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Single Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc

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

Our Single Vineyard wines are made from grapes grown at Auntsfield Estate. Each wine shows the distinctive characteristics of ripeness, texture and minerality – qualities unique to the ancient Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils of the vineyard.

Sauvignon Blanc – Auntsfield Estate aims to produce a distinctive style of Sauvignon Blanc. The style is aimed towards texture, complexity and length, balancing the typical Marlborough fruit spectrum and aromatics with richness and mouth feel.

TASTING NOTE:

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA:  Lifted and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime.  Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, papaya and jalapeno add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.5% |  pH: 3.21    |  TA: 7.5

WINEMAKERS NOTES:

Picked during cool evenings, fermentation at low temperatures with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. After fermentation, the wine underwent an extended period of lees contact, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURIST NOTES:

The 2023 season was amazing! If you could reproduce the weather conditions of this season every year you would. Regular winter rainfall and a cool spring encouraged canopy growth but kept cropping levels at a balanced level.  Summer had regular rainfall but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

TASTING NOTE

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA:  Lifted and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime.  Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, jalapeno and blackcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.0% |  pH: 3.15    |  TA: 7.6

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Picked during cool evenings, fermentation at low temperatures with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. After fermentation, the wine underwent an extended period of lees contact, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURLIST NOTES:

The 2022 season was another amazing vintage for Sauvignon Blanc quality. A Wet spring growing period rewarded vineyards like Auntsfield with lower vigour meticulous canopy management. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

TASTING NOTE:

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA:  Lifted and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime.  Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, jalapeno and blackcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 13.0% |  pH: 3.04    |  TA: 7.3

 

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Picked during cool evenings, fermentation at low temperatures with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. After fermentation, the wine underwent an extended period of lees contact, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

 

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2021 season was another amazing vintage for Sauvignon Blanc quality. Regular winter rainfall and an unseasonably cold spring kept cropping levels very low. These cropping levels were some of the lowest ever seen in Marlborough. Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA: Intense and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, and ripe citrus. Notes of dried herbs, mandarin peel and fresh floral notes give intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit and white peach, and tropical fruits with fresh citrus and citrus peel. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13.0% | pH: 3.22 | TA: 7.3

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Cool fermentation with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. This was balanced by a portion of the fruit subjected to traditional winemaking practices; handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining
the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2020 season was amazing! If you could reproduce the weather conditions of this season every year you would. Regular winter rainfall and a cool spring encouraged canopy growth but keep cropping levels low. Summer was very dry but stayed relatively cool resulting in healthy vines with no disease or water stress. There was a slow progression into Autumn with a long drawn out ripening period where the fruit reached optimum ripeness in perfect harvest conditions.

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA: Intense and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe melon and lime. Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, mandarin and blackcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13% | pH 3.0 | TA 6.6

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Cool fermentation with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. This was balanced by a portion of the fruit subjected to traditional
winemaking practices; handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining
the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2019 season was characterised by hot and dry weather. Regular winter rainfall and a warm spring got the vines off to a great start. Summer followed a pattern of hot days and cool nights with lots of sunshine, perfect for vibrant and pure fruit characters. The natural vineyard yields were very low. Vineyard work focused around opening canopies and manipulating leaf to shade the fruit from the hot midday sun. This allowed the fruit to ripen slowly to optimum ripeness in early Autumn.

 

COLOUR: Pale straw

AROMA: Intense and pure aromas of fresh passion fruit, ripe melon and lime. Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, mandarin and blackcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13.0% | pH 3.15 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Cool fermentation with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. This was balanced by a portion of the fruit subjected to traditional
winemaking practices; handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining
the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES:

The 2018 season was characterised by regular rainfall at key growth stages. A very dry and warm early summer was followed by wetter more challenging conditions with vineyard work
focused around reducing yields and keeping the canopies open and dry. This allowed the fruit to ripen in the cooler conditions of early autumn to optimum ripeness. A season that rewarded
vigilance, open canopies and fruit that ripened before the Autumn rains.

COLOUR: Pale straw green

AROMA: Lifted and pure aromas of passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime leaf. Notes of fresh and dried herbs, gooseberry and redcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13.0% | pH 3.14 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKER NOTES

Cool fermentation with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. This was balanced by a portion of the fruit subjected to traditional winemaking practices; handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES

The 2017 season was characterised by a cold spring and cool growing season, resulting in low natural cropping levels. A long Autumn produced excellent conditions, allowing the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time providing clean fruit that looked exceptionally bright and vibrant. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and an earlier ripening period before any late Autumn rain.

