Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"Classical in its fresh herb, lime cordial and passionfruit seed with a coastal element of weathered rock and salt spray. The palate is linear and textured finishing dry and salivating. Picking early has not only captured the classic herbal notes of the variety but has allowed for the vibrant acid profile to be balanced by the concentration from low yields, a hint of barrel weight and a touch of residual sugar retained from the fermentation. Sidewinder is an opportunity to celebrate and explore the regional diversity of our icon variety of New Zealand.
Vintage 2024 was an incredible growing season, sunny with small amounts of well-timed rainfall allowing our vineyards to mature in perfect balance and the fruit to be harvested in perfect condition. Our Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are all dry farmed and hand harvested from elevated hillside vineyards, exposed to the cooling sea breezes, giving small crops of intensely flavoured grapes. At the winery the Sauvignon Blanc is whole bunch pressed to tank before settling, racking and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. A small portion of the ripest fruit was barrel fermented on full solids with wild yeast to provide an aromatic lift and provide some tannin structure to the whole bunch portion."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2024 (2024 Vintage)
"Aromatic, ripe and fruity bouquet, there’s a distinctive sense of soil and site with clay and stone then exotic flowers. The familiar scents of quince and citrus, some tropical fruit moments and a fine hay bell-pepper herbaceous quality all have a spiced note suggesting some lees and even a touch of barrel work – adding complexity and intrigue. Crisp, dry, taut and delicious with a nice palate squeeze and spicy grip. Flavours reflect the bouquet with some palate warmth and plenty of acidity. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2028."