Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

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Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

The natural beauty of the Nautilus shell has inspired our expressive, balanced, precisely crafted wines since 1985, the early days of Marlborough winegrowing.  Back then there were only 80 NZ wineries. Today there are nearly 700. Yet we remain small, family-owned, and committed to the stunningly beautiful Marlborough region.

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Wine Production

Grapes were machine-harvested at night then fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to give fresh aromas. Some of the fermentations were started with non-saccharomyces yeasts for texture and complexity, with the remainder using aromatic yeasts giving aromatic intensity.  The wine was kept on lees for five months providing creaminess and integrated flavours.

Tasting Notes

Nautilus Estate produces serious Sauvignon Blanc, with site selection offering complex and age-worthy wines. Low yields give intense flavors and palate length, and lees-aging contributes creamy palate weight.

Food Pairing

The high acidity and fresh flavors pair well with a wide range of seafood and vegetarian dishes. The flavor intensity can stand up to some chilli and the herb notes in the wine compliment Thai ingredients such as basil or lemongrass.

The natural beauty of the Nautilus shell has inspired our expressive, balanced, precisely crafted wines since 1985, the early days of Marlborough winegrowing.  Back then there were only 80 NZ wineries. Today there are nearly 700. Yet we remain small, family-owned, and committed to the stunningly beautiful Marlborough region.

All Products →

Wine Production

Grapes were machine-harvested at night then fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to give fresh aromas. Some of the fermentations were started with non-saccharomyces yeasts for texture and complexity, with the remainder using aromatic yeasts giving aromatic intensity.  The wine was kept on lees for five months providing creaminess and integrated flavours.

Tasting Notes

Nautilus Estate produces serious Sauvignon Blanc, with site selection offering complex and age-worthy wines. Low yields give intense flavors and palate length, and lees-aging contributes creamy palate weight.

Food Pairing

The high acidity and fresh flavors pair well with a wide range of seafood and vegetarian dishes. The flavor intensity can stand up to some chilli and the herb notes in the wine compliment Thai ingredients such as basil or lemongrass.

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Download Bottle Shot Download Acclaim Linkout
92
POINTS
“This is pungent, sure, but not in a Band Aid way. There’s some struck match characters but they’re padded into the waxy citrus, stone-fruit and summer veg garden aromas. This producer is a master of texture, as demonstrated here by the creamy mouthfeel, with a citrus pith and herbal through line and a great crunch of acidity that makes this a food friendly drop.” (Best Buy)
Wine Enthusiast
91
POINTS
Aromas of lemon confit, passion-fruit curd and grilled pineapple. The palate is light-bodied with fine acidity, giving notes of gooseberries, blueberry bush and guavas. Polished and pure.
James Suckling
91
POINTS
The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is restrained, classy and detailed, with cassis, juniper, quinine, white pineapple and green apple skin. It's classy to the end. It has soft acidity but enough to keep it feeling fresh and good. Recommended.
Wine Advocate
89
POINTS
Lemon thyme, basil and fresh lemon-lime flavors, plus a touch of pomelo, are harmonious and plump on a juicy frame. Notes of peach and candied ginger linger on the finish.
Wine Spectator
89
POINTS
Lemon thyme, basil and fresh lemon-lime flavors, plus a touch of pomelo, are harmonious and plump on a juicy frame. Notes of peach and candied ginger linger on the finish.
Wine Spectator
16.5
Highly distinctive creamy aroma – still recognisably Sauvignon Blanc but more complex, less herbal, more grapefruit than passion fruit and a hint of creamy spice. Full in the mouth and despite the very high acidity, there's green-fruited roundness on the finish. A hint of sweet sour but not as extreme as many NZ Sauvignons in this respect. As much depth as length and gently chewy on the finish.
Jancis Robinson

Vineyard & Production Info

Soil composition:
Stony
Training method:
Cane-pruned
Vines/acre:
880
Exposure:
Northern
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
1985
Bottles produced of this wine:
330,000
Average Vine Age:
20
Certified Vineyards:
All vineyards certified under Sustainable winegrowing New Zealand
Certifying Organizations:
New Zealand Winegrowers
Sustainability Certification:
SWNZ

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
21 days
Fermentation temperature:
55 °F
Maceration technique:
Sur-Lie Aging
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling:
5 months
Total SO2:
91

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.05
Acidity:
6.9 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Dry extract:
22.6 g/L
Total SO2:
91
Residual sugar:
3.95 g/L

About the Vineyard

Nautilus Sauvignon is sourced from free-draining stony soils, giving low cropping, low vigour, early ripening vines, great flavour development every year and serious, age-worthy wines.  A blend of sites adds layers of complexity.

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