Staete Landt Estate is situated in the heart of the famous Rapaura area of Marlborough, New Zealand. The 52 acre Estate is made up of many individual parcels, including 6 Sauvignon Blanc. Each provides its own unique expression, delivering a range of intense and vibrant flavours.
Vintage 2009 began with a warm and settled spring, although rain in December did impact on the flowering of the Sauvignon Blanc. As a result, the crop levels were ideal and well balanced. A lot of work on canopies was undertaken in January which paid off when we experienced rain during February. The open canopies and well balanced vines meant the fruit stayed clean and free from any disease threat. In March the temperatures were higher than average, although we experienced some very cool nights. The end result of these conditions meant the fruit was harvested at perfect physiological ripeness, with superb crisp, fresh acidity.
Each parcel of Sauvignon Blanc was harvested separately, providing us with an array of different flavours and structure. The first picks with their hallmark Marlborough herbaciousness and crisp acidity combine elegantly with the concentrated rich tropical fruit of the later picks.
Harvest Dates: 2 -14 April
Brix: 21.7 – 23.6 Brix
Just as we treat each parcel differently in the vineyard, so too do we handle the fruit differently in the winery. The machine harvested parcels were fermented using various neutral yeast strains in order to emphasise the fruit flavours and aromas. Two large other portions were handpicked and whole bunch pressed to retain delicacy and elegance. We combined one of the handpicked parcels with half of the machine picked and aged on lees for between 2 and 5 months. During this time we allowed the components to develop a subtle but complex creaminess.
The second handpicked portion (about 20% of the wine) was fermented in 6 – 10 year old barriques, with a mixture of cultured and indigenous years. This added more complexity to the wine and a mineral oak flavour, due to the age of the barrels.
Alcohol: 13.5%; Acidity: 6.9 g/l; pH: 3.14; Sugar: <1 g/l
The 2009 Staete Landt sauvignon blanc is intensely aromatic with rose petals, orangeblossom and tropical fruit characters. In the mouth a soft velvety texture with abundant nectarines and crisp granny smiths, chalky/slaty characters and a round and elegant mineral finish.
This wine is drinking well from now onwards but will increase in complexity and reward cellaring for up to 5 years.