2024 Clark Estate “Upper Awatere” Sauvignon Blanc

Silver Medal – 2024 Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition

Silver Medal – 2024 Australian and New Zealand Boutique Wine Awards

Bronze Medal – 2024 New World Wine Awards

Bronze Medal – 2024 New Zealand International Wine Show

Bronze Medal – 2024 Marlborough Wine Show

Bronze Medal – 2024 National Wine Awards of Aotearoa NZ

91 points            James Suckling

Fresh aromas of passion fruit, pineapple and green apples. The palate is light-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of grapefruit, gooseberries and orange blossoms. Nicely constructed. Drink now. Nov 2024

Viticulture

Our vines are managed through VSP trellising at a higher density than normal with 2666 plants per hectare.  Planted in 1998, these Sauvignon Blanc vines are now some of the oldest in Marlborough and the wines are now much more complex than they were when we first started.  The old gnarly vines have built up good carbohydrate reserves that aid in the ripening process and the roots have grown much deeper and are now finding older soils to source the nutrients the vines need.

Winemaking

Every year our Sauvignon Blanc is picked over several nights and each parcel is harvested for specific flavours to compliment the final blend.

These parcels are processed and fermented separately under cool conditions and left on yeast lees to mature.

Wine Analysis

pH        3.36

TA        7.1 g/L

Alc       13.5%

RS       2.9 g/L

The Upper Awatere is known for its rugged soils, unforgiving climate and stunning Sauvignon Blanc flavours.

Strong winds, scorching daytime temperatures, and cool clear nights contribute to the development of the amazing flavours found in Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Our single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is crafted by this terroir, creating wines that are pristine, refined and well balanced, with a strong sense of place.