Terravin Te Ahu 2008
Wine Tasting Notes
Te Ahu is a moari term that has reference to a new generation, pathway or beginning and we hope with the Te Ahu a White blend based around Marlborough’s Iconic Sauvignon Blanc will show a different path this variety can take with low yields from selected plots and with patient winemaking. This is about definition of place rather than variety.
Fruit (100% Sauvignon Blanc) was sourced from a single vineyard in the Southern Valley's of Marlborough where the soils are layered with gravels and seams of clay. It is these complex layers and the cooler evening temperatures that give optimal growing conditions for a more complex, rich and riper styled Sauvignon Blanc.
Much lower yields contribute to a textural element to the wine that we enhance by fermenting and aging in French oak for up to 11 months.
Each year we age these special portions in barrel and while a small portion goes back to our standard Sauvignon after 4 months we then select the very best barrels to continue their 11 months maturation in oak.
Vintage Notes
Although 2008 has a reputation for being a difficult vintage it was in fact a beautiful growing year up until 2 April when Autumnal rains came and caught those who had left heavier yields on the vine. We however had lowered our yield on all varieties including our Sauvignon Blanc the result was that we had already harvested all of our fruit before these rains cane. The result is pure, clean and ripe fruit that has given us the perfect basis for making our Te Ahu. With 11 months maturing in oak and some time in the bottle this wine is mouthfilling and a unique expression of both vineyard and vintage.
Technical Data
Harvest Date:
31 March 2008
Brix at Harvest:
23.5
Winemaker:
Mike Eaton
Clones:
MS
Barrels:
D & J, Taransaud, Damy
Yeast:
3.23
Alcohol Levels:
14
Residual Sugar:
3g/l
Titratable Acid:
6.9g/l
pH Levels:
3.23
Cellaring Potential:
3-7yrs
Release Date:
May 2009