Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023

 

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Greywacke
Sauvignon Blanc 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Marlborough
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Sauvignon Blanc

This wine is a perfect example of how Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can combine richness and aromatic intensity with a long, crisp finish.

Experts Score Vintage
BC Bob Campbell MW 94 2023
JS James Suckling 92 2023
WS Wine Spectator 95 2022
RP Robert Parker 94 2022
DCT Decanter 94 2022
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2022
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The grapes for the Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from select vineyards in Marlborough, primarily from the Southern Valleys and central Wairau Plains, specifically Woodbourne, Renwick, and Rapaura. These vineyards are planted on a variety of soil types:

  • In Rapaura and Renwick, the soils are young and alluvial, containing a high proportion of greywacke river stones, which promote excellent drainage and contribute to the wine's bright, vibrant fruit character.
  • The Southern Valleys have denser clay-loam soils, adding texture and complexity to the wine.

The vineyards are managed with Scott Henry canopy management and vertical shoot positioning trellises, optimizing sunlight exposure and air circulation for ideal ripening.

Winemaking

The Sauvignon Blanc was harvested largely by machine during the cool night-time hours over a 16-day period. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and immediately transported to the winery in the Omaka Valley, where they were lightly pressed to obtain a high-quality juice.

The juice was then cold-settled and racked before fermentation, which took place primarily in stainless steel tanks using cultured yeast. Each vineyard batch was kept on its lees until late June to enhance the wine’s texture and complexity. After this, the individual batches were blended and prepared for bottling.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with green highlights.
  • Aroma: Enticing aromas of cassis, lemon sorbet, and green mango, with a delicate hint of white pepper spice.
  • Palate: The palate is juicy and vibrant, offering flavors of Winter Cole pear, baked apple pie, and elderflower, layered with ripe citrus notes. The wine has a smooth, textural quality, finishing with a refreshing acidity and lingering minerality.
  • Finish: Long, clean, and crisp, with a harmonious balance of fruit, spice, and a touch of flinty dryness.

Did You Know?

The name Greywacke is inspired by the greywacke river stones that are found in Marlborough’s vineyards. These stones are a key element in the soils, helping to enhance the drainage and character of the wines. Kevin Judd, the founder of Greywacke, is also New Zealand’s premier wine photographer, and his work often graces the labels of the wines he creates.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Goat cheese salad with citrus dressing: The wine’s fresh acidity and citrus notes balance the creamy tang of goat cheese, while the herbal elements in the salad enhance the wine’s complexity.
  • Grilled asparagus with lemon butter: The savory and citrus aspects of the wine complement the earthy flavors of grilled asparagus and the richness of the lemon butter.
  • Seared scallops with a herb butter sauce: The tropical fruit and minerality of the wine pair beautifully with the delicate sweetness of the scallops and the richness of the herb butter.
  • Sushi with wasabi and soy: The bright acidity and citrus fruit flavors of the wine are a perfect match for the umami of soy sauce and the spice of wasabi.

History of Greywacke Estate

The story of Greywacke begins with Kevin Judd, one of the leading figures in New Zealand's wine industry. Born in England and raised in Australia, Judd moved to New Zealand in 1983 to pursue winemaking. His work as the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay, one of Marlborough’s most famous wineries, catapulted the region to international fame, particularly for its Sauvignon Blanc. Over his 25-year career at Cloudy Bay, Judd helped shape the style of Marlborough’s wines, known for their vibrant acidity and intense fruit flavors.

In 2009, after leaving Cloudy Bay, Judd founded Greywacke as his own independent project, allowing him to focus on crafting wines with a more artisanal, hands-on approach. Initially producing the wines at Dog Point Winery, another notable Marlborough estate, Greywacke became a standalone brand that quickly gained a reputation for quality. Judd named the winery after the greywacke stones that are scattered throughout Marlborough’s vineyards, symbolizing the estate’s deep roots in the local soil.

Greywacke remains a family-run business, with Judd overseeing both the vineyard management and winemaking. His wife, Kimberley, also plays an integral role in the estate’s operations. With a small but dedicated team, Greywacke has established itself as one of Marlborough’s top boutique wineries, producing wines that are both complex and expressive of the region’s terroir.

Region and Vineyards

Greywacke sources its grapes from some of the finest vineyards across Marlborough, focusing on the Southern Valleys and Wairau Plains. The region is New Zealand’s premier wine-growing area, benefiting from a cool maritime climate and long growing season. This combination of climate and geography enables Greywacke to produce wines with intense flavors, vibrant acidity, and a remarkable sense of place.

The Southern Valleys, where Greywacke’s Pinot Noir is primarily sourced, is known for its clay-rich soils, which contribute texture and complexity to the wines. The vineyards here benefit from warmer temperatures, allowing the grapes to achieve full ripeness while maintaining freshness. The Wairau Plains, on the other hand, are characterized by stony, alluvial soils that drain freely and are ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc. These soils, combined with the region’s abundant sunshine, produce wines with bright fruit flavors and crisp acidity.

