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.
ww92
World Wine – How to describe this Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough's Catalina Sounds? Herbaceous! Pineapple sage and cut herbs spill from the glass with gooseberry and green capsicum. There is a whisper of passionfruit with green melon skipping through late. Well made and well balanced, it's clean and crisp with refreshment bursting at the seams. Drink now. qwinereviews.com, 15 August, 2021
hh93
Huon Hooke – Gentle, moderately soft sauvignon blanc with passionfruit, lemongrass, red capsicum, guava, ginger and citrus flavours. There was 30% fermented in large French oak casks to build texture and complexity. The wine certainly has good weight and a silken texture. (Bob Campbell, The Real Review, 7 July, 2021)
About This Wine
PALATE
Juicy minerality, softly balanced texture and a beautiful finish to tie it all together.
VINIFICATION
62% of the blend (both A and E blocks) are fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks to retain aromatics and varietal purity. 30%, from D block is fermented very warm in a large 5700 L French Oak cask, with indigenous yeast that adds complexity and interest to the wine. A small 8% portion is declassified from the barrel ferment programme and added for enhanced texture. The wines rested on lees for almost 10 months before blending and bottling prior to harvest in March 2021.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2019/2020 season will be one to remember for many reasons. Spring started out with mixed weather – cool temperatures, strong north-west winds, rain and a healthy dose of sunshine which became settled warm weather through flowering in December, ensuring a modest fruit set. Late January into February was hotter than average and very dry, then eased into classic Marlborough warm days and cool nights. Those warm days and cool nights help to express the unique fruit profile of Marlborough with fresh, juicy acidity to match.
| Type | White Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Brand | Catalina Sounds |
| Vintage | 2021 |
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.
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