Empirical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Description

Dry

A light straw colour, this rich and elegant Sauvignon Blanc showcases exuberant aromas of white currant, flinty characters, gentle oak and hints of green fruit. The flavours are rich and textural with a creamy edge. The bright fruit and oak mingles perfectly to create a well-rounded mouth-feel with a crisp and refreshing finish that lingers beautifully on the palate.

The 2016 vintage conditions were optimal, with both spring and summer predominantly sunny and dry in the region. The fruit we selected for this wine was based on our desire to produce a Sauvignon Blanc with intensity, richness and great acid structure, even after barrel ferment and aging. The grapes were hand harvested in the cool, early morning hours to preserve freshness and purity of flavours.

The grapes were gently whole bunch pressed as soon as the fruit came into the winery. Forty individual lots were barrel fermented using a combination of wild and inoculated yeast strains and a small portion underwent malolactic fermentation. We trialled oak barrels from different coopers and various toast levels to give us options to play with and when it came to blending we selected barrel lots that emphasized the fruit and vineyard characteristics best, whilst imparting a complementary rich, creamy texture to the wine.

Food Pairing: Pair this Sauvignon Blanc with an Arugula salad with goat cheese or a delicious appetiser of Crab Cake Sliders With Pineapple Kiwi Salsa.