Funny thing about sauvignon blanc. I often find that the sauvignons I can guzzle most easily aren’t necessarily those that I’d award the highest points to. They mightn’t have the complexity of the truly best, or else might have some slight flaw over otherwise delicious fruit. One such wine is the Brookland Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2003 from Margaret River. It’s punchy, bright and concentrated, and finishes with a refreshing minerality. But it’s not hugely complex and it does pull in some alcohol. Chill it down and wash it down over a plate of oysters and you’ll never notice. Moving to something entirely different, the holding of the Hess Group in Peter Lehmann Wines has topped 80%. Just goes to show what a unique group of shareholders had previously owned this company, and how much respect and loyalty they collectively showed to Peter Lehmann and his preferred future direction for the business. Without wanting to sound too smug, it’s worth pointing out that on the 26th of September, this website published: ‘The Hess Group would never have gone this far without expecting Allied to go to A$4.00, so I fully anticipate another bid from the Swiss corner to equal it. Then shareholders will again be left with an even choice between the two bidders. If it stays even, I expect Hess to win.’
