2017 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc

Fruit from Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, the central Wairau Plains (Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura) and a river terrace site in the upper Awatere Valley. Soil types vary from the young alluvial soils of Rapaura, Renwick and the upper Awatere, which contain high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones, to the older and denser clay-loams of the Southern Valleys. Harvested largely by machine during cool (often cold) night-time conditions, lightly pressed. The resulting juice was cold-settled prior to fermentation in stainless steel, primarily using cultured yeast for cool, slow fermentation. A portion was allowed to undergo spontaneous indigenous yeast fermentation using slightly warmer temperature regimes. All individual vineyard batches were left on lees and kept separate until late July, when the blend was assembled. The wine was bottled in mid August. TA 7.5 g/l. Interesting aroma that seems almost a little salty but still has the fresh green-fruits and herbal aromas of Marlborough Sauvignon. On the palate there are riper flavours of melon, even gooseberry (which I rarely seem to find on Marlborough Sauvignon these days) and lovely freshness. There's a very slight grip in the texture but no unwanted phenolics. Tastes dry but leaves my mouth feeling as if there might be a touch of residual sugar? (JH)

Kevin Judd's 2017 Sauvignon Blanc features just-right touches of greenness, suggesting snow pea pods and cut grass. Those notes complement white grapefruit and tart pineapple flavors. This seems a bit lightweight and lean in style for Greywacke, but it's still expressive, clean and correct, with a refreshing finish.

Kevin Judd's 2017 Sauvignon Blanc features just-right touches of greenness, suggesting snow pea pods and cut grass. Those notes complement white grapefruit and tart pineapple flavors. This seems a bit lightweight and lean in style for Greywacke, but it's still expressive, clean and correct, with a refreshing finish. Feb 2018, www.robertparker.com