Marlborough

Awarded 90 points and Highly Recommended status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their August 2017 edition review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (see blue link below).

Ata Rangi SB 2016 - August 2017 Decanter review

Ata Rangi is owned and run by Clive Paton and his wife Phyll, together with Clive's sister Alison and winemaker Helen Masters. Clive planted the bare, stony five hectare home paddock at the edge of Martinborough in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area. Renowned for their Pinot Noir, which is consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best, Ata Rangi also produces a range of white wines including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

** SEE STOCK NOTE BELOW **

Awarded 98 points and ultra-rare Exceptional status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their August 2017 edition review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (see blue link below).

Auntsfield Single Vineyard SB 2016 - August 2017 Decanter review

A true cracker of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that simply bursts with both quality and flavour. 

Marlborough is famous for its two main river valleys, the Wairau and the Awatere, from where many of its great names hail. The Auntsfield plots lie directly between the two, in what is are known as the Southern Valleys. This is a sub-region where the climate is cooler and drier. With its mix of high-mineral Greywacke rock and old, low-fertility Loess clay soils, the Southern Valleys is regarded for its riper styles of wine with more structure, texture and minerality. The Auntsfield vineyard covers 65 hectares and is planted in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. 

This, the Single Vineyard SB, lies some way above Auntsfield's entry level and is made only from grapes grown on the main Estate. The style is aimed towards texture, complexity and length, balancing the typical Marlborough fruit spectrum and aromatics with richness and mouth feel: this is fully realised in the 2016. Unusually for an NZSB, although the majority of the wine was cool-fermented in stainless steel (standard), this was balanced by a portion of the fruit being subject to traditional winemaking practices: handpicked, whole-bunch-pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, which very materially adds texture, body and length to the wine. 

On the nose, it has powerful aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime, with lesser notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, jalapeno and blackcurrant. It's no exaggeration to say that we at Exel reckon this is one of the most deliciously aromatic NZSBs we have yet encountered.

On the palate, the Auntsfield is truly powerful and yet retains its elegance: it displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit and white peach, again with citrus notes of lime and mandarin. Minerality is a term all-too-often banded about in these tasting notes, yet there is a decided wet-stone twang here. Overally, the palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure. All of which is to say: "glorious".

** WE ARE NOW OUT OF STOCK OF THIS WONDERFUL WINE. FOR DETAILS OF THE 2017 VINTAGE, ARRIVING SOON, PLEASE CLICK HERE **

The previous 2016 vintage was awarded 98 points and ultra-rare Exceptional status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their August 2017 edition review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (see blue link below). It has been one of our biggest sellers of 2017.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard SB 2016 - August 2017 Decanter review

The big question is: will the 2017 be as good as the 2016? We await our sample bottles, but see the link below for the word from Auntsfield themselves.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard SB 2017 - vintage release from Auntsfield - September 2017

A true cracker of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that simply bursts with both quality and flavour. 

Marlborough is famous for its two main river valleys, the Wairau and the Awatere, from where many of its great names hail. The Auntsfield plots lie directly between the two, in what is are known as the Southern Valleys. This is a sub-region where the climate is cooler and drier. With its mix of high-mineral Greywacke rock and old, low-fertility Loess clay soils, the Southern Valleys is regarded for its riper styles of wine with more structure, texture and minerality. The Auntsfield vineyard covers 65 hectares and is planted in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. 

This, the Single Vineyard SB, lies some way above Auntsfield's entry level and is made only from grapes grown on the main Estate. The style is aimed towards texture, complexity and length, balancing the typical Marlborough fruit spectrum and aromatics with richness and mouth feel. Unusually for an NZSB, although the majority of the wine was cool-fermented in stainless steel (standard), this was balanced by a portion of the fruit being subject to traditional winemaking practices: handpicked, whole-bunch-pressed and fermented in seasoned oak barrels, which very materially adds texture, body and length to the wine. 

On the nose, it has powerful aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus and lime, with lesser notes of dried herbs, lemongrass, jalapeno and blackcurrant. It's no exaggeration to say that we at Exel reckon this is one of the most deliciously aromatic NZSBs we have yet encountered.

On the palate, the Auntsfield is truly powerful and yet retains its elegance: it displays intense ripe fruit flavours of passionfruit and white peach, again with citrus notes of lime and mandarin. Minerality is a term all-too-often banded about in these tasting notes, yet there is a decided wet-stone twang here. Overally, the palate has intense concentration and generous weight, balanced by an underlying minerality and tight structure. All of which is to say: "glorious".

**  THE 2016 VINTAGE IS NOW FULLY SOLD OUT AT THE UK IMPORTER. THE 2017 VINTAGE IS DUE TO ARRIVE WITH US IN MID-OCTOBER AND WE ARE NOW RUNNING A WAITING LIST FOR ITS ARRIVAL. PLEASE CONTACT US ON orders@exelwines.co.uk OR 01738 493535 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST. WE ARE NOT TAKING PAYMENT AT THIS STAGE BUT WILL CONTACT YOU THE WEEK AHEAD OF ITS ARRIVAL. **

Awarded 89 points and Recommended status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their August 2017 edition review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (see blue link below).

Blank Canvas SB 2016 - August 2017 Decanter review

A classic expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but one which offers complexity of texture and a mineral drive reminiscent of river stones and sea spray. Blackcurrant, guava and passionfruit aromas emerge alongside subtle hints of lemongrass. On the palate, it is focused and vibrant while remaining elegantly balanced and distinctly salty.

Classic Marlborough pungency and varietal definition. Aromas of white currants, blackcurrants, nettles, and ripe tropical notes including passionfruit. A full palate, which finishes with fresh acidity. Currant and mineral characters linger for minutes.

This vibrant, aromatic wine comes from the Awatere Valley, south of the better-known Wairau Plains. Michiel Eradus, owner/winemaker, believes the prolonged ripening period here is key to the wines' flavour intensity. Eradus Sauvignon is herbaceous and mineral with a long, rich finish.

Colourfully expressive nose with notes of lemon, white flowers and a wee bit of minerality. Crisp yet well structured acidity balanced with a gorgeous purity of white ripe fruit and a gentle honeysuckle hint on the finish.

Awarded 86 points and Recommended status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their August 2017 edition review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (see blue link below).

Framingham SB 2016 - August 2017 Decanter review

A classic Marlborough style with a mineral edge. Delivers punchy varietal characters of passion fruit, grapefruit and redcurrant. Texture is enhanced by some barrel ferment and our signature mineral finish is retained. Enjoy with oysters, seafood or vegetarian dishes.

A very elegant wine with incredibly fresh mineral and lime notes on the nose. The palate is rich with more lime and lemon zest notes. Mouth-watering acidity balances the sweetness perfectly.

Rated number 21 in Decanter's 'Most Exciting Wines of 2016' (www.decanter.com) in their January 2017 edition (see blue link below).

Framingham Select Riesling 2015 - January 2017 Decanter review

Delicate aromatics reminiscent of beeswax, raspberry, orange blossom and green tea, with some gentle stone-like mineral tones. Elegant, silky palate with low alcohol making the wine light on its feet, and great tension between sugar and acidity. Rich and pure flavours of orange citrus and red summer fruit compote along with crème anglaise carry through into a very long, stony, almost crunchy, mineral finish. Retained carbon dioxide from fermentation adds liveliness.

Deliciously crisp and fresh, packed full of vibrant and long lasting lime, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours.  Try this with Asian fish dishes like scallops or prawns in spicy sauces such as thai green curries. Grilled squids or swordfish as well as goat cheese salads. It works well with herbs such as dill, basil and coriander.