2024 Kōparepare Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING

Climate: Unlike the previous two years, the growing season leading into the 2024 vintage began after a dry winter, with the soil water balance in deficit. Fewer inflorescences generally and then a protracted flowering window in November and December resulted in poor fruit set and fewer berries per bunch than the average in most areas. Dry conditions persisted for the duration of the growing season, minimising disease threats and resulting in clean fruit at harvest. A spell of warm weather through late December and January, in combination with the lighter crop, resulted in a rapid physiological advancement against the long-term average. This trend continued until the start of harvest in early March, ahead of earlier predictions in late 2023. Fortuitously, the headwaters of the Wairau and Awatere river systems received enough rain to keep irrigation schemes open through the season and into harvest, at which point a return to cool, crisp days became the norm. Fruit was harvested at more elevated sugar levels than the previous two seasons.

Grape Growing: We are proud to source the fruit for this wine exclusively from Marlborough and are certified with Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW). The fruit for this wine was sourced predominantly from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, with the balance from the Southern Valleys.

Harvest Dates: 20th and 24th of March, 2024.

Winemaking: The fruit was machine harvested and pressed immediately with minimal skin contact. After settling, the clear juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 16°C – 12°C with selected yeast strains to preserve pure sub-regional characteristics and varietal flavours. Wines sat on light yeast lees in tank for up to 6 weeks prior to blending in June 24. The wine has been heat and cold stabilised, and sterile filtered, prior to bottling.

ACCOLADES

• "It's fresh and brightly expressed on the nose, showing green apple, passionfruit, feijoa, and jasmine aromas, leading to a wonderfully flavoursome palate offering juicy fruit intensity with crisp acidity, finishing long and refreshing. At its best: now to 2027" 93/100 points (5 stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
• "Guava, lime, lemon peel, and white grapefruit shine, lifted by citrus blossom and fresh herbs over a stony mineral base. Subtle ripe fruit sweetness adds depth, with a medium body and crisp yet soft (for sauvy!) acidity. Vibrant, approachable, and effortlessly drinkable, with great concentration - an easygoing, feel-good Sauvignon at a brilliant price" 92/100 points (4.5 stars) - The Wine Writer
  
• "Made by Whitehaven in support of LegaSea, the 2024 vintage (****) is full of varietal character. Aromatic and punchy, it has good intensity of vibrant passionfruit and green capsicum flavours, with an appetisingly crisp and dry (2.4 gram/litre of residual sugar), finely balanced finish. Best drinking mid-2025+." 4 stars - Michael Cooper.
• "Bright, even, pale yellow with a slight green hue. The nose is softly full, with aromas of apple, salted lime, fresh herb and elderflower. Medium-bodied, aromas of apple, stonefruit, lime and saline melded with elderflower. The fruit is ripe with lush aromas and a floral touch. A touch of sweetness rounds the palate and provides weight, along with lively acidity, and lends a refreshing closing. Match with steamed mussels and fried fish over the next 2-3 years." 4 stars - Candice Chow (Raymond Chan Wine Reviews)