2020 Delta Sauvignon Blanc

Delta Vineyard

New Zealand / Marlborough / Delta Vineyard

Selected from a single vineyard in the Dillons Point area of Marlborough. Close to the ocean, this sub-region experiences long
hot days balanced by the effect of cooling sea breezes at night.
The 2020 vintage started with cool spring weather which extended the
length of flowering, leading to open bunches. A long and hot growing
season led to lower crop levels with increased intensity of expressive
tropical characteristics. Ripening steadily throughout the growing period, the fruit was continually monitored until a balance of flavour, acidity and physiological ripeness was reached.
During a cool evening, the vineyard was machine harvested and the grapes quickly transported to the winery where they were destemmed and pressed. After settling, the juice was fermented at cool temperatures and racked off lees quickly to retain the vibrant fruit flavours and freshness of this Sauvignon Blanc.
The wine shows aromas of grapefruit, zesty lemon peel and clean minerality. An intense and weighty palate shows layers of citrus and nettle. A fine thread of oyster shell and minerality lead to a pure and elegant finish.

April, 2021

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

91 points.

Crisp and crunchy style. Grapefruit, gooseberry, some tomato plant. It’s fresh and juicy, but with a distinct nettle/green things cut to it, quite flinty, with a tangy/tart finish of good length. Does the job nicely.

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About Delta Vineyard

Delta was founded in 2000 by three prominent wine industry veterans and good mates, who had spent evenings enjoying wine and discussing the potential for exceptional and unique Pinot Noir in Marlborough. Using their collective viticulture and winemaking expertise they found a site that was ideal for growing high-quality Pinot Noir and planted it with selected Dijon clones. They spared no expenses in their Delta venture: investing in the best land and vines; cropping at extremely low levels; hand harvesting with multiple picks throughout the harvest season; and using the best winemaking techniques.Over the last decade and a half it’s fair to say that Delta has redefined the notion of great-value, expressive New Zealand Pinot Noir.

About

Heather moved to Marlborough in 2008 after completing a Master of Science in Psychology at Canterbury University. Her intention was to experience the romance of harvest then move to Melbourne to pursue a career in architectural psychology. Plans changed however when she fell in love with the wine industry and Marlborough. Since basing herself in Marlborough she has completed a Graduate Diploma in Oenology, and has worked harvests for prominent wine companies in Tuscany and California. Heather spent five years as assistant winemaker at a large family wine company before taking on the role of winemaker for The Delta Wine Company. She took the reins as head winemaker in May 2017.
When not working she loves to explore the world, but always loves coming home to Marlborough, where she enjoys sailing in the Marlborough Sounds, rowing on the Wairau River and sharing local food and wines with friends.