Andrew Seppelt Wines Esparté 2012

Andrew Seppelt, winemaker at Murray Street Vineyards, also releases wines under his own label.

He's a bloke I admire - and yes, a bloke I call a mate - with a fondness for that Barossa stalwart: Mataro. 

He, in 2000, as the world had its eye on the Olympic gravy train and Sydney, in his own words: "snuck out the back door with Vanessa and worked in Provence for a while. I fell in love with the styles of wine made from Mataro and the way the flavours worked with such an array of different food styles."

Here, the Mataro - under one of its many synonyms Esparté - has been guided to produce a white wine, minimal skin contact - enough to leach a little golden colour. Fresh, floral - possesses a sense of honeyed tropics, passing more than a resemblance to its white rhone cousins - with a little lanolin and almond skin. 

It's a textural number - and that's where its strength lies - nicely weighted, a pinch of phenolics - spice flowing through on the palate. Generous length, not lacking there, backed up with a little citrus/ tangerine flavour and refreshing acidity. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 21st December, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.andrewseppelt.com/

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