SMITH & SHETH CRU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020

The grapes for this come from the stoney soils around Renwick with the vines being between 20 – 30 years old blended with biodynamically grown hillside fruit from the Churton Vineyard. Steve believes that to make an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, this is an essential building block resulting in low yielding high quality fruit. This is an elegant, yet powerful Sauvignon Blanc that builds its layers of flavour on the palate. Very, very classy and a welcome addition to the serious Sauvignon Blanc section on our shelves.

Who are Smith & Sheath?
"We are in the business of creating great wines that bring great pleasure. Pleasure that comes from consuming great wine made by fine people to be shared with good friends.

As contemporary negociants Steve Smith and Brian Sheth seek out the exceptional. We have made the most of over 35 years of experience with the growers and makers of New Zealand – forging relationships, hand selecting the best parcels from exceptional vineyards only, then nurturing, blending and bottling these wines. Establishing steadfast relationships with the land, growers and makers who form the DNA of our CRU.

The french call it terroir – a sense of place. In New Zealand we have our own defining word – turangawaewae – our place to stand in the world – it describes the special connection of a people and the land they live, love and work in. Our wines reflect the magic and alchemy of this relationship and the true beauty of these places. CRU has been chosen to collect these wines under one banner as it is the only word that exists that means “vineyards of exceptional quality.” Each wine also has the Maori designation that relates to its whenua (land) origins. The labels have a unique design embossed within that represent the genomes sequence of the grape varieties we are working with. The DNA that is natural to the vine and to the vineyard ecosystem is reflected in each and every wine we make. Our names, Steve Smith and Brian Sheth, are the assurance of a wine that will give inordinate pleasure. Let us share with you the pleasure, culture and craft of our wine."

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Wonderful aromatics of lime, passionfruit and a warm summer meadow. Lovely delicious palate brimming with gooseberry, fresh lime, and hints of ripe nectarine finishing with a lovely long feel of the stony soils and refreshing salty acidity.

Sourced from low yielding old vines averaging 25 years in age from the rocky, bony soils around the Renwick township in Marlborough blended with biodynamically grown hillside fruit from the Sam and Mandy Weavers Churton Vineyard."

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, February 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Complex, pure, refreshing, spicy, varietal and inviting bouquet. Aromas of tropical flowers and fruits, fresh lemon and grapefruit, pith and white peach, fresh and dried herbs and a stony minerality. On the palate – dry, textured and specific with flavours that reflect the nose plus a leesy autolysis layering in texture and flavour. Firm, youthful and precise. Balanced, refreshing and well made. Best drink upon purchase and through 2024."

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"A beautifully styled sauvignon offering both varietal intensity with refinement; showing Granny Smith apple, nectarine, jasmine and green rockmelon characters on the nose with a hint of wet limestone. It's powerfully expressed on the palate displaying excellent focus and drive, combined with bright acidity, making it brilliantly structured and highly appealing. At its best: now to 2028."

5 Stars & 18.5+/20 (94) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, February 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Bright, pale straw-yellow with some depth, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is soft and pretty, elderflower, lime, passionfruit melded with a little tomato vine and white spice, underlying stony minerals. Medium-bodied, the palate is full and complex with poise, aromas of lime, passionfruit, entwined with a savoury edge of tomato vine, underlined elderflower and honey infused the palate, subtle lime zest and white spice lingers to an elegant, persistent finish. The fruit is well-proportioned and harmonious, shows concentration and ripeness; floral, honey details added complexity flows along with lacy acidity. Mouthfeel is rounded with a little phenolic on a fine-textured line, echoing minerality. This is a poised Sauvignon Blanc with fineness and complexity on a fine-textured palate. Match with steamed dumplings and prawn tempura over the next 3-5 years. Old vines from two vineyard sites, one from stony soil around Renwick township and the other a biodynamic vineyard on the hills above Waihopai Valley; mainly fermented in stainless steel, some wild fermented in fuder and barrel, almost 6 months on lees. 13% alc."