Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Fuder is German for a large wooden vessel, used in this case for the fermentation and aging of wine. Hints of struck-match complexity mark the nose, giving way to notes of grilled nectarine. The wine is full and rich in the mouth, with a mouthwatering finish that marries stone fruit and pink grapefruit into a stunning finale.
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James Suckling
A complex, waxy and textural take on the theme, lime and lemon fruits, hints of tropicals, honeysuckle and stony elements, the palate is supple, smooth and even, more lemon and tropicals here, pineapple to close. Drink now, really open.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
All of the Giesen "The Fuder" wines are made in large, 1,000-liter German oak fuders and come from single vineyards. The oak stands out a bit on the 2013 The Fuder Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc, opening with cedar notes over a peach and citrus fruit core, plus passion fruit and some bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated with rich, savory flavors, lively acidity and a good long finish.
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.
An icon and leading region of New Zealand's distinctive style of Sauvignon blanc, Marlborough has a unique terroir, making it ideal for high quality grape production (of many varieties). Despite some common generalizations, which could be fairly justified given that Marlborough is responsible for 90% of New Zealand's Sauvignon blanc production, the wines from this region are actually anything but homogenous. At the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, the vineyards of Marlborough benefit from well-draining, stony soils, a dry, sunny climate and wide temperature fluctuations between day and night, a phenomenon that supports a perfect balance between berry ripeness and acidity.
The region’s king variety, Sauvignon blanc, is beloved for its pungent, aromatic character with notes of exotic tropical fruit, freshly cut grass and green bell pepper along with a refreshing streak of stony minerality. These wines are made in a wide range of styles, and winemakers take advantage of various clones, vineyard sites, fermentation styles, lees-stirring and aging regimens to differentiate their bottlings, one from one another.
Also produced successfully here are fruit-forward Pinot noirs (especially where soils are clay-rich), elegant Riesling, Pinot gris and Gewürztraminer.