Trophy Winner awarded by the prestigious International Wines & Spirit Challenge 1969-2009. . .
Trophies are presented to the very best or the year's entries in specific categories. These Trophies are awarded after a further tasting of the highest scoring products in the specified categories

Tasting Notes:
Pale watery lemon straw colour. Expressive lifted nose with lemon sherbet, crushed blackcurrant leaf, snow peas, the aromas of summer turning to autumn. Edgy elgance in the mouth: smokey minerality, clear, pure streamlined focus, like following a shark underwater, it stays ahead of you, the tang of salt keeps you going; you wont catch up but you keep striving after it.

VARIETY
100% Sauvignon Blanc

LOCALITY
Awatere, Waihopai, and Wairau, Marlborough, New Zealand.

VITICULTURE
Climate: A warm mild spring resulted in an ideal flowering and an even fruit set. Extended dry periods during the season coupled with intermittent rainfall at key times resulted in a perfect canopy and fruit development.
Soils: Free-draining stony, silty loam
Vine Management: Standard trellis with pruning to a maximum of four canes with vertical shoot positioning. Vines are trimmed closely, well tucked and lightly leaf plucked.
Harvest Dates: Between the 29th of March and the 17th of April 2008.

WINEMAKING
The fruit was machine harvested in cool evening conditions, destemmed and lightly pressed with minimal skin con¬tact. Clear, cold-settled juice was fermented in stainless steel vats at low temperatures and using neutral wine yeast strains to allow the powerful fruit flavours to dominate.