To sample this was quite a history lesson, too. Wrights Vineyard White Port was made by Henry and Maureen Wright and it was on trend in the 80s. I'm reliably informed that no road trip to Margaret River was complete without stopping at the Wrights cellar door (now Juniper Estate) in Wilyabrup.
Originally made with Riesling grapes then Chardonnay, son Ian, now owner of Wrights Vineyard, has teamed up with winemaker Julian Langworthy to recreate history, and with the help of scientifically analysing an original bottle, the 2024 follows the comeback 2023.
Wrights Vineyard now sits in Cowaramup (roughly 15 away) with fruit grown from cuttings taken from the original site.
Sampled over ice and sampled neat, the pleasure factor and versatility are real. It opens with white fleshed nectarine skin, canned pineapple and dehydrated peach. A lithe creaminess crawls along in the background with figs and butterscotch. Gingerbread spices build steady momentum with some mid-palate warmth and richness to muse over. The acid is neatly poised leading to a long, moreish and most satisfying finish. A class act and a most enjoyable one at that, it can be enjoyed now but will develop more richness, concentration and nutty tones for a decade+.
Only 300 available.
93/100
Region: Margaret River
