Coming from a single vineyard of 25-year-old vines the 2008 Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc was barrel fermented in used oak. It has riper aromas of intense grapefruit and lemon curd with a spot of passion fruit. Crisp with good weight, this medium-bodied wine finishes long and makes a refreshing glass to enjoy now. Windy Peak is the name of De Bortoli’s entry level Victoria range, often offering solid, well-made wines of impressive volumes at very good value.Importer: De Bortoli Wines USA Inc.; tel. + 1 201 714 9700; www.debortoli.com.au

The 2007 Sauvignon Reserve Release, which went through full malolactic fermentation. Light straw-colored, it offers up a fragrant bouquet of smoke, baking spices, mineral, melon, and mango. On the palate it is round, ripe, concentrated, and well balanced. This lengthy, pleasure-bent Sauvignon should continue to blossom for a year or two and drink well through 2014. De Bortoli produces a substantial amount of wine (it has four winemaking facilities) but under the leadership of manager/winemaker Stephen Webber this has not been a deterrent to high quality. Eight value wines were reviewed in Issue 178 and merit serious interest. The main winery facility which I visited in September 2008 is located in the cooler climate Yarra Valley where the focus is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Importer: De Bortoli Wines USA, Hoboken, NJ; tel. (201) 714-9700