Dominique Portet
Dominique Portet got his first whiff of wine at one of the world’s most illustrious wine properties: Château Lafite-Rothschild. It was here in Pauillac that his father, André Portet, served as régisseur (vineyard & winery manager). Dominique went on to earn his stripes at Montpellier University of Oenology before perking up morale as wine-buying adviser during compulsory military service. He later spent vintages in the Médoc, Rhône Valley, Provence and with Champagne giant Moët et Chandon, as well as in the Napa Valley at his brother Bernard’s Clos du Val estate. Since 1976 he has been a pioneer of the renaissance of Australia’s cool-climate wine industry, founding renowned sparkling wine house Taltarni in the Pyrenees and Clover Hill in Tasmania. In 2000 he embarked on his greatest adventure: the Dominique Portet winery in the Yarra Valley.
Grapes:Sauvignon Blanc
Taste: It has aromas of white blossom, lime zest, white stone fruits, dry grass and honeycomb. That same array comes through on a palate that is delightfully light on its feet. There’s textural interest from creamy lees and the barrel-fermented parcel, but the overall impression is of delicacy and finesse. The hallmark limey acidity gives a crackle to the stone fruit, citrus and wet-stone notes, which retain great focus through the beautifully balanced finish.
