Winemaker Notes
Pale lemon in color, this Sauvignon Blanc speaks of the complex soils found at our Te Muna vineyard. The elegant aromas of white peach, lemon, blossoms, fresh-cut herbs, and passionfruit follow through to the palate, which is met with crisp acidity. The wine is harmonized by the stoney minerality, subtle salinity, and chalky texture that the old river stones of our vineyards provide.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This white delivers a stunning, intense and energetic mix of flavors, show casing ripe peach, Meyer lemon,Key lime and fresh Honeycrisp apple notes that are accentedby details of litsea oil, toasted green tea and Himalayan seasalt on the finish. A touch oflemon balm lingers.
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James Suckling
Citrus-driven aromas with undertones of white pepper, jalapeno, lime leaf, crushed stones and flint. The palate is light-bodied, with a bright line of acidity and a tightly wound mouthfeel, finishing with a mineral edge. Nicely constructed, with a good core of fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2024 Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc leads with a lean, complex nose that is layered with preserved citrus, paw paw, stewed apple and white pineapple. The wine has excellent texture on the palate; the phenolic grip here presents an extra dimension of interest and chew, further cementing the appreciation of the wine. This is very good, classy. 13% 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.