Esk Valley, Marlborough

Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard sites in the Wairau Valley and more Southern Awatere Valley were selected for this wine. The Wairau vineyards are planted on the Southern Clay ‘s heavier soils providing structure and body to the blended wine. The Awatere Valley vineyards are planted on gravelly free draining soils and due to the cooler nature of these sites offer the wine, pungent notes of nettle, gooseberry, citrus and pea pod. The vineyards are all intensively managed with shoot and crop thinning to limit yield and maximize quality.

WINEMAKING

The individual individual vineyard parcels were harvested and transported to the winery for immediate crushing to capture the freshness of the fruit. Fermentation was conducted at cool temperatures utilizing selected yeast strains. Post fermentation the new wines were left on lees to gain richness and complexity.

WINEMAKER'S COMMENT

This is a very intense and powerful wine. True to its Marlborough origins its flavours are a mix of ripe tropical fruits, citrus and cooler notes of fresh herbs, tomato leaf and pea pod. It is dry and full bodied but a crisp finish provides freshness and length.

FOOD MATCH

This dry wine is a perfect match for most seafood and many Asian styled dishes.

IDEAL DRINKING

Drink upon release or for up to two years following vintage.