Tasting Note This lively, youthful and quite ripe sauvignon shows more flavour intensity and depth than expected, likely due to the 19-year-old vines. The nose shows yellow plum, anise, fine herbs and notable leesy spiciness from the wild fermentation that should reduce in the weeks ahead. (There is no wood used in its production.) It is medium weight, very even and smooth with a hint of sweetness and 13% alcohol warmth. In fact, there is a pleasant coolness and evenness, with a fine line of acidity. The fruit presence remains generous across the palate and onto the finish. The length is excellent.

Backgrounder King + Victoria is small two-family partnership located barely 100 metres from the intersection of the same name in Vineland. It is powered by the maturing clay limestone Hanck Vineyard ideally situated on the apron of a slope in Twenty Mile Bench that neighbours the famous Wismer vineyard. The winery and vineyard are owned by Rob and Liz Harold and Tracey and Joe Schenck, who have farmed and sold fruit from the site for two decades. Although best known for the stellar Hanck pinot noir, there are several varieties including this sauvignon blanc (clone 530). It was hand-picked at 21.5 Brix, wild-yeast fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel. At bottling, residual sugar was 5.1 g/L and total acidity was 6.1 g/l.