Anecdotally, Sauvignon Blanc, alone and in blends, seems to be the quaffer of choice for casual work lunches and similar occasions. It's not hard to see why; flavours are for the most part easily discerned and unchallenging. There are some quite lovely versions of the "classic dry white" blend. The Grosset springs immediately to mind, and the Margaret River style seems especially prized by the lunchtime crowd. Most examples, though, seem to express more modest vinous aspirations. This one, from McLaren Vale based winery Tatachilla, is made from fruit sourced across South Australia.
A sharp, upfront aroma profile comprising powdery lemon and some tropical fruit, along with a suggestion of astringent herbs (basil-like). It's simple and a little tame within the context of the style, and a far cry from the grassy Margaret River style. In the mouth, entry lacks immediacy but builds flavour towards the mid-palate, where more citrus and passionfruit settles on the tongue. The Semillon influence is most noticeable in the wine's palate weight, which is more substantial than a straight Sauvignon Blanc. Despite the weight, flavours strike me as dilute, and the wine never reaches an adequate crescendo of intensity. Acidity ramps up as the wine moves to the after palate, and the finish is as much textural as it is flavoursome.
A very quaffable, straightforward wine that, to my taste, offers little beyond the immediate. That's no bad thing; in fact, this wine is well judged with respect to its likely market and consumption context. Just don't expect a bundle of character here.
Price: $A9.50
Closure: Stelvin
Date tasted: August 2008
I was of the belief that white wines had a life expectancy of 12 months, but I cannot find any questions/answers to this on Tatachilla website
I have a bottle of McLaren Vale Chardonnay Vintage 1999 and would like to verify that it is able to be drunk without adverse effects
Hi Pamela,
Old white wines certainly won't kill you, but they also may not be especially satisfying. It all depends on the wine in question. A wine such as this Tatachilla, for example, is probably best drunk within twelve months of bottling, so you can enjoy its fresh fruit flavours. With age, this freshness may fade but additional flavours may not develop in the bottle, leading to a flat, perhaps even oxidised, wine. Other white styles age beautifully and develop a whole range of secondary flavours.
It really depends on the wine and also your taste. Some people simply don't like old white (or indeed red) wines.