2022 Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

VITICULTURE

Harvest Date: 14th March – 5th April 2022

Grape Growing: We are proud to source the fruit for this wine exclusively from Marlborough. A mix of company-owned or managed vineyards, and contract grower vineyards, are pruned to between two and four canes on a vertical shoot positioned trellis. Shoot thinning, leaf plucking and trimming are used to achieve balanced vines, a healthy canopy and clean fruit.

Climate: The 2022 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity, following an unusually wet winter which had seen flooding in parts of the region. Pleasingly, the region did not suffer any major frost events and despite conditions in November being a little wet, the warmth that went with it meant that flowering was not drawn out and resulted in good fruit set and the prospect of healthy yields. The remainder of the season was punctuated by cooler weather and rainfall events and we were vigilant around disease pressure as we entered the harvest period. Harvest was later this year and Brix accumulation was slow. We experienced another rain event in the final third of March, following which we thought it best to harvest as quickly as possible in order to retain pure fruit expression. This is where Whitehaven’s new receival building came to the fore, allowing greater throughput while maintaining the quality focus and attention to detail that Whitehaven prides itself on.

VINIFICATION

Winemaking: The fruit was machine harvested, often overnight, and pressed immediately with minimal skin contact.  After cold settling, the clear juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 16°C – 12°C with selected yeast strains to preserve pure sub regional characters and varietal flavours.  Wines sat on light yeast lees in tank for up to 6 weeks prior to blending in June 22. The wine has been heat and cold stabilised, and sterile filtered, prior to bottling.

ACCOLADES

• Wine Spectator, 90 Points.
• 2022 Selected for the inaugural Appellation Marlborough Wine Annual Collection 2022.
• Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2023, Gold
• "Pungent and new, varietal with a bouquet of fresh herbs and tropical fruits, apple and lemon with nettles and fruit spice. Taut, fresh, saline and fruity with flavours of citrus and apple-passionfruit, fresh and dried herbs, nettles and peach. High acid line will settle over the next 12 months with best drinking from mid 2023 through 2027." 93/100 Points, Excellent, Cameron Douglas, MS, NZ

• "Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is softly full, with vibrant aromas of gooseberry, lime, green capsicum and lime blossom. Medium-light bodied, aromas of gooseberry and lime melded with lime peels, blossom, green capsicum and a hint of white spice. The wine is bright and vibrant, supported by thirst-quenching acidity; subtle white spice lingers on the finish, adding interest. This is a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shows varietal and a soft palate. Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, 18+/20 pts (91 pts) Oct 2022 

• Wonderfully fruited and fresh on the nose showing Granny Smith apple, nettle, lime zest and white floral aromas, it's intensely flavoursome on the palate offering excellent fruit purity and persistency, making it delicious and highly enjoyable. Sam kim, NZ, 94/100 pts, 5 stars.
• Watch Chief Winemaker Peter Jackson chat to Carolyn Evans-Hammond about this wine: The Wine Find Talks - Episode 112 - YouTube