COLOUR: Pale straw green

AROMA: Lifted and pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime. Notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, jalapeno and blackcurrant add pungency and intensity to the aromatics.

PALATE: Powerful, tight and elegant. This wine displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach, with citrus notes of lime and mandarin pith. The palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure to shape a wine with lively tension and textural balance.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 13.0% | pH 3.15 | TA 7.4

WINEMAKER NOTES

Cool fermentation with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. This was balanced by a portion of the fruit subjected to traditional winemaking practices; handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES

The 2016 season was characterised by naturally high yields resulting from rainfall at key growth stages. A very dry summer followed with vineyard work focused around reduced yields by hand to optimal levels. This allowed the fruit to ripen over an extended period of time in the cool and settled conditions of early autumn. A season that rewarded vigilance, lower cropping levels and delayed ripening in the vineyard.

REVIEWS:

  • Superbly ripe and intensely aromatic, the wine shows passionfruit, kiwifruit, feijoa and kaffir lime characters, followed by a concentrated palate delivering terrific fruit purity and persistency. Wonderfully textured and mouthfilling with a lengthy structured finish. At its best: now to 2028. (2021 Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc)

    95 Points. WINE ORBIT, October 2021

  • A magnificent expression of the variety; the intensely aromatic bouquet shows green rockmelon, passionfruit, feijoa and kaffir lime characters. The palate displays outstanding concentration and persistency, together with textural mouthfeel and lively acidity, finishing impressively long and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2025. (2020 Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc)

    95 Points. WINE ORBIT, September 2020

  • 1 of 82 wines selected for the exclusive Fine Wines of New Zealand List, compiled by leading wine experts to showcase New Zealand wines that go above and beyond in displaying consistent quality and distinction. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018).

    Finalist, FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND. 2019

  • Seductive and alluring bouquet of SB with softer fruit spice layers woven between suggestions of lemon and sweet grapefruit, apple, mineral and fresh lychee. Crisp, dry, packed with flavour and texture. Notable acidity well balanced against the ripeness of fruit and gentle fruit spice moments. Lengthy and quite complex finish. Drink now through 2022. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018).

    93 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS. February, 2019

  • Bright, tangy sauvignon blanc with gooseberry, lime, grapefruit, pineapple and a suggestion of passionfruit flavours. A punchy, assertive and flavoursome wine. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018) 

     

    91 Points. BOB CAMPBELL. October, 2018

  • Estate-grown on the south side of the Wairau Valley, on a site where the region’s first wines were made in the 1870s, this youthful wine was mostly handled in tanks; 5% was fermented in old French oak casks. Mouthfilling (13% alc/vol) and dry, with excellent weight and depth of ripely herbaceous, grapefruit/lime flavours, it’s a powerful, finely poised wine with a long finish. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018)

    Five Stars. MICHAEL COOPER. November, 2018.

  • Very pale straw colour.  The nose is soft with ripe, passionfruity aromas and gentle density.  This has lovely harmony.  Medium-bodied, the ripe passionfruit flavours are softly presented, and the palate is composed of fine phenolic textures with bright acidity.  The integration, balance and togetherness is gorgeous.  Luc Cowley reported that 2018 wasn’t an easy vintage, but lessons learnt from 2017 were invaluable. (2018 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc).

     

    18.5/20. RAYMOND CHAN, August 2018

  • 1 of 67 wines selected for the exclusive Fine Wines of New Zealand List, compiled by leading wine experts to showcase New Zealand wines that go above and beyond in displaying consistent quality and distinction. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017).

    Finalist, FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND. 2018

  • A weighty wine with quite intense red capsicum, gooseberry and nectarine flavours. It’s also showing impressive purity and length. Drinking Window 2017 – 2024. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    98 Points, BOB CAMPBELL for DECANTER MAGAZINE. August Edition, 2017

  • Beautifully poised and extravagant, with Sauvignon personality; grass, gooseberry and elderflower, crunchy acid and good length. Yum! Drinking Window 2017 – 2024. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    98 Points, MELANIE BROWN for DECANTER MAGAZINE. August Edition, 2017

  • Classic mix of fresh and dried herbs fine citrus and tropical passionfruit and peach hints. Balanced and fresh, lively and lengthy, a nice wine overall. Drinking Window 2017 – 2024. (Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016).

    98 Points, CAMERON DOULGAS for DECANTER MAGAZINE. August Edition, 2017

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