2023 Apricus Hill Sauvignon Blanc

Apricus Hill is one of the labels in the Harewood Estate lime-up at Denmark in the Great Southern of Western Australia, where James Kellie makes a dizzying array of wines. At 750 meters, Apricus Hill is the highest vineyard in the area. The climate is pretty cool around Denmark, so it comes as no surprise that the wines shout ‘cool climate’ given the height of this vineyard. Fruit as fresh as the morning dew, vibrant, crisp and crunchy, steely backbones, great length. Some of this savvy was fermented in 500l oak puncheons to add complexity, and it works

This wine sees fermentation take place in new French oak barrels. It feels potent in its more fruity and herbal conditions rather than offering an influence of oak handling, but perhaps we perceive subtle sandalwood scents and touches of marzipan and nougat in the wash of passionfruit, cut grass, white pepper and light gooseberry going on. Refreshing, bright, some lively, chalky textural nuances – this does a good job with the variety, lending complexity to high refreshment factor.