Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021

 

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Greywacke
Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Marlborough
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 95 2021
BC Bob Campbell MW 95 2021
WS Wine Spectator 93 2021
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2021
JS James Suckling 95 2020
DCT Decanter 96 2018
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2018
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The fruit for this wine was sourced from various vineyards across the Southern Valleys and the central Wairau Plains in Marlborough, New Zealand. These include the subregions of Woodbourne, Renwick, and Rapaura, each contributing unique characteristics:

  • Rapaura and Renwick: Soils here consist of young alluvial deposits with a high proportion of greywacke river stones, imparting minerality and vibrancy.
  • Southern Valleys: Features older clay-loam soils, contributing richness and structure to the wine.

Vineyard management employed both the Scott Henry canopy system for optimal sun exposure and Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) for balance and even ripening.

Winemaking

The winemaking process began with grapes being harvested both by machine at night to retain freshness and by hand during the day. After harvesting, the grapes were lightly pressed to extract a modest volume of high-quality juice. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation in French oak barriques, with a small proportion of new barrels, using indigenous yeasts. This wild fermentation process extended over six months, allowing the wine to develop its signature complexity.

Approximately two-thirds of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, which added creaminess and depth to the palate. Following fermentation, the wine was transferred out of oak and aged on lees for an additional six months to enhance its texture and richness. The finished wine was bottled in September with an alcohol level of 14%, a pH of 3.19, and an acidity of 6.1 g/l.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale gold with a green tinge.
  • Aroma: Intricate layers of quince, yellow apple, and gooseberries, accented by notes of caramelized lemon, vanilla custard, and a hint of toasted fennel seeds.
  • Palate: Complex and textural, featuring juicy stone fruits and citrus with a creamy mid-palate and a crisp, long finish.

Did You Know?

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon is named after the greywacke stones found in the Marlborough region. These stones, formed from ancient riverbeds, define the unique terroir that contributes to the wine’s distinctive minerality and character.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Pavé de Saumon Sauce Beurre Blanc: The wine’s vibrant acidity balances the richness of salmon and buttery sauce.
  • Poulet Rôti aux Herbes: The creamy texture complements the savory, herbaceous flavors of roasted chicken.
  • Risotto aux Champignons: The wine’s earthy undertones enhance the umami of wild mushrooms.
  • Fromage de Chèvre Frais: Its zesty acidity and creamy palate pair beautifully with the tanginess of fresh goat cheese.

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.

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2021)
The 2021 Wild Sauvignon is superb; the wine has all the tilt and lift of Sauvignon Blanc and all the richness from the maturation vessels, plus something extra from the low-yielding but excellent 2021 vintage. This is an exciting wine that is already so balanced and poised. Excellent. Drink it now (most will) or cellar it for up to 20 years, maybe more? 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Bob Campbell MW (BC) : 95 Points (2021)
Sophisticated, complex barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc. It is easy to see why this label has attracted a cult following—it is different, distinctive and very appealing. Impressively textural wine that retains its varietal identity while offering so much more than simple fruit flavours. (12/2022)

Wine Spectator (WS) : 93 Points (2021)
Distinctive, aromatic and complex, with honeysuckle, candied ginger and a drizzle of wildflower honey. Reveals ripe melon, dried fennel and yellow apple notes that mingle with marmalade, tangerine and a touch of mango on the juicy finish.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2021)
Typically reductive and a little funky in style, the 2021 Wild strikes a fine balance with the fruit. Sure, the sulfuric struck match and salted nut characters are prominent, but they’re tempered by more varietal notes of passion fruit and lime. There’s lovely texture to the palate, with zippy acidity and a salted citrus finish.

James Suckling (JS) : 95 Points (2020)
A very attractive nose of lemon sherbet, rosemary, fresh thyme and grated nutmeg. Medium-bodied and silky. So fresh and seamless on the palate with subtle tannins. Chamomile and wet stone. Subtle, nuanced and delicious. An elegant sauvignon blanc. Drink or hold.

Decanter (DCT) : 96 Points (2018)
Complex, flinty, mineral, wild and earthy. Aromas and flavours of peach and preserved lemon, tropical flowers and grapefruit, hay, fresh herb and fruit spice. Distinctive texture with a fine lees, brisk acidity and a mineral mouthfeel. Expressive and complex, lengthy and delicious. A fascinating wine!

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2018)
If you want to be wild and do it with Sauvignon, I can't think of a better place to start. This cuvée undertakes a long, slow, indigenous fermentation in barrel and the result is a really smart, textural style. This is not a shy wine: it's funky with top notes of vivacious violets and a savory undertow of oatmeal. As much as two-thirds of this wine undergoes the malolactic conversion, so there's also a subtle creamy element on the fine but firm finish. (RG) (11/2020)

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Greywacke
Sauvignon Blanc 2023
BC
94
JS
92
WS
95
This wine is a perfect example of how Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can combine richness and aromatic intensity with a long, crisp finish.
22,50 €
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
32,90 €
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