91 pts. - Chris Waters, The Globe & Mail

93 pts. - Vic Harradine, Wine Current

94 pts. - Wine Orbit

 

VINTAGE CONDITIONS: The 2020 Vintage in the Awatere Valley was warm and relatively dry during the latter half of the growing season. Heat summation was closer to the long term average while rainfall was just slightly above for the whole of the season. Good viticultural practices meant that disease pressure was greatly reduce, allowing all fruit to be picked in pristine condition. The return to classic weather patterns of cool nights, coupled with warm days enhanced fruit flavours, creating wines of great balance and flavour.

 

WINEMAKING: The fruit was harvested at maximum flavour as assessed through frequent tasting in the vineyard by the winemaker. Extended skin contact time was used prior to crushing to enhance extraction of the aromatic compounds. The fruit was then very gently pressed to avoid harsh phenolic extraction and the juice allowed to cold settle. A balanced amount of residual sugar was left in the wine to complement the acidity and to add palate weight and structure.

 

WINEMAKER: Evan Ward

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

WINE ANALYSIS

Alc Vol: 13.8%

Acidity (TA): 7.0 g/l

pH: 3.21

Residual Sugar: 3.7 g/l

 

COLOUR: A delicate, pale green/gold

 

NOSE: Strongly aromatic with an intense nose showcasing classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of tropical fruits, gooseberry and dried herbs. The recogniZable fresh, flinty green characters and minerality of Awatere fruit underpin a tropical and citrus spectrum.

 

PALATE: A full flavoured wine rich in tropical fruit and herbal notes that reflect the attributes of the upper Awatere Valley vineyard. The mouthfeel and palate weight have been enhanced by maintaining a restrained acidity coupled with a perfectly balanced amount of residual sugar. The wine has immediate appeal and is marked by a flavour intensity that creates great length in the palate.

 

PEAK DRINKING: 2020/22 - will continue to develop for a further five years.

 

SOLD-OUT