Cloudy Bay Tekoko Sauvignon Blanc 2012, 2013 and 2014
Barrel fermented with indigenous yeast before undergoing malolactic fermentation with wild yeast. Aged in French oak(10% new, 18-months sur lie, occasional stirring with creativity), all three vintages(2012, 2013 and 2014) are consistently and snap dry. They are so different with varying layers, mouth-feel. Regardless of wines, Tekoko as the top Sauvignon Blanc from Cloudy Bay is an alternative to proper Sancerres. In drinking Tekoko we always want more....
Tekoko 2014, compared to that of 2013, is more on the grapefruit side, with Jasmine flowers, sweet garden herbs and mandarin citrus steeped in ginger spice. 2014 palate seems creamier and full, yet finishes with an intuitively balanced lemon citrus twist. Vintage 2014 gives a bigger crop and had been harvested earlier.
Te Koko 2013 is intense in nose and palate, borne from vine age, with balanced acidity and a ripe aromatic profile. On palate layers of passionfruit, lychee and a crisp smash of white fruit layers. Rounded and buttery smooth on the palate with a balanced acidity and slightly racy.
Vintage 2012, compared to 2013, stands out on palate texture though. It would seem to us that the fruit profile of 2012 is fresher and greener, with aromas of lemon thyme, mandarin blossom and stonefruit combine harmoniously with ginger spice and nutty and savoury tones, underlined by exotic tropical notes. And of course, 2012 has more mineral/salty taste with an additional year of bottle ageing. A very small crop.
The team likes all three vintages; they are all different. However, 2014 is very fresh to drink, with the full spectrum of tastes. It will evolve nicely in the next 3 to 4 years.
