The 43 Degree vineyard is planted with vineyard rows running in an unusual angle of 43 degrees North East to South West. This results in more shade to the southerly aspect of each row thereby producing a slightly more herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc than other sites in Marlborough

Region: Marlboroughs lower Wairau area, east of Blenheim.
Terroir: Soils: Even, fertile, deep, free draining silt loams.
Topography: Flat, with rows unusually running north-east to south-west at a 43 degree angle.
Climate: Slightly cooler than most of the Marlborough Valley with a slower longer ripening period

The fruit was sourced from a vineyard on the fertile, free-draining soils of the lower Wairau Valley. The fruit was carefully monitored during ripening and harvested in the cool of the evening at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness. Winemaking
:The fruit was pressed off as quickly as possible to minimise skin contact and juice deterioration following harvesting. After settling the juice was fermented using selected yeast in 100 per cent stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit flavour and freshness. This batch was selected as a Pioneer Block wine due to its unique flavour, intensity and complexity.

Colour:Pale straw

Aroma:Powerful and intense aromas of crushed herb, blackcurrant bud, passionfruit and gooseberry.

Palate: This Sauvignon Blanc is distinctively Marlborough and has a fresh vibrant palate of passionfruit, gooseberry and crushed herb. The wine has a wonderfully full and rich palate with striking minerality leading to a long, lasting finish. It is the crushed herb flavour that is a point of difference for this wine