About the Wine
We all know that wine, like anything, is subject to the whims of fashion and trends. It happened to Chardonnay. It happened to Riesling. What we are seeing now is a surge of winemakers aiming to redefine Sauvignon Blanc, though may reclaim is the better word. Trait is one of them.
This wine, for example, is a great marriage between New and Old World styles, with an emphasis on the balance of texture and flavour. The wine saw ferment in barrel, before resting for an additional seven months in neutral oak. So while you still have herbaceous and tropical flavours, you also have weight, grip and complexity. Fresh herbs come through, with some passion fruit and a gentle creaminess too, but it's the soft acid drive and gentle structure which make this truly stunning.
About Trait
It may be pronounced Traits, but it's spelt Truyts. Theo Truyts is a Lesothian ex-pat, who worked with several South African wineries before coming to Margaret River. Clare Trythall is a British ex-pat who works as an emergency doctor. Her attention to detail definitely keeps Theo on the straight and narrow, making her the best 'behind-the-scenes' manager a winemaker could have.
The couple met in 2013 and, six years later, Theo was offered management of a site he had worked with during his early years in Australia. The vineyard was deemed 'un-machineable' and was in danger of being left to the elements. Ever decreasing yields? Too costly to run? Challenge accepted.
The pair spent 2019 revitalising the vineyard between their day jobs and new child. The site can only be tended to by hand, but the fruit is immaculate. The resulting wines can only be seen as testaments to their dedication, care and passion.

Margaret River, WA