Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay — 2021
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Introduction
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Since 1984, Cape Crest has developed an international following for its unique expression of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke’s Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.
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Vineyard Profile
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The fully ripe grapes for Cape Crest 2021 were hand harvested from individual plots within Te Mata Estate’s vineyards between March 1-8, 2021.
- Appellation: Hawke's Bay
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Vinification
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The separate parcels were each destemmed and lightly crushed, then cooled before a brief period of skin contact. Following pressing and cold-settling, they were run to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for fermentation. The resulting wines were aged on lees, with regular stirring, for a further 11 months before bottling in February 2022.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 87% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Sauvignon Gris, 4% Semillon
- Alcohol: 13%
- TA: 7.5 g/L
- p H: 3.1
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Tasting Notes
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A bright and pale straw color, The Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2021 immediately offers up notes of guava, lime juice, white nectarine and white peach, that all lead into a palate exploding with tropical fruit, salinity, and a fine, crystalline acidity. The perfect match for a plump fresh oyster in its half shell, the complexing notes of woodsmoke, grapefruit and juniper in Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2021 make it satisfy now yet more than capable of aging. Moreish and complex, this a wine of immense reward.
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Images
Reviews
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Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – Wine Advocate – 94 Points
"The wine has aromas of French pear, spring flowers and green apple skins, chalky, talc-y and floral, and there's freshness and texture. The oak is essentially invisible but lends a texturing hand to the phenolics. Low pH here gives the tension and energy. Sauvignon Gris is a seasoning, offering a strawberry/ tropical note, bison grass, straw and smoked cassis. The clay gives a punchy nettle-y, gooseberry, lantana note."
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Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – James Suckling – 93 Points
"A perfumed nose of green apples, passion fruit, grated nutmeg and beeswax. Medium-bodied. Bright and driving. Lemony acidity with a subtle smokiness. There is lovely weight and texture here with a solid core of fresh fruit and a lingering finish."
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Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – Vinous – 92 Points
'“There's plenty of expressive aromatics from blackcurrant and herbs to nectarine and tropical fruit, along with well-integrated oak-derived vanilla. A delightful, concentrated, attractive style that provides a refreshing alternative to classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc styles.”