Kevin's comments:  Cool fermented in stainless steel to retain the wonderful fresh, fruity characters for which the best Marlborough Sauvignons are famous. Good weight with a clean, zingy finish.

Chateau Tasting Notes

GOLDWATER ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Goldwater Estate is a small premium winegrower with an international reputation for producing outstanding wines.  Kim and Jeanette Goldwater pioneered wine growing on Waiheke Island, near Auckland, with the planting of the island’s first vinifera vineyards in 1978.  They realised that the unique free draining soils, the warm, dry summers and the maritime influence would combine to give this magic island ideal fine wine growing conditions.

The Goldwater Estate vineyard extends over 30 acres of undulating hillside overlooking Putiki Bay; 20 acres are planted in the classical red Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and 10 acres in Chardonnay.  Due to demand for their wines at home and abroad, Goldwater has expanded into the Wairau Valley in the Marlborough Region where they grow Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

The Goldwater philosophy is to “do the winemaking in the vineyard”.  Sustainable Viticultural Practices, meticulous vineyard management, innovative trellising systems, low yields and hand leaf plucking ensure exceptional fruit quality.  These premium grapes are carefully nurtured using traditional winemaking techniques, supported by modern technology, to create the outstanding handmade wines for which Goldwater Estate is known throughout the world.  Their wines are consistently highly praised and are keenly sought after for their intensity, ripe fruit flavours and complexity.  This wine is sealed by screw cap in order to eliminate the threat of cork taint and premature oxidation.  It allows the wine in each bottle to mature and develop its true character, uniformly and naturally, as intended by the wine maker.

MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC

Grapes Sauvignon Blanc from the 20 hectare vineyard in the Marlborough region.

Soil: Silty clays over gravels

Harvest: Mid April 
                      
Vinification: The grapes were cool fermented in stainless steel tanks with 2 months maturation on gross lees.  The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation.
  
Serve: Chilled as an aperitif or to accompany white meats, seafood and light pasta dishes.   Best drunk as soon as possible while still young and vibrant.

Taste: Clean and refreshing with vibrant guava and passion fruit on the nose.  Silken textured with good weight.  This wine has a long clean, zingy finish.