Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
At four years old, the richly fruited and firm 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Marama remains fresh, yet is starting to shake off its youthful enthusiasm. It still retains a floral element that's commonly found in wild-fermented wines. The extended aging in barrel has rounded the edges. It remains a powerful, structured Sauvignon Blanc with long length and the purpose of Robin Hood's arrow. It still has another five years in it, but its ripe apple flavors and almond-croissant-like characters can be enjoyed now with soft cheeses and seafood. Considering the challenges of the 2018 vintage, this is a surprisingly successful wine.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made in a ripe, tropical style, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc features barely any of the variety's hallmark herbal notes. It's fairly rich and weighty, with flavors of passion fruit and nectarine underscored by a bright, citrusy 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.
Rolling hills evolve from a scenic coastline to form an ideal setting for Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay rank in after New Zealand’s prized varietal as most widely planted in Nelson. The region is slightly cooler and has more precipitation on average compared to Marlborough.