Nautilus - Sauvignon Blanc | New Zealand White Wine

It was a nervous start to the 2021 growing season with a significant frost just as Sauvignon Blanc buds were starting to emerge. Then a cold snap occurred during the critical flower period and from then on, we knew crops were going to be low. The rest of the season was relatively kind with temperatures slightly above average and rainfall slightly below. With the low crops, we expected ripening to advance relatively quickly and that proved to be the case. We were fortunate to clear most of the handpicked grapes before we started picking Sauvignon. The harvest wrapped up on March 25th – our earliest finish ever and the first time we have finished in March. Quality across the varieties is exceptional. There is a good range of aromas and flavours across a spectrum of ripeness, which has meant blending of Sauvignon was an absolute pleasure. 2021 have the potential to be right up there with the best vintages of the last two decades. It is just a shame there is not much of it.