Reconstructing Superior Sauvignon Blanc

A legendary winemaker pioneers a revolution in Sauvignon Blanc

"Kevin, you may 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, who was one of the founding members of the prestigious Cloudy Bay winery and led the winemaking process for 30 years, has been a driving force behind the rapid development of New Zealand wine. Now a legend in the New Zealand wine world, he has launched his own winery, Greywacke .

During his time at Cloudy Bay, he developed Te Koko, which uses wild yeast and barrel fermentation, with the mission of "making a higher-class Sauvignon Blanc." The wine, which is different from the traditional NZ style of sharp and refreshing, has a profound feeling and complexity like 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 put your nose close to the glass, you are greeted with a complex, rich aroma that is clearly different from the typical Marlborough aromas of passion fruit and grapefruit.

• Aroma: Lychee, mango, white flowers, herbs such as thyme, and hints of sandalwood-like incense.
• Taste: The fresh fruitiness of Meyer orange and gooseberry is layered with an oily texture. The aftertaste is long-lasting with a mineral feeling with a pleasant saltiness.

The aroma of the barrel is not too assertive, and the fruit is the main flavor. However, it does not end simply with a fruity taste, but rather has a rich flavor and minerality that lingers on for a very long time in the aftertaste. I think it has a very three-dimensional flavor. This is truly a "next level" Sauvignon Blanc.

Showing new possibilities for Marlboro, world-class quality

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 a perfect example of a "high-end Sauvignon Blanc" that is used in top restaurants. And it shows the way for this region to be even more loved. In that sense, I think this wine can be called revolutionary.

And its worldwide reputation is a testament to 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 craftsmanship

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, after which it is slowly fermented in old French barriques using only wild yeasts for over six months. Fermentation takes place in wooden barrels, and the wine is then aged in stainless steel tanks for another six months on the lees.

This means that unlike Te Koko, which he developed himself, this wine is not aged in barrels at all. Instead of relying on the fragrant aroma of oak, this wine focuses on maximizing the complexity and flavor brought by wild yeast.

About the Maker: Kevin Judd, a craftsman at heart

Kevin is a winemaker and a professional photographer. His impression is that of a true "craftsman." He is not eloquent, but his work shows that he is deeply connected to nature. When we met in Marlborough, he personally guided us around the Southern Valley vineyards, where the "graywacke" (gray sandstone) from which the winery is named spreads.

On the other hand, his wife Kimberly is very cheerful and sociable. The couple also attended a maker's dinner we held in Nagoya some time ago, which was a truly luxurious evening for me.

Recommended pairings

This wild Sauvignon pleasantly defies the preconceived notion that NZ Sauvignon Blanc is a light, fruity wine. Its complex flavors make it a great match for 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 shows new possibilities for Marlborough, and at the same time seems to reflect the person of its winemaker, Kevin Judd.

About the Winery "Greywacki"

GREYWACKE was founded in 2009 by Kevin Judd, president of Cloudy Bay, one of New Zealand's leading wineries.

Cloudy Bay is the most important winery in the New Zealand wine world, which has made New Zealand wine known to the world. In particular, the unique taste of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has shocked wine lovers around the world. This taste can only be found in Marlborough, no matter where in the world, and Cloudy Bay's taste has been praised as being particularly excellent.

Kevin Judd has been the head wine brewer and has been responsible for the quality of the wine for many years. He can be considered one of the great figures in the New Zealand wine world , having been the driving force behind attracting worldwide attention to New Zealand wine.

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

The brand name "Greywacke" is named after the sedimentary rock "Greywacke" that is popular in New Zealand, and 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 more than 80% of New Zealand's wine is produced there.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, is produced in overwhelming quantities and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In addition, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular among red wines.

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2022

item	Content
Winery Name	Graywacky
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape variety	Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage	2022
Alcohol content	13.5 %
capacity	750ml
remarks	Screw Cap

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