Sauvignon Blanc 2022/23, Isabel Estate, Marlborough

A pure tropical fruit nose of passionfruit and gooseberry gives way to nuances of blackcurrant, grapefruit and underlying flinty aromas. The palate is concentrated and enticing, coupled with the classic Isabel ‘Old Vine’ mineral tones, making this wine refreshing and traditional in style. A creamy mid-palate and balanced acidity gives the wine weight and length, and makes it a great accompaniment to freshly caught fish or mussels.

Isabel Estate is one of the original Marlborough vineyards with some of the oldest vines in the region on original rootstock. In1980, and with a bird’s eye view, pilot Mike Tiller discovered a precious pocket of land, and the beginning of one of the pioneering Marlborough wineries was born. Mike and his wife Robyn built a winery on the site and named it in honour of Mike’s mother, Isabel. Throughout the 1980s the couple planted key noble varietals and began to deliver fruit of exceptional quality, in high demand from premium and internationally renowned wine producers. In 2001 Mike’s mother, Isabel, coerced him into abandoning his flying career to focus on the estate.

The 2020/21 growing season was another warm one with minimal rainfall from December through until harvest. Early season frosts resulted in lower than average yields and an earlier start to harvest than we normally experience. The Estate saw average Sauvignon Blanc yields of 10 tonnes/ hectare. Fruit quality was exceptional, showing concentration and ripe acidity and with no rain picking decisions were made easy, picking at optimal ripeness.