TASTING NOTES Aromas of ripe passionfruit and citrus blossom interplay with hints of lime and herbal notes on the nose. A concentrated palate evokes the flesh of juicy sweet tropical fruit with a counterpoint of subtle acidity and a fine minerality on the finish.
Technical Information
WINEMAKING NOTES Grapes were machine harvested into individual 1,500L bins and tipped directly into the press, to reduce oxidation and to preserve flavours and aromas. Gentle pressing ensured the juice was extracted with minimal astringent harshness. A brief cold settling and racking preceded inoculation with yeast strains selected to preserve the primary fruit aromas. The finished wine was bottled by gravity.
pH 3.14 T.A 7.35 R.S 5.0 Alc 13.9
VITICULTURE The vines were carefully managed through pruning, trimming and leaf plucking to ensure open healthy leaf canopies were maintained and that the crop level per vine was in balance with its ability to yield premium quality fruit. This resulted in yield per hectare of 7.3 T to 12 T depending on the age of the vines in the block.
Awards & Reviews
Peter Saunders, Best of the Best 2008, F&B Hint of sweaty with some generous gooseberries and fresh asparagus, a keen and eager Nelson sauvignon with refreshment on its mind. A fine aperitif and also well suited to light food courses.
Neil Hodgson, Nelson Mail, 14 Oct 08 Layers of fresh clean flavour evolve in your mouth ranging from fresh gooseberry in the front palate, hints of lime in the mid palate and finishing with elegant but crisp passionfruit in the very long finish. This is a beauty.
Vinoté Cellar Notes, Glenda Neil, 19 Oct 08 With so much Sauvignon Blanc grown over the hill in Marlborough this Nelson wine proves that there’s plenty of room for a more subtle style. Ripe tropical fruit aroma, crisp lemony flavours and gently herbaceous notes on the finish, not aggressive and good food match.
David Stewart, TrueWines, Oct 08 A remarkably well measured wine, dry, with super mouth feel, colour from an abundance of tropicals, and a long mineral note through the tail. Aromas of passionfruit, pineapple and citrus zest herald an expressive, tropical wine, with a hint of white peach for good measure. A very nicely rounded wine, with an abundance of tropical flavours kept neatly in check by covert acidity and never allowed to dominate. The longish tail is marked with an appealingly cool minerality, and the wine overall is highly enjoyable on its own.
Bob Campbell, Oct 08 Gently aromatic wine with melon, nectarine and citrus flavours. Moderately intense, dry wine with character. Offers value at this price.
Winestate, March/April 09 Mouthfilling and smooth, with ripe, tropical-fruit flavours and crisp, lively acidity. Balanced for easy drinking. Recommended.
Food & Wine
Shellfish (scallops, mussels), white fish (snapper, blue cod, terakihi, trevally), smoked fish, asparagus, dim sum, sushi, sashimi.
