Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc

Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.

Winemaker notes

2021: A bright and pale straw colour, Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc ’21 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 ’21 make it satisfy now yet more than capable of ageing. Moreish and complex, this a wine of immense reward.

2021

Wine Advocate 94: The 2021 Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc is a mélange of hand-picked estate fruit: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. 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. The Semillon is restrained. Malolactic fermentation is blocked, and the wine sees 11 months élevage sur lie in French oak (30% new).

James Suckling 93: 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. A blend of sauvignon blanc, sauvignon gris and semillon. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.