Winemaker Notes
#11 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2024
In appearance, it's a pale yellow, straw color. On the nose there are ripe Sauvignon Blanc aromatics with notes of white stone fruit, passionfruit pulp and kaffir lime. The palate is lively with deep concentration and a salinic acidity.
This wine will pair well with aperitifs, seafood and poultry.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and precise, with lime, mango and passion fruit notes that are accented by crunchy sea salt, litsea oil, dried chamomile and fresh lemon zest on a mouthwatering, fleshy frame.
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Wine Enthusiast
Vibrant lime and tropical fruit are in the lead on this aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, with some subtle jalapeño pepper and herbal nuances tucked beneath. The palate offers lovely textural appeal that tempers the citrusy crunch of acidity. There’s nice fruit concentration to the long finish.
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James Suckling
Flowery with aniseed and licorice. Some subtle lemons. Medium to light body, dry, lovely fruit and a subtle and fine finish. Well done for the vintage.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crunchy, with sweet pea and green apple, jasmine tea, wisteria flower and crushed shells. It's a lovely wine with lots of reasons to recommend it. 12.5% alcohol.
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.