Country New Zaland

Region  Martinborough

Grape  100% Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol 13.5%

Closure Screwcap

Producer

Wim Julicher is a Dutchman who came to New Zealand in 1972, and loved it so much he never moved back home. In 1996 he bought a plot of land in Martinborough with the aim of producing olive oil an aim quickly thwarted by fatal frosts. However, the land happened to be on Te Muna Road, one of the very best locations in Martinborough, and so Wim replaced the trees with vines. Since the first vintage, 2002, Julicher Estate has amassed a spectacular string of awards, thanks in large part to talented Finnish winemaker Outi Jakovirta, while remaining true to Wims boutique vision, producing just 5,000 cases per year.

Vineyard

The Te Muna terraces lie south-east of the village of Martinborough, and consist of free-draining, mineral-rich alluvial gravel. The grapes were harvested by hand in the second week of April.

Winery

The grapes were whole-bunch pressed without skin contact. Most of the juice was then fermented in stainless steel tanks, with fifteen percent going instead to seasoned oak barrels. There was minimal fining and early bottling to preserve the exuberant fruit character of the grapes.

Taste

Vibrantly aromatic, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc, with grapefruit, gooseberry and passion fruit aromas. In the mouth there is impressive weight and texture, married to fresh, citrus-dominated flavour, and leading to a dry, minerally finish.