TWR Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Marlborough New Zealand 750ml

Vintage 2023 TWR Sauvignon Blanc shows distinctive Awatere characters of guava, white currant, and elderflower coupled with lovely ripe passionfruit & tropical notes and hints of basil and lime from the Wairau fruit. These follow through to the palate – which is fine and soft with loads of fleshy fruit balanced by a ripe, juicy acidity and lingering minerality. There is real fruit weight here and that is complimented by lovely texture from the time on lees and the barrel parcels – it is utterly delicious!

A perfect partner for goat cheese, fish, shellfish, and asparagus.

Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years.

Located in the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand's South Island, Te Whare Ra is a small family-run business, established in 2003 by winemakers Anna and Jason Flowerday. The vineyard covers 11 hectares and is home to some of the oldest vines in the region, planted in 1979.

The vineyards are certified organic with vines planted in Renwick in the Wairau Valley and a blend of the vineyards from the cooler Awatere Valley area. Yields are low and the wine is aged for 9 months in old oak barrels to ensure neutrality from the wood and to add texture; a broader mouthfeel. The result is a style of Sauvignon Blanc that is more reminiscent of the French wines of the Loire Valley, rather than the tropical and exuberant New Zealand Sauvignons.

95 Points – Shanteh Wale, Wine Companion
80/20% Awatere/Wairau Valley fruit; 10% goes into oak for ferment. Blackberry leaf, Thai basil and yellow guava. Blueberry flesh, fennel and chalk. The palate is weighted with ripe passionfruit, nectarine and honeysuckle. This is ripe and rich. It’s densely packed and acidity trots in line, enabling a long, slippery finish. A hint of celery salt and raw cashew on the finish with a smattering of lacey skin texture. Lots of value here, for the price tag, and a memorable wine

93 Points Top Value Top Rank Stephen Wong MW 
Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been through a few ups and downs over the years, but sometimes the stars align. Here, we have a very good sauvignon Blanc vintage for the region, excellent grape quality from conscientious farming drawing from different sub regions, a highly talented winemaker who knows how to craft a classic district blend with flourish and a remarkably good-valued price tag. Interesting nose combining some ripe savoury tomato aromas with blackcurrant in the background. Quite distinctive with bay leaf and cranberry. Bright and fruity, a lovely long line of acidity on the palate with a sustained, evolving finish which flits between mineral, ripe red fruit and wild strawberry stalks. Very interesting, carefully made, and with a clearly good fruit which is an elevated version of Sauvignon. Light, crisp, dry and interesting. More of this please!

94 Points – Toronto Star Carolyn Hammond
This is a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the seasoned connoisseur who demands subtlety and finesse — as well as the casual drinker looking for pure pleasure. With equal parts dignity and deliciousness, this wine starts with classic scents of basil and bell pepper, grapefruit and Granny Smith. Then, it slides in tasting glossy and cool as crushed stone, grapefruit pith, mango and tarragon emerge, and then move to elderflower, salted lime zest, green olive, goji and tangerine. Each note tastes chiselled and articulate while plunging acidity anchors the fruit. Magnetic.

94 Points – Cameron Douglas MS 
A delicious expression of SB with a just satin touch on the palate before the acidity, fresh herbs and core fruits flavours kick-in. Grapefruit and crisp apple, fresh basil and sage, a refreshing wet-stone mineral seam all accentuated by the acid line and mouthfeel overall. There’s a tangerine quality to the fruit spectrum showcasing vineyard and perhaps a signature of the TWR style. Delicious, fresh, salivating and dry. A wine best enjoyed from 2024 through 2029.

92 Points – James Suckling
Aromas tropical punch, lime cordial and faint white flowers followed by tarragon and green bell peppers. Medium-bodied with brisk acidity. Expressive and aromatic yet balanced. From organically grown grapes.

94 Points – Bob Campbell MW 
Rich, weighty sauvignon with gooseberry, passionfruit, lime zest, and lemon curd flavours. Intense, bright wine with impressive purity and power.

90 Points – Rebecca Gibb MW Vinous 
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is friendly, fresh, and fruity. It welcomes you with its sweet tropical fruit – guava and mango – alongside subtle note of green herbs and silvery hints of elderflower that speak of the Awatere Valley (80% of the fruit is sourced from there) Juicy and round with curved edges and textural interest, potentially down to a portion of old-barrel ferment, this is a classic yet cleverly composed Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Drinking window: 2024 – 2027