Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard notes:

The grapes are sourced from estate vineyards in Marlborough, two in the lower Awatere valley, and one at the base of the Waihopai valley.

The soil type is predominately aged alluvial loams containing some clay over stone. Dependent on vigour, the vines were pruned to two, three or four canes and trained in a normal vertical shoot position. Ideal flowering conditions, followed by a warm dry summer, meant the grapes were picked in perfect condition. As the vine vigour determines the crop load, the yield was an average of 3 tonnes per acre. Harvest occurred in the first week of April.

Vinification:

All of our estate fruit is batch produced in small amounts, vineyard variability determines the size of the batch. Machine harvested in the cool Marlborough mornings, the batches are fermented separately till dry. Then post fermentation the best batches are selected for the Loveblock blend.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Water white with a hint of green and gold.
Aroma: Lifted aromatics with white peach, passionfruit and citrus notes.
Palate: Explosive palate with white peach, underscored with tropical fruits and linear acidity.

Serve at: 45-50°F (7-10°C)

Cellar: 5 to 7 years

Analysis:

Alcohol 12.4%
pH 3.20
TA 6.7 g/l
Residual sugar 5.8 g/l

Food Match:

Sashimi, oysters, soft shell crab, lemongrass based dishes and new season asparagus.

Winemaker: Kim Crawford

Tasted: November 2014

Region Description

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.