Light gold, with a fresh, green rim. Stonefruit, pear and citrus notes and seductive fresh toast, dried herbs and malty aromas from barrel fermentation. Palate Remarkable fruit sweetness, intensity and persistence, matched with lovely texture and savoury elements and balanced by fresh, natural acidity. A prolonged cool and wet growing season meant the vines were lush and healthy heading into ripening. This resulted in later harvest dates, accentuated by the cool and wet ripening months; conditions not experienced in Western Australia for more than 10 years. These conditions, coupled with the absence of heat events, produced highly aromatic whites with good natural acidity. The fruit was selectively handpicked at perfect ripeness, before being loaded into an airbag press and gently squeezed. The free-run juice was continuously tasted until an optimum point was reached. The juice underwent wild fermentation in new French oak puncheons, then remained in barrel for 7-10 months, with monthly lees stirring to provide texture and mouthfeel. Each batch was carefully assessed for inclusion in the final blend. This minimal handling has produced a unique, delicate Redbrook Chardonnay style that will develop great complexity over time.

The wine displays fresh green tinges on a pale straw colour. The nose exhibits aromas of fresh cut pear and honey dew melon with some zesty citric notes. There are no overt woody or buttery aromas with the primary fruit characters expressed with clarity and definition. The palate is fresh and lively with clean crisp acidity complementing the vibrant fruity flavours. The palate has very good extension and ends clean and bright. The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a group settlement farm for returned soldiers from the First World War. Known as Sussex Vale the property was originally a dairy farm. The current homestead, considerably renovated, still has much of the original Group Settlement look and feel. Vines were first planted in the early 1970s. In the late 1980s the vineyard was bought by the Morrison Family and the wine brand Hay Shed Hill was established taking its name from the local reference to the hay shed located on the property. The sister label, Pitchfork, was developed to complement the single vineyard Hay Shed Hill label. A series of ownership changes saw numerous alterations to labels, wine style and distribution until the current group of partners bought back the farm and the brand in late 2006 and returned to the original concept of producing wine with integrity that expresses the quality of the site.

Umamu Estate only releases their wines when theyve had time to develop in the bottle and this Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is drinking beautifully now. In the glass: Beautifully vibrant bright lemon with a still-youthful green tint. On the nose: Lifted mix of toast and honey development. On the palate: Rich and beautifully developed with a lovely warm core of buttered toast, preserved lemon and lemon curd in a terrifically textured, layered and complex wine. So remarkably fresh and complex.

Pale straw green in colour. Complex bouquet, nutty and lifted. The palate is fine and deep with a lengthy finish.

2020 A mild 2020 spring with reasonable rainfall provided excellent growing conditions. A wet November followed by a warm and dry December and January set the vines for up for a regular season.However wet and humid conditions in February created an unusual vintage with extreme weather. As a result, the 2021 vintage required extra work and attention to detail in the vineyard. The final wines show incredible flavour at lower Baume’s with bright natural acidity. Great fruit purity and varietal expression.

All Cullen Wines are grown on a certified Biodynamic, Carbon Neutral and naturally powered estate. Grapes are harvested by hand on fruit and flower days according to the astrological calendar. The wines have no additions of yeast, acid or malolactic culture, and are in this sense natural wines which express the place and land on which they are grown, the vintage and the people.