Eaton
Breezemere Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021 750ml

Breezemere vineyard was planted by Rachel and Bryn Cotching on the gentle North-facing slopes of Marama Road in the Awatere Valley. After several years of watching the vines mature and the site start to express itself more assertively; in 2020 Breezemere came of age and was ready to have a cuvee made exclusively from that vineyard. 

Yields were kept low and vines were shoot-thinned, leaf-plucked and thinned by hand. Pre-veraison 10-15% of the crop was green thinned and shoulders were removed.  2021 was one of the lowest yielding vintages since 2012 and the concentration shows on wines across all varieties. Grown in the Awatere valley, this gentle slope is protected from the cold Southerly winds and the clay bound gravels add richness and complexity while retaining great acidity and balance.

Fermentation        Wild natural fermentation, followed by 100% Malolactic fermentation after which SO2 added

Barrel work            Lees stirred at the on-set of malolactic fermentation and twice post Malolactic fermentation

Barrel Aging           11 months in 600L Demi Muid and seasoned 225L barriques     

Assemblage           After 11 months assembled to stainless steel tank for settling and minimal SO2 addition

Marriage                 Settled almost 2 months before being bottled 

1038 bottles made

2021 Eaton Breezemere Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Cameron Douglas MS         94pts  

 Aromas and flavours of ripe citrus, red apple, lemon and just ripe heirloom peaches. There’s a natural herbal quality, sweet hay and dried herb combinations. Complex, youthful and new. Flavours on the palate mirror the bouquet and are layered between textures of acidity and some fine barrel spice and lees suggestions. Balanced and well made, fleshy, salivating and gently saline qualities. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029.

Bob Campbell MW                94pts

Single vineyard sauvignon with grapefruit, ginger, toast, lemon/lime and gooseberry

varietal characters supported by fine, peppery tannins and attractive, juicy acidity. Lively wine with punchy aromatics

Vinous – Rebecca Gibb       90pts

The Breezemere Vineyard is a serious, intense, structured style with sinew that draws it out. It’s firm and fierce despite hailing from 9yr old vines. There’s masses of acidity and grip with its edges rounded by time in barrel. A real mouthful that challenges and needs more time to come around. To be released late 2023.