Mayfield Vineyard Estate'Sophie's Godmother' Sauvignon Blanc

"This is an extraordinary wine, oozing with class and I feel it has a game-changing aspect to its demeanor that I imagine people will notice immediately. It is unique, with oblique references to countless other SB classics, and yet it is its own beast and I cannot wait for Sauvignon Blanc fans to experience its otherworldly charms."

It's intensely aromatic on the nose, showing green apple, fig, fresh herb and lime peel characters, leading to a wonderfully flavoursome palate offering excellent fruit purity with crisp acidity, finishing splendidly long and lively. A gorgeous rendition of the variety, offering fabulous drinking. At its best: now to 2029

This 2022 Sophia's Godmother Sauvignon Blanc in blessed with a gorgeous nose: juniper, cassis, sugar snap pea, talc and crushed shells. In the mouth, the wine is tight as a drum, delicate and totally focused. Quite different from the Sauvignon Blancs from elsewhere, this is possessed of a distinctly powdery character (I'm not hinting at anything: it is airy, breezy and fine); I often write poudré, a reference to finely milled face powder. This has that inflection. The acid is a high point, and although there are things about the wine that suggest it will age several years with grace, I would be inclined to drink it in its extreme youth, such is the prettiness of the fruit.

The New South Wales Orange region produces some great examples of Sauvignon Blanc. This tight and zesty release goes down really well. From a new producer to hit this tasting bench, these 23 year old vines deliver a lemony tang and zippiness through the mouth to steal the show. Snow peas, cut herbs, papaya, and pineapple play a neat supporting role and add a tropical feel. The acid is highly strung but has that cleansing appeal. The lemony goodness comes full circle and goes at it again. Enjoy with fish and chips - the acid will cut through fatty foods with ease.

Orange is so undervalued in the world of Sauvignon Blanc with the wines always displaying lovely, vibrant fruits and subtlety. This is a perfect example with generous lifted aromas – classic Sauvignon – of blackcurrant, crushed leaves and a touch of asparagus. An attractive blend of zesty acidity follows in a light weight package with a gentle creaminess to the texture and touch of sweetness on a citrus and herb scented palate. A fine, zesty finish provides the perfect conclusion.

Of these, the wines of Orange – a region of just over 1,000 ha (2,471 acres) of vines – were notably successful, especially those of Mayfield and Philip Shaw. The element of elevation (up to around 1,000 m/3,280 ft) seems to add an extra dimension of freshness and purity to the wines. Smoky nose, with subtle tropical notes, slight reductive notes as well – gun smoke. The palate has plenty of zesty acidity, pithy notes, mandarin skin and good concentration. Very fresh and well made – love the zippy and brittle mid palate, racy and energetic.

"A sauv blanc in the old style but not so old that you'd call it White Bordeaux. Refreshingly traditional without the new world (NZ) excess or trendy use of oak. Apparently Sophie's Godmother found this vineyard! "To lose one vineyard is unfortunate...".

The Mayfield Sauvignon Blanc vines benefit from an elevation of 780m and a vine age of 23 years. The cool 2022 vintage meant the grapes experienced a long hang time and lovely physiological ripeness. The wine displays green gooseberries, ripe mango skin and dried papaya with a hint of pepperoncini and wet stone. A charitable fruit weight and lemon citron palate dominates the more tropical fruit and the wine finishes with a genuine lick of natural acidity. No mistaking its Sauvignon Blanc character, served up with vibrancy and grace.

"... vibrant and fresh with an appealing softness and none of the overt grassiness that a lot of Sav Blancs display."

The 2022 Mayfield 'Sophie's Godmother' Sauvignon Blanc is a flavour bomb of quintessential green Sauvignon Blanc typicity. It's 'in your face' with a punch of passionfruit, feijoa and pineapple. The cool climate acid grab contributes astringency and back palate grip. It brings to mind examplars of young Marlborough (NZ) Sauvignon Blancs.

Vibrant bouquet of passionfruit, lychees + a hint of melon. Masses of lovely passionfruit flavours on the zingy yet smooth palate. A delightfully easy drinking wine.

Green and tight. Guava and green mango with varietal pineapple core and young asparagus, rolled fresh grass and blackcurrant leaf. The palate initially creamy and full before a little regional cut and zesty acidity. Displays good balance and easy fruit.

The Mayfield sauvignon blanc vines benefit from an elevation of 780m and have a vine age of 23 years. The cool 2022 vintage allowed for a long hang time and lovely physiological ripeness. Classic gooseberry and tropical fruits with crushed blue stone. The palate has a lively citrus feel and a fruity and classic expressive style.

It takes a fair bit for a Sauvignon Blanc to get me interested and this one did after I’d taken in the aromas that were definitely varietal. Green peas, asparagus and a little herbal note were present on the nose and continue on the fresh, flavoursome palate where they coalesce with tropical fruit notes, then a little texture and a citrusy hit on the finish for good measure.