Winemaker Notes
This 2021 Sauvignon Blanc offers an elegant, crisp and beautifully balanced
expression of Marlborough, capturing the quintessential nuances, layers and textures of the celebrated region. Classic aromas of ripe pink grapefruit, lime zest and tropical fruits are complemented by suggestions of lemongrass, green pepper and tomato leaf. The palate is crisp and vibrant, lifted by bright, generous citrus notes layered with white peach, guava and passion fruit. Hints of wet river stone, fresh green herbs and mouthwatering acidity add structure and support. Brilliantly concentrated and textured, subtle suggestions of sea spray add to the stylish, lingering finish.
A perfect pairing to creamy goat cheese, summer salads, fresh seafood or grilled herbed chicken.
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
An icon and leading region of New Zealand's distinctive style of Sauvignon blanc, Marlborough has a unique terroir, making it ideal for high quality grape production (of many varieties). Despite some common generalizations, which could be fairly justified given that Marlborough is responsible for 90% of New Zealand's Sauvignon blanc production, the wines from this region are actually anything but homogenous. At the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, the vineyards of Marlborough benefit from well-draining, stony soils, a dry, sunny climate and wide temperature fluctuations between day and night, a phenomenon that supports a perfect balance between berry ripeness and acidity.
The region’s king variety, Sauvignon blanc, is beloved for its pungent, aromatic character with notes of exotic tropical fruit, freshly cut grass and green bell pepper along with a refreshing streak of stony minerality. These wines are made in a wide range of styles, and winemakers take advantage of various clones, vineyard sites, fermentation styles, lees-stirring and aging regimens to differentiate their bottlings, one from one another.
Also produced successfully here are fruit-forward Pinot noirs (especially where soils are clay-rich), elegant Riesling, Pinot gris and Gewürztraminer.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.