Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Distinctly Marlborough, this Sauvignon Blanc exudes vibrant ripe citrus notes, crunchy greens & hints of tropical guava on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant with superb natural fruit weight providing a juicy core of layered fruit, entwined with a salty textural acidity, vibrant citrus pith and a moreish dry chalky finish - Another remarkable Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc.

Winemaking Notes

Our vineyards were harvested at optimum flavor ripeness. The fruit from each vineyard was kept separate throughout the wine making process to ensure integrity of each site and to provide the greatest possible number of blending combinations. The fruit was gently pressed, cold settled, racked and cool fermented with selected yeast strains to enhance the unique aromatics and flavors. After fermentation the wines remained on light yeast lees to enhance palate feel and structure. The wines were then racked, blended, filtered, and bottled to retain & capture the remarkable freshness of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Production Stats

Alc /Vol: 13%
Brix @ Harvest: 21
pH: 3.1
Total Acidity: 6.54 g/l
Residual Sugar: 3.5 g/l

Frost alarms sounded throughout the spring months in Marlborough during the lead up to the 2016 vintage. Early November proved to be a particularly challenging time for the region with hard frosts occurring when vine shoots had just escaped their buds. Fortunately Wither Hills no damage was sustained and the crop were left to ripen unhindered. This cold snap in early spring eventually gave way to warmer temperatures which persisted for the duration of the season. Favorable conditions during flowering led to a successful fruit set with tightly packed bunches full of berries. A large rainfall event in the New Year gave vines a much needed drink and some reprieve from the drought conditions that had plagued the district over the previous 18 months. Rain during this period encouraged juicy berries that enjoyed warm months between January and April. The warm conditions that continued during the fall months meant there was little pressure during picking and that the grapes were ripe for picking when it came to harvest. With 2016 being one of the warmest seasons on record, the bountiful crops were given ample time to reach optimum maturity.

89 Points

Wine Spectator
"Pear and citrus flavors are juicy and bright, with terrific intensity and aromatic accents of peach blossom lingering on the finish. Drink now."
-MW (2016 Vintage)

90 Points

Planet Grape
"Lively, racy, ripe and briney with notes of lemon zest, peach, pear, guava, starfruit, parsley, pea and sea spray."
- Catherine Fallis (2016 Vintage)

90 Points

WineReviewOnline
"I like this wine for delivering the expected gooseberry and grass but in a subdued way, letting other elements speak as well -- lime and tropical fruit in particular. It's refreshing, flavorful yet light, with a bright citrus kiss on the end. A fine soloist or seafood pairing."
- Rich Cook (2015 Vintage)

92 Points

WineReviewOnline
"This is an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc in that it has the tart, crisp elements one expects from New Zealand, but here the acidity is subtly tempered by what seems to be a cushion of softness. It is this very duality that makes Whither Hills’ Sauvignon Blanc both fascinating and succulent. With its clean, briny finish it’s a great match for oysters, and I would bet sushi and sashimi as well (I had it recently with ceviche, which was a dynamite combo). It also has enough depth of flavor and texture to be a good companion to other seafood dishes, pan-fried trout or flounder for example, or just about anything with shrimp."
- Marguerite Thomas (2015 Vintage)

90 Points - Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast
"For the price, this is remarkably concentrated, with ample weight and intense flavors. It's more subdued on the nose, offering just hints of stuck flint and grapefruit, but the citrusy flavors surge forward, culminating in a long, grapefruity finish."
- JC (2013 Vintage)