Premium fruit from Wilyabrup is the perfect
foundation for our superb Cabernet Sauvignon
About Us
Although Fuddling Cup Cabernet Sauvignon began in 2000 as grafted rootlings in the tuart sandy loam of the Geographe region, today it is the gravelly loam over clay sub-soils of the Wilyabrup region of Margaret River which provides premium fruit as the perfect foundation for our superb Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes deliver a Cabernet Sauvignon that exhibits deep crimson hues, power and balance in the primary fruit, knitted seamlessly to the rich overlay of toasty oak and silken tannins.
In 2009 we introduced our ‘sister white’ Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, a classic Margaret River blend. Subtle complexity has been added by fermenting a little of the Sauvignon Blanc component in French oak hogsheads.
Our promise is to deliver consistent wines that are a delicious and fruit driven expression of our selected grape varieties, the Margaret River region, finest French Oak and best winemaking practices.
The Wine
Fuddling Cup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Bright in the glass with pale straw and a hint of green, the wine has a punchy bouquet with stonefruit and gooseberry against the light citrus background and supported by the hint of spicy oak. There is a wonderful bright mix of stonefruit and tropical flavours and the barrel fermented component has been carefully judged to add complexity without detracting from the freshness.
Tasting Notes: 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Legacy Vintage Notes: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
Fuddling Cup Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Bright garnet colour in the glass which opens to lovely lifted aromas of mulberry, cassis and dark plum supported by spicy French oak. The first taste shows a pure expression of Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon as medium bodied with bright berry flavours integrating with fine grained and plush tannins giving a pleasing and long palate.
Tasting Notes: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Legacy Vintage Notes: 2015 | 2014
The Cups
Fuddling Cup
(fŭd’-ling kŭp)
A fiendish multi compartment drinking vessel designed to befuddle the drinker. From Elizabethan times through to the mid 18th Century, those new to the table might be challenged to drink from the cups without spilling. It seems impossible to drink from one cup without spilling the contents of the others. There is of course a way to do this and after having a laugh at the newcomers expense, the secret would be shared, thus strengthening the bond between the diners.
Fuddling cups consists of a series of linked vessels, normally three but can be as many as six and joined together with handles interlacing each other and internally connected up by small holes. Those challenged to drain the filled cups without spilling would not know of the internal connections. A drinker must drain the lot if he empties one compartment and not ‘fuddle’ the job resulting in inevitable liquid adornment!
The cups provided amusement as well as a social function with the shared secret over something quite so frivolous building trust and friendship in difficult times. Sir Francis Drake and Frobisher toyed with fuddling cups prior to dealing with the Spanish Armada, and Sir Walter Raleigh possessed some to entertain his many guests. There has been conjecture about Lord Blackadder’s fondness for such fiendish devices but for the moment this remains unresolved.
The secret to drinking from a full fuddling cup is to stand up and suck in the liquor slowly by the lips from a single neck whilst the cup remain stationary on the table in a horizontal position.