150 Church Road,
Taradale,
Hawke's Bay
New Zealand
Ph: +64 6 844 2053
Fax: +64 6 844 3378
info@churchroad.co.nz
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©2006
Over recent years, the Church Road winemaking team have continued to develop a style of increased complexity across our wines. An almost French influence is emerging which places greater emphasis on complexity and texture rather than relying simply on fruit and oak for their appeal.
This distinctive Sauvignon Blanc is from grapes sourced from an exciting new sub region of Hawke's Bay - Matapiro Vineyards which are further inland and higher in elevation. The grapes from here marry the ripe tropical flavours and softer acids typical of Hawke's Bay, with vibrant herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc characters that are evocative of Marlborough. This complex wine is more refined and has more texture than a typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
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Release date: October 2006
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: 100% Hawke's Bay
This wine is a complex style of Sauvignon Blanc.
Colour: Light yellow/green.
Aromas: Lifted passion fruit aromas, ripe melon and mineral characters are finely integrated with subtle mealy complexities from the portion of the wine barrel fermented in older French barriques.
Palate: A fuller bodied style of Sauvignon Blanc with good mid palate weight, relatively low acidity and a long textural finish. The flavours on the palate echo the aromatics, complex, ripe and lingering.
Drink now for fresh and vibrant wine, or cellar for up to four years to develop pungency and complex mealiness.
The fruit was harvested in good condition at optimal ripeness.
Brix at harvest: 22-24°
Winemaker: Wendy Potts
Only free-run juice was used in this wine resulting in a soft and delicate structure. Much of the juice was quite cloudy before fermentation. This gives more texture and complexity in the resultant wine.
The individual components were allowed to remain on their yeast lees for several months after fermentation, to impart subtle savoury flavours, increase palate texture and add complexity. Approximately 20% of this wine was fermented in older French barriques, adding another dimension to this Sauvignon Blanc.
Alcohol: 13.5% by volume
pH: 3.27
Total acidity: 6.5g/L as tartaric
1997-2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006*
* currently available vintage(s)
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