2019 GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC
REGION: Marlborough, New Zealand
VARIETALS: Sauvignon Blanc
ANALYSIS: 13.5% alc/vol I TA: 6.8 g/L I pH: 3.19
VITICULTURE: Fruit was sourced from various prime vineyard sites in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, the central Wairau Plains and a spectacular river terrace site in the upper Awatere Valley. Soil types vary from the young alluvial soils of Rapaura, Renwick and the upper Awatere, which contain high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones, to the older and denser clay-loams of the Southern Valleys. The majority of the vineyards were trained using the Scott Henry canopy management system, with the balance on a two- or three-cane VSP (vertical shoot positioning) trellis.
WINEMAKING: The Sauvignon Blanc was harvested at night into half-ton bins. The grapes were lightly pressed and the resulting juice was cold-settled prior to fermentation in stainless steel, primarily using cultured yeast for cool, slow fermentation. A portion was allowed to undergo spontaneous indigenous yeast fermentation. All individual lots were left on lees and kept separate until final blending.
TASTING NOTES: Imagine yellow-fleshed peaches, rock melon and blackcurrant – a sponge cake with lemon icing, chamomile and hints of rose petal – this is a delicately perfumed and deliciously ripe-fruited interpretation of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is both subtle and textural, showing considerable ripeness and concentration, with a crisp and long, juicy finish.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM: 91 pts Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 91 pts Wine Enthusiast
ABOUT GREYWACKE: One of Marlborough’s pioneering winemakers, Kevin Judd’s career is intrinsically linked with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Established in 2009, Judd’s label Greywacke (pronounced “gray-wacky”) is the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Named after New Zealand’s prolific bedrock, Greywacke was originally adopted by Kevin and his wife Kimberley as the name for their first Marlborough vineyard in Rapaura, whose soils have an abundance of these river stones. Greywacke sources fruit from mature vineyards within Marlborough’s central Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys. Also an established professional photographer, Judd’s home in the Omaka Valley overlooking Marlborough’s picturesque vineyards provides inspiration for both his passions.
