2017 Murdoch Hill Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 750 ml

An Aussie Young Gun’s Stunning Sauv Blanc

This 93-point, well-under-$20 2017 Murdoch Hill Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills is a surefire case-buy bargain of the summer white wine season.

Raised in the Australian region that is synonymous with high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 Murdoch Hill is the kind of bright, mouthwatering Sauvignon Blanc that you crave when the temperature starts to climb. Fresh on the palate, it shows beautiful lemon sorbet, grapefruit pith, lemongrass, and herbs.

We can’t think of one warm-weather pastime that wouldn’t be improved immeasurably by a perspiring glass of this Aussie gem, which absolutely crushes the price-to-value ratio.

If you are a loyal Wine Access reader, you’ve read enough about Australia’s diverse regions—Margaret River, the Grampians, Coonawarra Valley, to name a few—to know that there is much more going on Down Under than inky, tooth-staining Shiraz. To Oz’s long list of over-delivering regions, add the Adelaide Hills, the cool-climate region whose limitless possibilities are attracting tons of talented young winemakers.

The Downer family, however, are far from new arrivals: They have farmed in the Adelaide Hills since 1939, and made wine there for the last two decades. Michael Downer, the youngest of the four Downer children, is now Murdoch Hill’s winemaker. He earned his degree in oenology at Adelaide University, and did stints in Australia’s Great Western region and in Barolo before bringing his talents back home in 2012.

Michael certainly didn’t waste any time making his impact felt: He was named as a finalist for the Riedel-sponsored Australia’s Young Gun of Wine award in 2014, ‘15, and ‘16, before finally taking home the prestigious prize in 2017.

Needless to say, Downer’s skill is evident in this outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, which shows gorgeous lemon sorbet, chervil, jasmine, and a wet-rock minerality that will prime your palate for another sip. And another. And another. Fortunately, this beauty is priced to sell by the case. Your summer self will be grateful.