Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc bottle image

Wine Description

The natural beauty of the Nautilus shell has inspired our expressive, balanced, precisely crafted wines since 1985, the early days of Marlborough winegrowing.  Back then there were only 80 NZ wineries. Today there are nearly 700. Yet we remain small, family-owned, and committed to the stunningly beautiful Marlborough region.

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Acclaim
“Ripe lemon, lime and grapefruit aromas give way to a grassy, fresh herb undertone. The vibrant, zesty palate boasts a creamy texture, a touch of spice and lovely minerality through the lively finish.” 
— Decanter, Jan 2021
“Some attractive flowers and grassy elements with fresh limes and grapefruit pith, as well as a very juicy and fleshy array of vibrant, rich and bright melon that delivers a fresh, zesty and intense feel with so much flavor.”
— James Suckling, Jul 2020
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Stony
Training method
Cane-pruned
Vines/acre:
880
Exposure:
Northern
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
1985
Bottles produced of this wine:
300,000
Average Vine Age:
20
Certified Vineyards:
All vineyards certified under Sustainable winegrowing New Zealand
Certifying Organizations:
New Zealand Winegrowers
Sustainability Certification:
SWNZ
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
21 days
Fermentation temperature:
55 °F
Maceration technique:
Sur-Lie Aging
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling:
5 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.2
Acidity:
7.1 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.9 g/L
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Wine Production

Grapes were machine-harvested at night then fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to give fresh aromas. Some of the fermentations were started with non-saccharomyces yeasts for texture and complexity, with the remainder using aromatic yeasts giving aromatic intensity.  The wine was kept on lees for five months providing creaminess and integrated flavours.

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About the Vineyard

Nautilus Sauvignon is sourced from free-draining stony soils, giving low cropping, low vigour, early ripening vines, great flavour development every year and serious, age-worthy wines.  A blend of sites adds layers of complexity.