2017 Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough

Raranga’ means ‘woven’ in Māori, reflecting the winemaking techniques. The first release of an alternative Sauvignon Blanc style. Very pale straw with slight green hues. The nose is very fine and taut, showing cooler-spectrum gooseberry fruit, green stonefruits, nettle herbs and nutty elements, quite slender. Dry to taste, the palate is tightly bound with intense and aromatic flavours of green stonefruits, nectarines with gooseberries, along with nettle elements and spices, revealing mineral hints. The texture is very fine, and the palate is crisp with brisk acidity. Good line, finishing with lightness. The cooler vintage shows, but the inputs positive and subtle, and in balance. Hand-picked fruit, 10% fermented on skins for 8 weeks, 4% whole bunch fermented, 40% in barrel by indigenous yeasts with high solids to 12.5% alc., a portion undergoing MLF.

18/20 Raymond Chan

A small portion of skin contact adds another dimension to this restrained lime and herb leaf style. The cooler vintage has really focused this wine into a fresh, long lime citrus mode on the palate. November 2017.

92 points Nick Stock jamessuckling.com