2024 Parish Vineyards Forcett Sauvignon Blanc $36

After buying the original Frogmore Creek vineyard at Penna in 2012 and renaming it Jansz Parish Vineyards, the Hill-Smith family wasted no time in casting their eyes over the nearby landscape for an additional site to expand the company's wine grape production. An adjacent land title was soon snapped up, later to become Mount Lord Vineyard. Less than 15km further south-east, more property was purchased at Forcett. The greenfield site - subsequently called Woodside - became the location of an impressive 40ha vineyard that sprang to life in late 2017.

Sauvignon Blanc is Tasmania's fourth most planted wine grape variety after Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. So it's not surprising the variety found a new home at Forcett. And judging by this release, a very good home, it seems. 

The soils here are appreciably different from Penna, with its free-draining sandy loam able to cope with the slightly higher rainfall experienced at Forcett. The mean January temperature at Woodside is also around 0°5C cooler than Penna, largely due to its exposure to occasionally fresh sea breezes. It sounds ideal Sauvignon Blanc terroir, doesn't it?

This 2024 wine is the beneficiary of a cool to mild but high quality growing season in southern Tasmania. So you'd expect it to be bright, very pale and intensely varietal on the nose and the palate. And it is, too. Thankfully, there's more than just green pea and gooseberry on offer. White flowers, lime/citrus and Nelly Kelly passionfruit have also come along for the ride. The wine is zesty and refreshing - with some minerally edges - and is bound to be a crowd pleaser this summer.

Two quibbles. Does this wine look like a premium $36 product? Honestly, where were the marketing folks when this label was sent off to the printers? Dull and unimaginative is only the start of it. If you're charging a premium price, then the packaging - especially the label - has to be appropriate and meet consumer expectations. 

The second issue is equally concerning. Value-for-money. The Marlborough menace.

Source: Media sample