This wine is made from sauvignon blanc grown on the stony alluvial soils of the old river bed in the Wairau valley. Stonewall, because the large stones were raked and lifted off to form a vineyard boundary many moons ago
I deduce that the harvest was taken very late in this vintage. This wine has a more mellow acidity and mouth feel, which carries the deeper flavour very well. The predominant taste is Mango, followed by pink grapefruit, then a little apricot and the typical citrus envelope that is also very ripe. I shall have to see if pith and any herbal and mineral notes come up when refrigerated overnight. 13% alc so same as Vavasour and Old Renwick.
This will be too ripe, and a little soft at 14C for many fans of MSB, yet I like it because it has great length, is more integrated than usual, and has a good nose. Chill down for more cut to the palate.
It is the pick of the discounted dozen NZ SB offers from Laithwaite, but it will not suit everyone.
I would imagine it to be be excellent with lemon and dover sole, crab, monk fish, scollops with sweet salad and sweet pepper vegetable side dishes with ripe and soft Brie style cheeses.
I'm giving it a £ good when bought with some discount, and if one could buy a few bottles at a time for £9.99, still rather nice and very refreshing as a straight apperatif. Flavour lingers for ages.
Yeah - very glad I have a few of these.
_________________ Duncan
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