Firebird Sauvignon Blanc
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2009
Adelaide Hills
12%
7.1 g/L
3.1
Sauvignon Blanc shows its best characteristics when it is grown at high altitude in a cool climate such as the Adelaide Hills. Our 2009 Sauvignon Blanc was primarily sourced from our Woodlands Ridge and Tunnel Hill vineyards located towards the northern end of the Adelaide Hills. Our vineyards range between 450 and 480 metres above sea level and maintained a relatively cool mean temperature of 19 degrees Celsius during the growing season. Our source blocks employed a mix of arched cane pruning and spur pruning depending upon the viticultural aspects of each site.
Viticulture
The 2009 growing season was cooler than 2008 with only one major heatwave just prior to veraison. A warm start to the growing season encouraged good canopy growth and lots of shade protecting the delicate aromatic characters of the variety. Moderate temperatures during the ripening period encouraged enhanced flavour development. Harvest started close to the average for the Adelaide Hills with four batches of Sauvignon Blanc grapes, each with different Baume levels (sugar concentration), arriving at the winery between 12 and 13 March, 2009.
Winemaking
Winemaking responsibilities rest with Peter Leske with support provided by Mark Kozned. Peter’s two decades of experience with one of the Adelaide Hills most renowned wineries provides the platform for the production of our premium cool climate wines. Four batches of grapes were harvested and each batch was separately crushed, destemmed and chilled prior to gentle airbag pressing with only the free run juice retained allowing the elegant and delicate qualities of Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc to come to the fore. The juice was fermented for approximately 20 days at low temperatures to enhance the retention of the classical varietal characters of Sauvignon Blanc. One batch of juice received partial oak treatment to enhance mid palate characteristics.
Tasting Notes
Our 2009 continues our tradition of producing unpretentious, distinctive but elegant wines that accentuate the varietal characters of Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. The ‘09 wine displays elements of cut grass and herbal notes with a hint of freshly opened passionfruit. The distinctive aromas combine on the palate where fresh limes, a hint of spice and crunchy green apples come to the fore. The wine has balanced natural acidity and the finish is long and lingering.
REVIEWS AND AWARDS
Field grasses with a fair bit of life spring out of the glass, a sense of herb gardens and fresh limes and tangy green apples to bite into, with plenty of crunchy acidity holding up a lingering finish.
92 Points. The Advertiser Top 100 Wines