Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Growing Region: Awatere Valley, New Zealand

Winemaker: Glenn Thomas

TASTING NOTE:
Tupari Wines is a small artisan wine producer located in the Awatere Valley sub-appellation of Marlborough in the South Island of New Zealand. The vineyard takes its name from the dramatic cliffs forming the Upper Awatere Valley where the Turnbull family (who are great hosts I must add) and pioneering winemaker Glenn Thomas have collaborated to create wines of distinction.

The vineyard is situated on north-facing river flats overlooking the braided Awatere River. Their carefully nurtured grapes allow Glenn to create sophisticated, elegant wines displaying striking flavour intensity and finely honed structure and balance. This single-vineyard wine is taken from two distinct areas - the minerality from the 'Boulder' Block and the white stone-fruit characteristics from 'Campers Flat' are combined to create a wine of balanced complexity.

The grapes are harvested as two separate batches before being gently pressed at the winery. Yeast strains are specifically selected to add layers of flavour and the wine is left on its lees for 6 months, stirred weekly, to enhance the creamy palate texture. The 2011 vintage had 10% of the wine placed into well seasoned oak to create further textural characters.

The 2011 Tupari Sauvignon Blanc shows lifted stone-fruit with a hint of passion-fruit and a rich palate texture showing mineral and citrus flavours. The long and full palate finishes with a refreshing mineral note and clean acidity. Chill and serve at 8-10C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this summer; and over the next 3-4 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with seafood, baked scallops, freshly shucked oysters or seared crisp snapper, enjoy.

Taking Sauvignon Blanc to another level.