We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
The focus with this wine is to provide a drink that has texture and depth, rather than focussing solely on primary fruit notes. We want a wine that satisfies across the palate and employ a number of techniques to achieve this. Our Sauvignon this year comes from six different vineyards, all of them giving particular attributes to the final wine.
The hand-picked fruit was whole-cluster pressed so that the time on skins was minimised. A portion of this juice, 11% this year, was barrel-fermented in older French oak to give greater weight, though ensuring that wood is not evident on the nose. The balance of the wine was fermented cool to retain the fruit characters from our vineyards. The native ferment portion, 39%, also adds levels of flavour and texture, giving a savoury note that balances some sweeter fruit. The wine was left on lees for nine months, giving greater depth of subtleties while retaining balance and complexity.
The final blend was made solely from free-run juice, as we feel it gives a more elegant and subtle wine, a key for us.
Type | White Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Marlborough |
Brand | Mahi |
Vintage | 2022 |
Wines of Marlborough
Marlborough is at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island and is the leading region in the country, being responsible for 75% of NZ’s wine production and 85% of its exports. Marlborough is internationally renowned for its distinctive style of Sauvignon Blanc, described by some wine writers such as Oz Clarke and George Taber as the best in the world. Australia being such a close neighbour, we get a great number of brands imported into the country.
Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough is grown on well-draining alluvial gravels, with large temperature fluctuations between day and night. These conditions are great for growing grapes that strike a perfect balance between ripeness and acidity. The result is sauvignon blanc that is aromatic, driven by tropical fruit flavours but also supported by an herbaceous and mineral character. Aussies often described Marlborough Savvy Blanc as full of passionfruit flavour.
Despite many consumers having an idea of what Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is, the wine is actually made in a wide range of different styles. Wine makers take advantage of different clones, fermentation styles, lees-stirring and aging regimens to give their wines nuance and differentiate their brand from one another. You may have had sauvignon blanc from Marlborough before, but it is always worth exploring some not so commercial brands if it is a style you enjoy.
Other varieties that are produced in the region include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.