Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Very pale straw. A fresh and exuberant release from 2022 that talks to the vintage. Typical aromas of passionfruit pump intersected with kaffir lime leaf. The palate has the textural elements we have to come love of this vineyard, with succelence and sophistication. The finish in almost saline and leaves the drinker reaching for the second glass

Martinborough has two significant climatic influences. Firstly, wind. Particularly in spring and early summer, reducing vigour and crop on the vines. Secondly, warmth. While Martinborough is similar in degree days to Marlborough, the structure of this heat is quite different. The higher elevation, shelter and distance from the ocean means we are not affected by the sea breeze in summer. The effect is a cooler spring and later start to bud burst and a more continental environment. Two distinct terraces make up the vineyard, one comprising alvi-fulvic soils that are more than 20,000 years old and at higher altitudes. These rocks are full of complex minerals such as feldspars and argillite, slowly released into the surrounding soil. The subsoil layers also contain ancient weathered volcanic ash, which has reacted with the rocks and hastened their decomposition to a point where they can be easily broken. This produces exceptional Pinot Noir, which stylistically shows incredible complexity, a reserved intellectual feel, and great length. The second lower terrace comprises younger stony soils interlaced with limestone lumps, providing an excellent environment for Sauvignon Blanc. Here the vines are matched and planted to these variations, creating more than ten individual parcels within the vineyard.

Vintage Detail A warm spring with minimal frost events followed by a summer that started warm and transitioned into a moderate spring. Several rain events post Christmas.

Brix 21.1 average

Production Level 87 hl/ha average

Whole Bunch 10%

Destemmed 90%

Fermentation Vessel Stainless steel tanks, French oak cuves and French oak barriques

Fermentation Inoculated and indigenous

Maturation 3 months

Fining Yes

Filtration Yes

Bottled Jul – 22