Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough took part in World Sauvignon Blanc day on Friday 4th May 2018. Many wineries in the region bringing our library versions of their most popular Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or new releases not ready to release just yet.  My tour for the day consisted of 4 travelers, 2 from Australia and 2 from Hamilton but a family consisting of 2 Sisters and their Husbands.

Mark, Helen, Sarah and Hamish enjoying tasting at St Clair Cellar Door

Villa Maria

Our first stop of the day was Villa Maria. They were taking part in the celebrations with a 2103 vintage Orange Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The colour comes from the skin contact. This wine was also Oak Barrel fermented and only 1200 bottles were made. Followed by two single vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, so highlighting the different Terroir in Marlborough. The Southern Clays from the South of the Wairau Valley and the Taylor River from The Awatere Valley.

Nautilus

Next stop was Nautilus Estate where they had 2 very different examples of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The Nautilus estate wine being a very good regional blend from many different vineyards in Marlborough. The Paper Nautilus is a small batch production, just from their Renwick vineyard and fermented in a 3000 litre Oak Couve. The oak softens the acidity and gives more weight to the wine allowing for a longer lasting taste on the palette.

St Clair

The 3rd stop of the day at St Clair allowed for a vertical tasting of the award winning Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The tasting therefore allowing guests to see the differences in each of the years. All had the distinctive Marlborough Sauvignon flavours but the older wines had less acidity.

Many St Clair vintages during a wine tour

Many Lawsons Dry Hills vintages and labels during a wine tour

Lawsons Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Last stop for the afternoon was Lawsons Dry Hills. They really embraced the whole day bringing out different library stocks of old vintages and labels of Marlborough Sauvignon. The oldest vintage was a 2001 estate. The rest from 2010 to the current 2017 vintage. The reserve label are generally from just 2 or 3 vineyards and have a little more oak barrel fermentation than their estate wines. Blind River wines are just Awatere valley fruit and finally the Tekau which is a fully Oak barrel fermented Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

To check out our tours and availability visit either our Blenheim wine tours page or our Private wine tour page. Enjoy your Marlborough wine tour or Blenheim Wine Tour.