Sauvignon Blanc
75cl * Vegan * 13.0% ABV * Marlborough, New Zealand
Located in the Wairau Valley area of Marlborough, Isabel Estate benefits from extensive sunshine hours combined with a long, cool growing season. The site itself is unusual for Marlborough, combining free-draining gravels with a narrow layer of clay in the subsoil, preventing excess water loss from the gravel. Concentration is achieved through densely planted vines, double the usual number in Marlborough. Sustainable viticultural practices are used, including mulching and organic fertilisers to maintain soil nutrition. From the outset, Isabel set a new trend among Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc producers – a style now being adopted elsewhere. Twenty percent of the hand-harvested fruit is fermented in small, French oak barrels to add complexity and a textural mouth feel to the wine.
The first commercial release of this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was in 1996 and since then Isabel has earnt its place as one of the most iconic wines of the region. An alluring nose displays notes of grapefruit and citrus with hints of lemongrass and passionfruit. The palate is concentrated and layered with bright citrus and tropical fruits giving way to a creamy mid palate and mineral finish. A perfect match with whole barbequed fish or freshly steamed mussels