Leveret Estate Reserve Barrel Aged Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Description

Dry

• Dry style
• French oak
• Guava & smoke
• Long finish

This wine shows aromas of rockmelon, orange, guava and nashi pineapple. The oak is subtly present on the nose as a hint of smokiness but is more apparent in the structure – on the palate it is fuller bodied than most Sauvignon Blancs. The wine finishes dry and has a good length with blackcurrant flavours.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc made in more of a Fumé Blanc style intended for longer term cellaring.

Two tropical cyclones affected Marlborough in 2017; the first hit the Wairau and lower Awatere and left the upper Awatere relatively unscathed; the majority of our fruit was harvested before the second cyclone arrived. Prior to these cyclone events, the growing season had been very dry and would have been perfect if it were not for the nights being warmer than normal. (Marlborough normally experiences warm days and cooler nights which slows the ripening process and enhances flavours.)

A portion of the juice was fermented in barrel and the remainder in stainless steel. Following fermentation both portions were transferred to barrel for approximately six months maturation. The wine was then racked out of barrel and transferred to out Katikati winery for finishing and bottling. Minimal fining was used and the wine was bottled on 31st January 2018.

Food Pairing: This wine would pair well with smoked seafood and particularly salmon.