Meltwater by Corofin Sauvignon Blanc 2024

“Meltwater is a new collection of small batch organic wines with texture and interest … No formula here, just deliciously crisp and pure wines that express everything we love about Marlborough. The wines are named for the glacial meltwaters of the last ice age, which flowed from the high country of Marlborough, depositing sedimentary rock material as they criss-crossed the valleys below.” —Mike & Anna Paterson, Corofin

Accolades:
91/100 – James Suckling (2023 vintage)

Tasting Note: Eminently dry and clean. Ripe citrus and stone fruit are moderated by eight months on lees in tank lending balance, texture and immense drinkability. Our 2024 growing season was significantly marked by a change in weather pattern from La Nina (sometimes wet/cooler) to a strong El Nino (typically hot/dry). From September (budburst) to March (harvest), central Marlborough recorded ~160 ml of rain, which is less than half the long term average for this period, in combination with a lift in sunshine hours of approximately 12% above average. Compounding was the effect of a very dry winter, early season frosts and an extended, less than ideal flowering period. These variables combined to reduce potential crop estimates by 40% on average. Ultimately everything pointed to a very early harvest, which played out with superb weather from December 2023 through March 2024. Meltwater Sauvignon was harvested nearly three weeks earlier than in 2023, in superb condition with fully flavour-ripe organic fruit.

Winemaking Notes: Harvested 24th and 25th March 2024 from two BioGro certified blocks in the central Wairau and Omaka Valley’s. Grapes were gently pressed and the juice underwent a long, cool ferment through to dryness, in small stainless steel tanks. Wine remained on lees through winter and was racked and allowed to settle in tank with a light filtration prior to bottling in December 2024.

Certification: Organic

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand