Description

Not one bound by convention, The Marlborist Grande Sauvignon is a bold departure from the classic Marlborough style. Fermented entirely with naturally occurring yeast in a mixture of old French oak barrels and puncheons, it is an alternative style of sauvignon blanc with an alluring array of grilled peach, candied pineapple and brioche with hints of elderflower and almond. This is a moreish wine with a rich, creamy palate underpinned by a long, citrus finish.

Fruit was sourced three exceptional sites within the Southern Valleys and Renwick. Largely grown on Loess clay soils and river terraces where young, alluvial soils overlay deep deposits of greywacke stone, the combination of free-draining soils and naturally low yields allowed the vines to ripen small, golden bunches of intensely flavoured fruit.

The grapes were transported directly to the winery where they were gently pressed and cold settled for three days. The juice was racked to a mixture of old French oak barrels and puncheons and left to spontaneously ferment by indigenous, 'wild' yeast, a process that took several months to complete.

Occasional lees stirring and partial malolactic fermentation occurred over a 15-month period of maturation in French oak before the blend was assembled and settled prior to bottling.

"The 2023 Grande Sauvignon leads with a nose rich in spices and inflections of toasty oak, white currant, juniper, quinine and cold tea. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and really fans out through the finish. Actually, the finish is where this wine comes together—like a concertina, with flavor and texture folded neatly and splayed outward, making for a big impact and plenty of enduring complexity. This is a really good wine here. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink to 2033."
94 points. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (December 2024)