The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc bottle image
The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc bottle image

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The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc

The Paper Nautilus illustrates an alternative style to the classic expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Over 30 years’ experience with this variety have led us to favour palate weight, texture and length in the Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. The Paper Nautilus takes this one step further.

Paper Nautilus shells are wafer-thin with beautiful geometry and texture. They often wash up on secluded beaches in the Marlborough Sounds.  

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Wine Production

Juice is fermented on solids in a large French Oak Cuve, using a non-Saccaromyces yeast, giving a warmer, slower ferment, then matured on yeast lees for seven months. This translates to more subtle aromatics, but far more texture and intensity on the palate.

Tasting Notes

Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are characterised by freshacidity and aromatic intensity derived from the cool climate, high sunlight intensity and free draining soils.

Handpicking and fermenting in cuve give the Paper Nautilus Sauvignon understated aromas of citrus peel, wet stones and hazelnuts. The palate is concentrated yet subtle with a creamy texture, focused acidity and a dry lingering finish.

Food Pairing

This Sauvignon is more savoury and textural than many other Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, so try pan fried fish with fresh green beans, olive and caper sauce, or roasted white beans and fennel rather than fruity or tropical flavours.

The Paper Nautilus illustrates an alternative style to the classic expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Over 30 years’ experience with this variety have led us to favour palate weight, texture and length in the Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. The Paper Nautilus takes this one step further.

Paper Nautilus shells are wafer-thin with beautiful geometry and texture. They often wash up on secluded beaches in the Marlborough Sounds.  

All Products →

Wine Production

Juice is fermented on solids in a large French Oak Cuve, using a non-Saccaromyces yeast, giving a warmer, slower ferment, then matured on yeast lees for seven months. This translates to more subtle aromatics, but far more texture and intensity on the palate.

Tasting Notes

Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are characterised by freshacidity and aromatic intensity derived from the cool climate, high sunlight intensity and free draining soils.

Handpicking and fermenting in cuve give the Paper Nautilus Sauvignon understated aromas of citrus peel, wet stones and hazelnuts. The palate is concentrated yet subtle with a creamy texture, focused acidity and a dry lingering finish.

Food Pairing

This Sauvignon is more savoury and textural than many other Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, so try pan fried fish with fresh green beans, olive and caper sauce, or roasted white beans and fennel rather than fruity or tropical flavours.

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Download Bottle Shot Download Acclaim Linkout
93
POINTS
Full disclosure, I love this cuvée. Oak is so commonly used to express a more complex side of Sauvignon Blanc, but it is so often applied with a heavy hand. In my opinion, the oak is best applied with the desired endgame being an increase in structure, loosening of texture and complexing of character. Here, in this 2023 The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, the large-format oak has done just this. While the fruit is able to express itself fully, the oak contributes a toasty edge to the wine. The acidity is on the lemon spectrum, the fruit speaks of kiwi fruit, feijoa, white strawberries and even a hint of cassis, and everything comes together with class in the end.
Wine Advocate
92
POINTS
“This is very intense, showing lots of mineral, green-melon and lime aromas and flavors that follow through to a medium body with creamy texture and stone undertones. Complex and flinty at the end.”
James Suckling
91
POINTS
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc The Paper Nautilus is a savory, stylish Sauvignon Blanc that fermented in large barrels. Nautilus Estate’s careful handling is made clear in the glass. Its edges are round and this displays a succulent texture with lightly flinty and floral notes combined with a touch of lemon citrus. The lithe, drawn-out acidity provides precision on the finish. A little more length would be welcome, as it is rather tasty.
Vinous

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Renwick
Vineyard size:
18 acres
Soil composition:
Stony
Training method:
VSP
Elevation:
130 feet
Vines/acre:
880
Yield/acre:
4 tons
Exposure:
Northern
Year vineyard planted:
1992
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
2015
Bottles produced of this wine:
3,600
Average Vine Age:
25
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
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
20 days
Fermentation temperature:
65 °F
Maceration technique:
Sur-Lie Aging
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Oak Cuve
Size of aging container:
3000
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
6 months
Age of Aging Container:
Three years
Total SO2:
85

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.03
Acidity:
6.8 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Dry extract:
20.5 g/L
Total SO2:
85
Residual sugar:
3.2 g/L

About the Vineyard

The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from some older vines on our oldest estate-owned vineyard in Renwick. Soils are free-draining and stony, giving low cropping/low vigour vines, relatively early ripening, great flavour development every year and age-worthy wines.

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