Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2022
Country
New Zealand
Region
Marlborough
Producer
Wairau River Wines
Grape(s)
Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Type
White
Style
Aromatic
Oaked Style
Unoaked
Body Style
Medium bodied
Dry/Sweet Style
Dry
Alcohol Content
13%
Closure Style
Screw cap
Organic/Biodynamic
No
Sustainable
Yes-certified sustainable
Vegetarian/Vegan
Vegetarian
No
Vegan
No
Allergens
Sulphites
Yes
Milk
No
Egg
No
Region
Marlborough is by far New Zealand’s largest grape growing region with more than two-thirds of all plantings. First planted in 1873 it is known in the region by the Maori name, Kei puta te Wairau meaning ‘the place with the hole in the cloud’ due to its very high 2,410 sunshine hours a year. High sunshine and a dry growing season help to create the famous intense flavours. Generally, plantings are in two main valleys of Wairau and Awatere. Much of the land is alluvial river basin with well-drained soils that provide an ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and clay slopes better suited Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Producer
Wairau River wines take their name from the river that runs through the heart of the Marlborough wine region. (Wairau is Maori for `many waters`). The Rose family were pioneers in planting vines in the 1970`s and after originally selling the grapes to other wineries (like Cloudy Bay) they launched their own label in the early 1990`s. Today their foresight has created a very successful company which remains family owned and run. Wairau River is one of the largest independent wine estates in Marlborough, and the range of elegant wines is characteristically expressive of its Marlborough roots.
Tasting Notes
Intense lifted notes of ripe tropical fruits and citrus on the nose. Refined and elegant, displaying a finely textured palate with flavours of guava and stone fruit. Wonderfully expressive with a fresh, dry finish. Expressive on the palate, finishing with great length. This fashionable white wine is a benchmark by which New World Sauvignons are judged. Cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks help preserve the intense fruit flavours.
Food
A good accompaniment to chowder, also suited to light dishes such as white meat or white fish and oysters, or cucumber dill salad, fried zucchini, asparagus risotto and Greek pasta salad.
Media
Wine Spectator 90 points. Sam Kim 95 points and International Wine Show 2021 Gold Medal.
