PL Award 1: Gold - SWA 2017 Country: Australia  Region: Western Australia  Vintage: 2015   Category: White Wine  Color:  White Producer: L.A.S. Vino "L.A.S. Vino is the creation of Nic Peterkin, son of Mike Peterkin of Pierro winery and Shelley Cullen, Vanya Cullen's sister. Nic did a Masters in Oenology and, after vintages in the Napa Valley, Mexico, Portugal and Mendoza, started his own label. L.A.S. refers to the Luck of the weather, the Art of creating and the Science that underpins this creativity. The result is a small quantity of high quality, hand-made wines. The packaging is as impressive as the wine: bottled in dark French glass, closed under Vinolok and sealed with wax, it is finished with the striking, hand-drawn labels. The wines fulfil Nic's stated aim: to make interesting wines with minimum intervention but within the bounds of science. The Chardonnay is from a 16 year old vineyard in the Wilyabrup valley that is organically cultivated and is yet another wine that illustrates just how exciting this variety currently is in Australia The CBDB (Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend) is a blend of 85% Chenin Blanc, 8% Viognier and 7% Sauvignon Blanc. It is vibrant and lifted with a lovely texture, good depth and real interest on the palate that finishes long. Inspired by his vintage in Portugal, the Portuguese Pirate Blend is a blend of Souzão, Tinta Cão and Touriga Nacional. It has a rich perfume of dried fruits and great depth of flavour, while remaining fresh with crisp acidity and crunchy texture." Winemaker: Nicholas Peterkin Vineyards: The grapes were grown in a small 16-year-old vineyard in the heart of the Willyabrup valley. Willyabrup is surrounded by open water on three sides and the vineyards are swept by cool sea breezes blowing in from the Indian and Southern Oceans, retaining the aromatic perfumes of the grapes. The gravel subsoil ensures good drainage, while the high clay content enables good water retention throughout the summer for vine development. The vines are trained using vertical shoot positioning. Although not certified, the vines are grown using organic methods. Vinification: "The fruit once hand picked was cooled to maximise aroma and finesse. The grapes were then hand sorted to ensure only the highest qualityfruit was let through to the press. They were then lightly cold pressed in whole bunches, very gently over a few hours. The juice was fermented in French barriques (15% new) and left to mature for a further 10 months. During this time it underwent a full secondary malolactic fermentation and was gently stirred every fortnight to create complex layers of texture. The wine was bottled into French glass unfiltered to maximise flavour." Tasting Notes: The wine is pale straw in colour. Subtle, elegant and delicate on the nose with butterscotch, vanilla, apple and stone fruit aromas, along with a touch of flint. In the mouth, the wine is light and delicate with citrus and apple flavours, a mild creaminess and a long, smooth finish. Food Suggestion: Serve with grilled octopus or pan-fried spatchcock poussin with garlic and rosemary. Closure: Vinolok  ABV:13.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 6.4