Comparing Greywacke 2015 and 2014, Sauvignon Blanc
While Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc has the easy instant appeal of a pop song that goes straight to number one, the wines Greywacke 2015 and 2014 that we tasted, which were made by the former maker of Cloudy Bay, just aren't delivering the standard Marlborough wolf whistle of high acidity and pungent fruit with a piercing green tomato or herbaceous note! Both 2015 and 2014, however, are delicious, and are textured – rich and multi-layered, like those sheets of semi-transparent hand-made paper that have threads of wood fibre and pressed flowers in them, an effect that is achieved by fermenting in old barrels (we were told he just use 7 to 8 % of this juice, worked using wild yeast). On nose, the jasmine-scented 2015 gives an even more definitive nose of yellow peach and stone fruit(mandarin, melon). The 2014, on the other hand, stands the musky and meaty tones out. On finish, both have lots of lemon and lime character presiding over nuances of lightly browned toast, white/orange blossoms and coriander seed. The 2014 was long gone, with the 2015 on hand, you can stop the clock, bring on a platter of oysters on the half shell, cook yourself a bisquey seafood risotto, or sizzle a pan full of king prawns and pour a glass Greywacke 2015 for yourself. And you are set.
Greywacke 2015 is consistently well-like by Antonio Galloni(91), WineEnthusiast(91) and WineFront(91). It is very consistent. A la style St Clair with more advanced and teritiary tones, Greywake 2014 has been awarded a stunning 95 Points by our respected teacher Bob Campell, a 93 by Raymond Chan who always writes very detailed notes. It is also a WS93, WA91(can’t believe this low). Rebecca Gibb, MW, one good classmate of mine, ranks Greywacke 2014 one of 10 Best Wines from New Zealand.
WE91. This wine captures the passion fruit notes typical of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, then underscores them with a silky textural element. Hints of white nectarine and celery stalk add nuance to the long, white-grapefruit-inflected finish.
ST91. (100% done in stainless steel): Pale, bright yellow. Very ripe stone fruit and pineapple aromas are lifted by flowers, dusty brown spices and anise. Plush, round and slightly sweet, but with nicely integrated acidity giving shape to the peach, grapefruit, white pepper and nutmeg flavors. Wonderfully generous, fine-grained wine with a light touch and superb rising length. The wine's tactile finishing notes of dusty stone and ginger leave the salivary glands humming. In a distinctly ripe style but a beauty. Drinking window: 2016-2019. Score - 91. (Stephen Tanzer, vinous.com, Feb. 2016)