Greywacke’s vineyards are managed with sustainability at the forefront, and many of the sites are organically farmed. The winery adheres to Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) guidelines, ensuring that its wines meet the highest standards of provenance, quality, and environmental stewardship. Greywacke focuses on low yields to ensure the concentration and quality of the fruit, with hand-harvesting and meticulous vineyard care throughout the growing season.

Wine Range

Greywacke is best known for its iconic Sauvignon Blanc, which combines vibrant tropical fruit flavors with subtle complexity from wild fermentation. The range also includes:

  • Wild Sauvignon: A more complex, oak-aged expression of Sauvignon Blanc, fermented with wild yeasts to add depth and texture.
  • Pinot Noir: Elegant and structured, Greywacke’s Pinot Noir showcases red fruit, spice, and earthy undertones, reflecting the diverse terroirs of Marlborough.
  • Chardonnay: A rich and textured wine with notes of stone fruit, citrus, and integrated oak, made in a style that balances freshness with complexity.
  • Riesling and Gewürztraminer: Small-batch aromatic wines that emphasize purity of fruit and vibrant acidity.

Did You Know?

In addition to his winemaking achievements, Kevin Judd is a talented photographer. His passion for photography is often showcased on the Greywacke wine labels, which feature his evocative images of New Zealand’s landscapes. His photography has been exhibited internationally and is the subject of several books, including The Colour of Wine.

Bob Campbell MW (BC) : 94 Points (2023)
Intense and quite aromatic wine with capsicum, guava, gooseberry, mineral, and citrus flavours. A powerful example of the Marlborough style.

James Suckling (JS) : 92 Points (2023)
Fragrant aromas of candied citrus, guava and orange blossoms followed by nettles, sage and box trees. Medium-bodied, mouthwatering acidity. Vibrant and aromatic.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2022)
Distinctive, succulent and wonderfully complex, with honeysuckle, honey-preserved ginger, creamy lemon curd, ripe mango and floral notes, plus stone fruit flavors on a rich, smooth and mouthwateringly juicy frame. Reveals hints of spices that linger on the long, expressive finish.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2022)
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is incredibly aromatic, and while the Greywacke wines have a proven track record of aging potential, there's nothing quite like the vibrancy of youth. On the nose, there is tatami mat, sesame, a hint of tahini, passionfruit, pineapple, green apple, yuzu and brine. In the mouth, the wine is concentrated and pleasurable—this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in its best light, in my opinion. It’s saturated with flavor, fine phenolic structure and loads of personality. It even manages a tiny bit of restraint. Great. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Decanter (DCT) : 94 Points (2022)
With 25 years at Cloudy Bay, Kevin Judd was key to the global renown of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Today his Greywacke wines (particularly the Wild Sauvignon) are standard bearers in their own right. This elegant, textural vintage brims with zippy pineapple sorbet, elderflower blossom and green mango freshness, with bracing lime acidity and a creamy passionfruit curd finish.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2022)
Heady—but not bombastic—aromas of passion fruit, guava and jasmine, with grassy, flinty pungency beneath, pop from the glass. The palate shows lovely texture and balance with a saline, mineral core and a limy finish. This is a classic expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from one of its masters.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 93 Points (2021)
The 2021 Sauvignon from Greywacke is classic yet classy. It is richly aromatic yet not flamboyant, with good purity of fruit: expect flavors of black currant and nectarine alongside subtle tropical fruit and citrus. Due to a naturally low-yielding season, it offers impressive concentration and a ripe, succulent midpalate. The fine, mouthwatering acidity provides length and line on the zesty, passionfruit-infused, lightly structured finish. Delightful in youth, but it will evolve and provide a different Sauvignon experience in five to seven years.

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Greywacke
Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021
WS
93
RP
95
WE
93
The Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc is an intricate and textural expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, offering a rich palate of tropical fruit and subtle savory notes. This alternative style of Sauvignon Blanc, crafted by Kevin Judd, showcases the complexity of wild fermentation and oak aging.
32,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2021
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2021
Greywacke
Pinot Noir 2021
JS
94
RP
93
WE
94
The Greywacke Pinot Noir is a beautifully structured and spicy expression of Marlborough Pinot Noir, offering a vibrant palate of red and black fruits combined with earthy and smoky complexities. 
36,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Greywacke Chardonnay 2021
Greywacke Chardonnay 2021
Greywacke
Chardonnay 2021
RP
95
With its elegant structure and depth, the Greywacke Chardonnay showcases the unique terroir of Marlborough and the skillful winemaking for which Greywacke is renowned.
34,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
22,50 €
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