Chestnut Hill is situated in what I thought were the Dandenongs, but is, in fact, West Gippsland and, might I add, far from what I think of when I picture Gippsland. Leaving my geographical failings aside, this is a supreme Sauvignon Blanc. It has wonderful varietal typicity, yet doesn't exhibit those face smashing tropical notes so commonly seen in this variety. There are suggestions of smoke and pepper, and the length is clean and long. There are but a few examples of Sauvignon Blanc in Australia that offer this kind of freshness at three years old, and this in my mind is the top of the pile. Actually regardless of its age I think this is one of the country's best examples of a variety that is being too closely associated with cheap, nasty and common. This wine is none of those things and best of all will cost you about $23, a beautifully rounded and most of all tasty wine.

< BACK TO ARCHIVE