Blog

7Bilgeler Khilon Fumé Blanc

 

---

Last year, 7Bilgeler Khilon Fumé Blanc joined the ranks of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc in Turkey. Sauvignon Blanc enjoys huge popularity in Turkey. It grows across Thrace, the Marmara, and all over the Aegean. Flavor profiles range from rich with ripe stone fruit to lean and racy.

Oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc took a little longer to take off than the grape itself. Early versions showed a heavy hand with oak and were clumsy and just not very good. But things have vastly improved and now I’m no longer afraid when I see “fumé” on a label.

I previously reviewed 7Bilgeler’s Khilon (the not fumé version) and now it’s time to talk oak.

7Bilgeler Khilon Fumé Blanc, 2020

7Bilgeler has one of the best locations if you’re playing tourist. It sits a mere seven kilometers from Ephesus in southern-ish Izmir. Vineyards surround the very charming winery and hotel, but those vineyards don’t produce all the winery’s grapes. 7Bilgeler, like many wineries, sources grapes from eastern Izmir sub-region: Denizli. Its Sauvignon Blanc comes from 840 meters above sea level on the Güney Plateau in predominately limestone and loamy-clayey soils.

Delicate lemon shot through with green and platinum highlights in the glass. Ripe melon and grapefruit curd in the nose highlighted by clover and flint.

A tightrope walk of lean balance! And dry, dry, dry. Joining the melon on the palate were overripe peach and a Lick-A-Maid pink lemon tanginess given depth by raw Macadamia nuts. Medium-bodied with a deceptively high alcohol at 14%.

So yes, I drank this in the summer and am just getting around to it now. Been busy, sue me. But because I drank it in the summer, I paired it with a lovely summer salad full of ripe peaches and salmon roasted with a chipotle peach compote. Definitely a winner!