From the winemaker…
A delightful fusion of ripe summer fruit and delicate floral perfume – Golden Queen peaches and poached yellow pears; baked apples, mango and rock melon; mingled with apple blossom fragrance and a twist of lemon sherbet. Succulent and crisp, with a delicate fennel-like herbal quality and a dry, textural palate. Quintessentially Marlborough, but a deliciously subtle, ripe interpretation of the classic style
Fruit was sourced from various prime vineyard sites in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys and the central Wairau Plains (specifically Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura). Soil types vary from the young alluvial soils of Rapaura and Renwick, which contain high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones, to the older and denser clay-loams of the Southern Valleys. The majority of the vineyards were trained using the divided Scott Henry canopy management system, with the balance on a two- or three-cane VSP (vertical shoot positioning) trellis.
Harvested largely by machine during cool (often cold) night-time conditions, the sauvignon blanc grapes were trucked to our winery in the Omaka Valley, where they were lightly pressed to yield a modest volume of high-quality juice. The juice was then cold-settled and racked prior to fermentation, primarily using cultured yeast in stainless steel for cool, slow fermentation. A portion of the juice was allowed to undergo spontaneous indigenous yeast fermentation in old oak barrels. All individual vineyard batches were left on lees and kept separate until late July, when the blend was assembled. The wine was bottled in mid-August with alcohol 13.5%, pH 3.14 and acidity 6.8 g/l.
A very fresh, lime and grapefruit nose with a gently herbal thread, as well as green passion-fruit notes. The palate has a captivating fusion of fresh acidity and rich, fleshy fruit flavours. Zesty and intense.’ 94 Points, Nick Stock, JAMESSUCKLING.COM
‘This is a youthful yet mellifluous expression of Sauvignon Blanc with a line of tension that gives it length and purpose. Citrus, elderflower and grassy notes infuse the svelte midpalate. The finish is crisp, clean and full of adolescent vigor.’ 91 Points, Rebecca Gibb MW, VINOUS.COM
