Winemaker: Janice McDonald
Sauvignon & Semillon grapes from the wider Margaret River region. 12.5%
Stella Bella Wines are a small, privately owned wine company, located in the Margaret River region of Western Australia – they are a producer who love exotic names, producing wines called Stella Bella, Suckfizzle and Skuttlebutt! They explain the origins of the name of this wine as; This antiquated, nautical term for the source of drinking water on sea going vessels has the derived meaning of slang, gossip, chitta chatta, rumour, etc. The site of such life-sustaining liquid on board was also the bed from which the grapevine of social gossip did sprout.
The two grapes used are the same ones used to make many of the Bordeaux white wines, but where the French version aims for a more medium bodied wine, here the objective is to achieve a much lighter wine, full of the zest of citrus - and this has been achieved in spades. This wine is bursting with fresh, juicy ripe melon and white peach flesh
Written in Menu Magazine Issue 2 2007
Georgina Goss of Paddy Maguires: The Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Semillon truly enhanced the flavour of the delicous prawns and garlic sauce
Tania De Freitas of Ginos Café: Whether its the antipasto plate, Penne Alla Vodka, Cotoletta Parmigana or whatever, it seemed we could always go back to the Skuttlebutt SBS as it was very refreshing and versatile.
Written by James Halliday Wine Companion 2007 edition
87/100 Pale straw-green; a delicate, fresh and gently aromatic bouquet; a fresh and light palate with a touch of passion fruit. What is there is lovely.
British Airways In-flight Magazine April 2005
JANCIS ROBINSON recommends Skuttlebutt White 2004 as a refreshing white to drink now...the Margaret River region has developed its own white wine style, a refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the two white wine grapes of Bordeaux. But while Bordeaux has tended to make these grapes into sweet or rather heavy, oaked whites, the Margaret River way is to deliver a truly spring-like wine with all the piercing aroma of a well-grown Sauvignon Blanc backed up by the weight of Semillon on the mid palate. This wine is made by Janice McDonald who also produces the excellent Stella Bella and Suckfizzle labels.
Ray Jordans Guide to Wine 2004/5
A fruity and quite delicious wine with lots of up front full flavoured fruit. The creamy richness of chardonnay is evident along with the solid structural core of semillon. It's a nice combination that works well.
Food Match: Food Match: Great on its own as an aperitif or enjoy with shell fish or summer salads.