Lake Chalice – Sauvignon Blanc ‘The Nest’ – 2023

PRODUCER NOTE:
Lake Chalice was established in 1989 with a vision of producing internationally recognised wines from the heart of the Marlborough region. New Zealand’s native falcon, the ‘Kārearea’, is proudly displayed on every bottle of Lake Chalice wine. Kārearea favour the remote mountains and foothills of the upper Awatere and Wairau valleys and these valleys are home to Lake Chalice’s three unique vineyard sites. Each vineyard has a diverse microclimate, biodiversity and terroir which are seamlessly translated into multi award winning wines by talented winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen. Taking a boutique approach she handcrafts parcels of fruit from single vineyards into elegant, aromatic, fruit driven wines and has garnered a global reputation of outstanding quality. Certified ‘Sustainable Winegrower of New Zealand’.

VINEYARD:
The fruit for this wine is sourced from selected vineyards in Marlborough’s central Wairau Valley, predominantly from the fertile Dillon’s Point sub-region. The eastern flood plain soils are nutrient-rich silty loam, renowned for delivering Marlborough’s iconic tropical flavoured Sauvignon Blanc. In order to capture the maximum expression of regional characteristics, the pruning, irrigation and canopy management is dictated by each variety and by each unique block of land.

WINEMAKING:
The fruit was harvested in the cool of the night, in order to retain the vibrant aromas and fruity flavours. The grapes were gently pressed with minimal skin contact, prior to being fermented under temperature controlled, cool conditions. The clear juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts in order to preserve the purity of fruit and encourage maximum thiol characters. Thiols are the compounds naturally found on the Sauvignon Blanc grapes which are responsible for Marlborough’s signature tropical notes.

TASTING NOTE:
A clear, bright wine with lifted aromas of exotic fruits and blackcurrant leaf. The vibrant palate is deliciously crisp, juicy and textured, layered with mineral notes through to a refreshing, zesty finish.

GRAPE:
Sauvignon Blanc 100%.

COUNTRY:
New Zealand

REGION:
Marlborough

SUB-REGION:
Marlborough