Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2018
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Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon and 4% Sauvignon Gris, all barrel-fermented in 30% new French oak immersion-bent barrels. It doesn't have any charred, nutty character as a result, but it does show a grainy nuance layered over ripe fig and melon notes. It's medium to full-bodied and richly textured, with fabulous grapefruit-infused length on the finish. It's just a lovely Graves-like wine that should drink well for at least 5 years.
Other Vintages
2020-
Wine
Enthusiast - Vinous
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James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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James
Suckling
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 eclectic region on the east coast of the North Island, Hawkes Bay extends from wide, fertile, coastal plains, inland, to the coast range, whose peaks reach as high as 5,300 feet. While the flatter areas were historically more popular because they are easier to cultivate, their alluvial soils can be too fertile for vines. In the late 20th century, the drive for quality led growers to the hills where soils are free-draining, limestone-rich and more suited to producing high quality wines.
Over the passing of time, the old Ngaruroro River laid down deep, gravelly beds, which were subsequently exposed after a huge flood in the 1860’s. In the 1980s growers identified this stretch, which continues for approximately 800 ha, and named it the Gimblett Gravels. The zone has proven to be ideal for the production of excellent red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
Today the area takes well-earned recognition for its Bordeaux blends and other reds. Expressive of intense stewed red and black berry with gentle herbaceous characters, Gimblett Gravels wines are suggestive of their cool climate origin, and on par with other top-notch Bordeaux blends around the globe.
Chardonnay is the top white grape in Hawkes Bay, making elegant wines, strong in stone fruit character. Sauvignon blanc comes in close behind, notable for its tropical, fruit forward qualities.