Tasting description
Though dry, this Sauvignon Blanc is full and fruity. On the nose, it presents a bouquet of tropical fruit. These aromas are backed up on the palate by flavours of pineapple and green mango, finishing with a bracing flash of lime crispness. This wine is best enjoyed young.
Winemaking
All the fruit for this wine was crushed to press. We kept the free-run and pressings separate, allowing both components to cold settle for 48 hours to obtain bright, clear juice. It was then cool fermented for three weeks to retain freshness and aromatics. After fermentation, the wine was racked and kept on light lees for two months before being blended. We bottled this wine early to retain maximum freshness and aroma.
Analysis at bottling: Alcohol 14.0% TA = 7.2 g/L RS = 2.1 g/L pH = 3.32
Vintage
2009 was an excellent growing season in Cheviot Hills. Moderate flowering on our young vines delivered only a light crop of fruit. The vines were trimmed and leaf plucked to ensure good air circulation and water was limited to control vine vigour. We started harvesting very early on 31st April, 11 days earlier than the previous year, and continued over the next week, bringing in clean, ripe fruit with intense flavour.
Food match
Mt Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc 2009 is a refreshing aperitif, but also complements a range of light foods, in particular summer salads, seafood, pork kofta and goat cheese dishes.
Other Vintages
Mt Beautiful Cheviot Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (currently available)
