2014 Chaffey Brothers DÜFTE PUNKT

Dufte Punkt is not a reference to the group Daft Punk and its soulless, manufactured robot music but is translated as The Aromatic Point. And it delivers on that front with loads of character and some.

Avant garde and unique in Australia, the wine is a 43/29/28 blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Weisser Herold aka Kerner. What interests me - just as the Aranel component did in the Aja White Blend - is the Kerner, a 1929 German white variety that is a Riesling-Trollinger hybrid. It was bred by one August Herold in honour of one Justinus Kerner whose claim to fame among other achievements were songs and poetry about wine. I wonder what he would have thought of the Dufte Punkt ? Or Daft Punk for that matter !

From a single northern Eden Valley vineyard composed of limestone quartz gravel soils, the Chaffey Bros Wine Co. has manufactured a classic field blend with the Kerner coming from one of only two vineyards growing the variety in Australia. The other is located at Robinvale Organic Wines in north-west Victoria for those keen on fun facts.

This is a wine light straw yellow, almost watery in colour.

Lime, grapey, musk and mineral quartz aromas. Some green apple action too. Very perfumed with big aromas.

Palate is light, medium sweet grapey fruit upfront and secondary flavours of Turkish delight and lycees. Zippy acid throughout with a spicy, dry finish.

What I found very interesting is that besides being such a well-balanced blend, this is a wine where it is possible to appreciate its individual varietal components. The Riesling's mineral and citrus elements, the Gewürztraminer's spicy florals and the Kerner's texture and body.

A funky yet refined drop. Like it.

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 11.7%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $20.00. Rating: 90 Points.