Winemaker Notes
In its youth the wine is moderate straw in colour with green tints. Aromas are reserved and quite exotic with hints of lime, peach, honeysuckle, passionfruit and gooseberry. Even in this cool year there is not a hint of greenness. Flavours are exuberant as is often the case with young vines. Ripe flavours of sweet gala apples, lime and rich tropical fruits predominate in a lush textured style with a long dry grainy finish. The presence of this grainy texture is particularly encouraging as this is not often found in young vines. The wine will drink superbly when young , some 12 to 18 months after vintage.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Part of the Wairarapa region in the southern end of the country’s North Island, Martinborough is a bucolic appellation full of artisan, lifestyle wine producers. Above all else, their goals are to tend vineyards for low yields and create wines of supreme quality. Pinot noir is the main grape variety here, occupying over half of the land under vine.
Comparing topography, climate and soils, the region is nearly identical to Marlborough except that it produces top quality reds on the regular.