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Single Block
‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc

Auntsfield continues the proud heritage of Marlborough’s first vineyard and winery established in 1873.

Our Single Block wines display qualities distinctive to grapes grown within a defined area at Auntsfield Estate. Consistent quality and character over many vintages has separated these Single Blocks out as producing our Reserve Wines.

South Oaks Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc – This small 2 hectare block is situated at the very southern elevated corner of the vineyard next to some old Oak trees. It has a unique free draining soil made up of crushed Greywacke rock that has fallen from the steep hill behind.

TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Bright straw
AROMA: Sweet and fragrant with rock melon, nectarine and mandarin peel. Lifted notes of dry herbs, lime leaf, supplemented by complex aromas of nougat and toasted almond.
PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh,
supported with a dense fruit weight and underlying chalky minerality providing
linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and balanced.
ANALYSIS: Alc. 14 % | pH 3.14 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKERS NOTES
The fruit is hand-picked, hand sorted then whole bunch pressed. A proportion of juice is fermented on skins. Fermentation begins naturally (without inoculation) the juice is fermented in French oak vessels. After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURALISTS NOTES
Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result, the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine.
At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix.
One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

COLOUR:  Bright straw

AROMA: Ripe tropical fruit core featuring mango, juicy nectarine and lemon peel. Lifted notes of dry herbs, lime leaf, and gooseberry, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb and toasted almond.

PALATE:  This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh,
supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing
linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13 %  |  pH 3.21   |  TA 7.4

The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak).
After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result, the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine.
At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

COLOUR: Bright Straw

AROMA: Ripe tropical fruit core featuring mango, juicy nectarine, and lemon peel. Lifted notes of dry herbs, lime leaf, and gooseberry, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb and toasted almond.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13% | pH 3.21 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak). After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block are very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result, the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine. At harvest, the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

 

COLOUR: Bright Straw

AROMA: Ripe tropical fruit core featuring mango, juicy nectarine, and lemon peel. Lifted notes of dry herbs, lime leaf, and gooseberry, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb and toasted almond.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14% | pH 3.04 | TA 7.2

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak). After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block are very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result, the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine. At harvest, the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

 

COLOUR: Bright straw

AROMA:  Ripe tropical fruit core featuring mango, juicy nectarine and citrus elements. Lifted notes of dry herbs, lime leaf, and gooseberry supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb, vanilla bean and roasted hazelnut.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14% | pH 3.02 | TA 7.0

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak). After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5 kg per vine. At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

 

COLOUR: Bright straw

AROMA: Ripe tropical fruit core with mango, ripe passionfruit and citrus. Lifted notes of dry herbs and lime leaf, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb, vanilla bean and roasted hazelnut.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14% | pH 3.11 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak). After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5 kg per vine. At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

 

COLOUR: Bright straw

AROMA:  Ripe tropical fruit core with mango, passionfruit, lychee and citrus. Lifted notes of dry herbs and lime leaf, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb and roasted hazelnut.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14% | pH 3.21 | TA 6.3

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak). After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content. As a result the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid, shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine. At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

COLOUR: Bright straw

AROMA: Ripe tropical fruit core with mango, ripe passionfruit and citrus. Lifted notes of dry herbs and lime leaf, supplemented by complex aromas of honeycomb, vanilla bean and roasted hazelnut.

PALATE: This wine displays tension and great length. The palate is tight and fresh, supported with a rich and creamy structure and underlying chalky minerality providing linear structure. The mouthfeel is intense and yet seamless and well balanced.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.5% | pH 3.16 | TA 7.1

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit is hand-picked into small baskets. At the winery it is hand sorted then gently whole bunch pressed, and the juice fermented in French oak barriques (20% new oak).
After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels on yeast lees for 10 months.

VITICULTURIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the high Greywacke rock content.As a result the vines are treated differently to normal Sauvignon Blanc with only 2 canes laid,shoot thinned to 16 shoots, hand leaf plucked with a high 80% exposure. Very small berried and open bunches are typical in this block, with an average cropping level of 2.5kg per vine. At harvest the berries take on a blush appearance as it is ripened to around 24-25 Brix. One of the secrets to this block is that it holds its acidity level at high brix / ripeness levels.

REVIEWS:

  • Elegantly complex and enticing, the wine shows white flesh nectarine, green rockmelon, feijoa and oatmeal characters with a hint of nougat. It’s immensely concentrated on the palate displaying outstanding depth and weight, wonderfully complemented by textured mouthfeel and bright acidity. Impeccably composed and seductively stylish. At its best: now to 2030. www.auntsfield.co.nz. Nov 2021. Wine Orbit 96 points.

  • Immensely focused and brilliantly styled, the wine shows grapefruit, lemon sorbet, wet limestone, dried herb and lime zest aromas on the nose with a hint of oatmeal complexity. It’s superbly weighted and concentrated on the palate, delivering linear mouthfeel together with racy acidity, finishing impressively firm and structured. At its best: 2022 to 2029. (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2019).

    96 Points WINE ORBIT, September 2020

  • Complex and seductive bouquet of Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of crushed rock and mineral, floral notes and fresh ripe citrus and tree fruit with a slightly softer layer of herbaceousness then barrel ferment notes-spice and nuttiness. The nuttiness and flavour of barrel shows more distinctiveness on the palate with vanilla and oak. Peach and citrus peel notes with some herb and sweet nutty oak to follow. Crisp, dry, weighty and complex with a lengthy finish. Drink now through 2022. (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    95 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS. February, 2019

  • Barrel fermentation takes this in a smooth direction, filling out the fresh limes and green mangoes with a textural build to the finish. A smoothly integrated, refreshing and sophisticated sauvignon. (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    93 Points. JAMES SUCKLING. October, 2018

  • Quite a fresh, weighty sauvignon blanc that achieves a nice balance between varietal flavours of gooseberry, passionfruit, guava and capsicum and subtle spicy oak character. Good purity, length and an appealing texture. (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    93 Points. BOB CAMPBELL. October, 2018

  • Full, even, light straw-yellow colour with green tints. The nose is full with good depth and presence of ripe green stonefruits along with dark herbs and gooseberries melded harmoniously with a subtle layering of creamy, nutty oak, hints of toast and complexing oxidative suggestions, forming a concentrated, rounded core. Dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has good depth and richness with a heart of complex interwoven flavours of ripe, green stonefruits with gooseberries and herbs, complexing nutty oak and oxidative hints. The flavours show with good presence, forming a solid heart, with fresh, lacy acidity lending energy and cut. The wine flows harmoniously to an elegant, lingering finish. This is a complex, oak-influenced Sauvignon Blanc with green stonefruits, gooseberries, herbs and nutty flavours, on a palate with good weight and complexing detail. Match with herb-marinated poultry and pork dishes over the next 3+ years. Hand-picked fruit from a 2 ha elevated corner block next to some old oak trees, WBP and fully barrel-fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 20% new French oak. (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    18.5/20. RAYMOND CHAN, Oct 2018

  • “Complex and inviting bouquet with a mix of barrel fermented scents and ripe orchard fruits. A voluptous and rounded texture to the nose with barrel spices, cashew, brazil nut and some barrel white smoke. On the palate – dry, highly textured and packed flavours of Marlborough, a salty minerality and SB fruits. Abundant acidity and lengthy complex finish. Drink now and through 2026.” (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2015)

    96 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS, June 2018

  • An impressively composed barrel-fermented style, the complex bouquet shows ripe citrus, white nectarine, lime zest and cedar characters with subtle oatmeal complexity. The palate is concentrated and powerful, and delivers excellent mid palate weight and fine texture, superbly structured by bright acidity. The wine is gloriously expressed and finishes with sustained zesty flavours. At its best: now to 2022.  (‘South Oaks’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2015).

    95 Points. WINE ORBIT, March 2017.

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