THE KATALYST SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025

Winery notes (2025 Vintage)
"It comes from a fantastic site in the Southern Valleys, grown on heavy clay soils, expressing tropical fruit, citrus, and a subtle dried sage note. On the palate, there’s a gentle line of acidity carrying flavours of stone fruit and exotic fruits, alongside a mineral texture. This is not an immediate, upfront style,  it’s designed to evolve and develop further complexity with age.

From a winemaking perspective, the fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, then fermented entirely in older French oak barrels. Fermentation was partly with indigenous yeast and partly with a textural yeast strain. The wine was aged for 10 months in barrel on full lees, with occasional gentle stirring, and underwent partial malolactic fermentation to round out the palate. Overall, the approach was relatively hands-off, aiming to express the site as naturally as possible. Again, this is a tiny release, only 450 bottles are available."

Reviews for the 2024 vintage below…

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, February 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"A magnificent expression of the variety with stunning complexity, showing passionfruit, feijoa, green rockmelon, almond meal, and savoury pastry aromas on the nose. The palate displays outstanding concentration and fruit intensity, wonderfully complemented by fleshy texture and bright acidity, finishing impressively long and engaging. A gorgeously styled barrel-fermented rendition. At its best: now to 2034."

94/100 Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, October 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"A distinctive and remarkably powerful Sauvignon Blanc with concentrated flavours of feijoa, green melon, hints of cassia bark (oak?) and a deep, stony minerality woven through the densely textured dry palate. Long, fresh and evolving on the finish. Flavoursome yet green and aromatic but not bombastic, this will unfold in interesting ways over the near-term."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, February 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Great colour and brightness with shades of pale straw and youthful green. An excellent bouquet showcasing variety and style with aromas of cape gooseberry and passionfruit, then grapefruit, angelica and sage. Youthful, bright and fragrant. Dry, taut and youthful with the grab of acidity loading onto the palate first, then flavours of citrus and sage, tropical fruit and a cold river stone minerality. Lengthy finish, new and delicious with best drinking from mid to late 2025 through 2029+."