Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2023

Reconstructed Premium Sauvignon Blanc

A legendary winemaker pioneers a revolution in Sauvignon Blanc

"Kevin, you might be starting a revolution with this Sauvignon Blanc."

This thought suddenly occurred to me when I tasted the new vintage of this wine.

Kevin Judd, a founding member of the prestigious Cloudy Bay winery , led the winemaking process for 30 years and has been a driving force behind the rapid growth of New Zealand wine. Now considered a legend in the New Zealand wine industry, he has gone independent and launched Greywacke .

During his time at Cloudy Bay, he developed Te Koko, a wine made using wild yeast and barrel fermentation, with the mission of "making a higher-class Sauvignon Blanc." This wine, which is distinct from the sharp and refreshing traditional New Zealand style, has the depth and complexity of a barrel-aged Chardonnay and has been highly praised as an ambitious work.

After independence, the style was further evolved and reconstructed to create Greywacke Wild Sauvignon.

Tasting notes: Complex, wild and unique

When you bring the glass close to your nose, you'll notice a complex and rich aroma that's clearly different from the typical passion fruit and grapefruit notes of Marlborough.

• Aroma: Lychee, mango, white flowers, herbs like thyme, and nuances of sandalwood incense.
• Taste: Refreshing fruit flavors of Meyer orange and gooseberry are layered with an oily texture. The aftertaste is long-lasting with a pleasant salty minerality.

The aroma of the barrel is not too pronounced, and the fruit is the main focus. However, it doesn't end simply with a fruity flavor; the rich umami and minerality linger for a very long time in the aftertaste. I feel that it has a very three-dimensional flavor. This is truly a "next level" Sauvignon Blanc.

World-class quality that shows new possibilities for Marlboro

This wine shows Kevin's strong determination to take Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which has a strong image of being casual, to the next level.

It has impressed professionals and presented the perfect example of a "high-end Sauvignon Blanc" that is served in top restaurants. I believe it also points the way to further increasing the love for this region. In that sense, I think this wine can be called revolutionary.

And its global reputation is proof of its quality.

• James Suckling: 94 points (2022)
• Wine Advocate: 95 points (2021), 93+ points (2009), 93 points (2012)
• Wine Enthusiast: 93 points (2021)
• Wine Spectator: Many vintages scored 92-93 points

A unique brewing philosophy that highlights artisanal skills

This unique style is born from a meticulous manufacturing process.

The fully ripe grapes are lightly pressed and the juice is allowed to settle at low temperature before being slowly fermented for over six months in old French barriques using only wild yeasts. Fermentation takes place in wooden barrels, and the wine is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for a further six months of aging on the lees.

Unlike Te Koko, which he developed himself, this wine is not aged in barrels at all. Rather than relying on fragrant oak aromas, this wine focuses on maximizing the complexity and flavor brought about by wild yeast.

About the Maker: Kevin Judd, a craftsman in touch with nature

Kevin is a winemaker and professional photographer. He truly comes across as a "craftsman." He's not eloquent, but the way he works makes it clear that he's deeply connected to nature. When we met in Marlborough, he personally showed us around the Southern Valley vineyards, where the greywacke (gray sandstone) that gives the winery its name spreads.

On the other hand, his wife, Kimberly, is very cheerful and sociable. The couple also attended a Makers Dinner I held in Nagoya some time ago, which turned out to be a truly luxurious evening for me.

Recommended pairings

This Wild Sauvignon delightfully defies the preconceived notion that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a light, fruity wine. Its complex flavors make it a wonderful pairing with a wide range of dishes.

• Slightly spicy Asian dishes (gai yang, salted pork, etc.)
• Herb grilled shrimp with coriander
• Brie cheese with white peach compote

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It is complex yet easy to drink, precise yet somehow innocent and wild.

This wine not only shows new possibilities for Marlborough, but also seems to reflect the person who made it, Kevin Judd.

About the Winery "Greywacki"

Greywacke was founded in 2009 by Kevin Judd, the founder of Cloudy Bay, one of New Zealand's leading wineries.

Cloudy Bay is undoubtedly the most important winery in the New Zealand wine industry, having made New Zealand wine known around the world. The unique flavor of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in particular has shocked wine lovers around the world. This flavor cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and Cloudy Bay's flavor has been praised as being particularly excellent.

Kevin Judd has been the winemaker for many years, and is one of the great figures in the New Zealand wine world, having helped bring New Zealand wine to the attention of the world.

At Greywacke, we are leveraging his experience to explore the possibilities of New Zealand wine through even more meticulous production methods.

The brand name "Greywacke" is named after Greywacke, a sedimentary rock that is popular in New Zealand, and it expresses the desire to become a wine that represents the country.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2023

item	Content
Winery Name	Graywacki
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape varieties	Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage	2023
Alcohol content	13.5 %
capacity	750ml
remarks	screw cap