Craggy Range Te Muna Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Grapes for the Craggy Range Te Muna Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc come from the Te Muna Road vineyard in the Wairarapa subregion of Martinborough, in the southeastern corner of New Zealand's North Island. The vineyard consists of two distinct terraces, the lower terrace comprises young stony soils interwoven with limestone, which provides an excellent environment for Sauvignon Blanc. The cooler climate of Martinborough ensures the wine is aromatic with steely minerality while the rocky soils impart intensity of fruit. The region’s warm, dry summers and mild winters lead to complex and structured wines with subtle aromatics and an elegant finish. Working towards a more organic approach, herbicides are being minimised, cover crops are being introduced and the vineyard team is moving towards a more organic-based spray programme. The grapes are all hand-harvested. At the winery, the Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc was vinified using 92% destemmed fruit, and 8% whole bunch fruit, which added complexity. Fermentation took place with inoculated yeasts in stainless steel tanks and French oak barriques, of which 10% were new. The wine was aged for three months in French oak barriques, of which 3% were new, imparting texture. The Craggy Range Te Muna Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of precision and purity, with aromas of fresh kaffir lime leaf and white floral notes. Sophisticated and moreish, it delivers abundant fruit flavours, a balanced texture and a crystalline finish.
