Limited to 3,500 bottles globally, Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 is the culmination of a project to create the “ultimate expression of Sauvignon Blanc”.
The wine, it is said, will be able to age in bottle for up to 10 years.
According to Pernod Ricard, Brancott Estate started examining the world’s top Sauvignon Blancs in 2008, in what was termed the Icon Project.
The winery collaborated with a number of vineyard managers, winemakers and research specialists, including Professor Denis Dubourdieu – a specialists in the ageing of white wines – to conduct viticultural and vinification trials throughout the Marlborough region.
According to Pernod Ricard, every aspect of Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc production was scrutinised and challenged.
For the new wine Brancott Estate chose grapes from “low crop levels”, resulting, it is claimed, in a “powerful expression and concentration of flavour”.
Patrick Materman, Brancott Estate’s chief winemaker, said: “The research work we are undertaking internally is world-leading – our understanding of complex and age-worthy natural aroma compounds of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, together with our learnings of the soil types on Brancott Vineyard, has given us a unique opportunity to create this prestigious wine – the pinnacle of our winemaking.
“This project has been, and will continue to be, a long journey of discovery, involving many people working together to challenge every step of New Zealand’s winemaking and viticulture practices from the past four decades. The release of Brancott Estate Chosen Rows is testament to our on-going commitment to Marlborough and our pioneering vision, which led us to create the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc nearly 40 years ago.”
