ORIGIN
Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke Bay, home to the world's largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.
VINEYARDS
The fully ripe grapes for Cape Crest '20 were hand harvested from individual plots within Te Mata Estate's vineyards between 26 February and 5 March 2020.
WINEMAKING
The separate parcels were each destemmed and lightly crushed, then cooled before a brief period of skin contact. Following pressing and cold-settling, they were run to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for fermentation. The resulting wines were aged on lees, with regular stirring, for a further 11 months before bottling in February 2021. Cape Crest '20 is a blend of 85% sauvignon blanc, 9% semillon and 6% sauvignon gris.
TASTING NOTE
The 2020 is a remarkable Cape Crest; palest lemon and brilliant in the glass. Luscious citrus and succulent stone fruit slide effortlessly towards a precise and lingering finish of gooseberry, lime and sea salt. Among all the ripe and pure fruit on the palate floats crunchy acidity and complexing grace-notes of dill, coriander, beeswax and woodsmoke. Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc '20 is a signature example, with drive, moreish appeal and elegance to spare.