Every year at this time, keen anticipation surrounds the release of the new season’s sauvignon blancs, recently bottled and packed with tropical fruit and herbaceous aromas and flavours. From grapes picked in March and April, the wines, full of youthful zest, start trickling onto the market in June, building to a torrent during spring.
This year, predictions of notably intense wines were common in Marlborough, where almost 90% of the country’s sauvignon blanc vines are clustered. The region enjoyed a “very, very good” vintage, reported Simon Waghorn, of Astrolabe Wines. Total rainfall over the growing season was slightly below the long-term average. Waghorn’s enthusiasm reflected the long, slow ripening season, healthy vines and immaculate fruit at the harvest.
Villa Maria reported an “exceptional vintage for Marlborough sauvignon blanc. The grapes were in immaculate condition, with thick skins and crunchy acidity.” Greywacke also enthused about its sauvignon blanc, “which came in clean, with great flavours”.
Ahi Ka Blackmore Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Ahi Ka is a partnership between specialist grapegrowers and the owners of Blank Canvas. Offering impressive quality and value, this intensely varietal,
