This Thirsty Thursday we travel to Bordeaux….via Australia?

Yes, far away from the famed/derided/wallabied land of Shiraz in South Australia, on the Western coast flows the Margaret River towards India:

Like Bordeaux’s Gironde River, Margaret draws moisture from the Indian Ocean, turning this nub into a cooler, wetter climate than the hot, arid sands of the East.

Cape Mentelle saw potential and planted Bordeaux’s famed Cab Sauv, Merlot, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc: grapes that honestly can’t handle hotter climates.

This Thirsty Thursday we wake our palates up with a 2014 (thank you Southern Hemisphere) blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semillon.

Appearance: A clear, painfully pale lemon fills my glass, glinting wintery and white.

Aromas: Lime peel, verbena, white tea and sea salt emerge with moderate intensity.

Palate: Dry, tightly strung acidity lightens the already light 12.5% alcohol into an even more feathery body.

Flavors: Semillon’s plump melon and pear (Orange zest?), morph into Sauvignon Blanc’s fresh squeezed lemon juice and salinity. Mouths water for hours as does the length.

Conclusions: Cape Mentelle’s 2014 Blanc is austere, vibrant, yet seductive: a fantastic nod to its Bordelaise heritage. For under $20 I dare you to find a bright, cooler winter white.