Hans Herzog Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2018

From the heart of Marlborough but a world apart. Handcrafted in tiny quantities for an incomparable artisan Sauvignon. Untamed, with long skin contact for complexity and texture, natural fermentation in barrel without any additions and many months on the fine lees for its famous silkiness. Dry and explosively rich, the pinnacle of a stately Sauvignon Blanc. 'Gently destemmed with partly whole berries. Long, cold maceration to extract the wonderful flavours from the skins. After gentle pressing, the wine embarked upon a natural wild yeast fermentation directly in 500 litre French oak puncheons (30% new). The young wine was left on its pure lees, which was regularly stirred during the first three months, responsible for the exquisite silkiness, complexity and depth. After 18 month of maturation in the barrels, we bottled this nectar with no cold stabilization or fining and only light filtration to retain the beautiful aromas. Natural sediments may show but do not impact on the high quality of this natural wine.' This completely dry wine is explosively rich and impressively textured with the elegance and refinement of a stately Sauvignon Blanc. It brings intense minerality and texture from the gravelly soils to match the exotic fruit aromas. Ripe candied peel, elderflower blossom, fresh quince and melon on the nose. The oak is successfully integrated in the creamy texture. Enormous length stimulates the palate and keeps the mouth watering throughout. Great purity, leaving a refreshing but weighted mouth with great vigour and persistence from start to finish. - Hans Herzog