Good

Abv: 11.3%
Price: $30
Source: sample
Vendors: Check http://www.wine-searcher.com/
Website: http://www.tamburlaine.com.au
Tasted: 2012