Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Private Bin 2005

Winemaker's Notes:

WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS Exceptional aromatic ripe gooseberry and lime characters dominate this wine, with hints of green capsicum. The depth and intensity of ripe varietal flavours that this wine presents is a direct reflection of the prolonged fruit ripening policy that Villa Maria pursues in its Marlborough Vineyard. WINEMAKING The grape parcels were harvested at varying levels of ripeness (between 21-24 brix) over a three week period, to achieve a unique spectrum of Sauvignon Blanc flavours. The fruit was crushed, pressed and cold settled at 6c for 24 hours before being racked clean off lees for fermentation. Aromatic yeast strains were used to inoculate the clear juice. The fermentation was conducted at 12-14c to maximise retention of delicate flavour and aromatics. VINEYARDS Fruit was sourced from a range of vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys in Marlborough. The diverse range of soils and climatic conditions throughout these valleys provided an array of fruit flavours and blending options. VINTAGE The spring season of 2004 was fine and warm providing for good vine growth and fruit set whilst December and January 2005 were cooler and wetter than average, slowing down fruit development. The weather settled in February and Marlborough enjoyed some warm dry weather throughout the key ripening months of March and April. Overall the harvest period was quite compressed culminating in a sudden ending with a heavy frost in late April causing the final blocks of fruit to be picked. In spite of the challenges that the season presented, the overall fruit quality was excellent for our Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc.