Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Description

Dry, Grapefruit, Passionfruit

"The first sip of this sauv, shows why growing grapes and making wine is flowing through the veins of the talented Rose sons. The nose is resplendent with nectarine, lychee and passionfruit with just a hint of red capsicum peeking through. The palate is concentrated and intensely fruity with a juicy mouthwatering midpalate that keeps you coming back for more. The citrus sweetness present is perfectly balanced by the fresh crisp acidity. Well-weighted, this top sauvignon blanc is lovely, luscious and long" Cuisine Magazine, Dec 2025

"Intensely aromatic and inviting, the bouquet shows passionfruit, feijoa, Gala apple, and kaffir lime characters with a hint of musky complexity. The palate is equally satisfying, displaying excellent weight and lively mouthfeel. Wonderfully composed and expressed with a long, delicious finish. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2025

Intense lifted notes of ripe tropical fruits and citrus on the nose. Refined and elegant, displaying a finely textured palate with flavours of guava and stone fruit. Wonderfully expressive with a fresh, dry finish. 

A dry winter was followed by periods of cooler unsettled weather during flowering and fruit set, which resulted in reduced numbers of berries per bunch. This combined with a return to the classic dry windy weather Marlborough is renowned for led to a significant reduction in yield from the long-term average. The ripening period was characterised by long hot days and cool nights which were crucial to retaining vibrant acidity in such a dry year. Without any significant rainfall events throughout the growing season the viticulture and winemaking teams were afforded the luxury of perfect ripening conditions for the production high quality fruit without any weather or disease concerns. Targeted irrigation management ensured the vines maintained a healthy canopy throughout, with overall vine health unparalleled, resulting in wines of intense concentration, balance, and tension. Picking commenced earlier than in previous vintages at the beginning of March, with the fine settled weather continuing through to the end of harvest in mid-April, allowing a more relaxed picking schedule and extended hang-time for later ripening varieties. Certainly, one of the most outstanding vintages we have ever experienced. 

Sourced from our family vineyards across the Marlborough region, these grapes were harvested in the cool hours of the morning, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. After blending, the wine was left to settle on light lees before bottling on the Wairau River Estate.