Country: New Zealand  Region: Marlborough  Vintage: 2018   Category: White Wine  Color:  White Producer: Kim Crawford "Kim Crawford Wines was established in late 1996, when Kim and Erica Crawford launched two wines made from fruit grown in Marlborough. The Crawfords sold the company to Constellation in 2005 and subsequently handed the reins over to the Constellation winemaking team, led by chief winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst, who had trained under Kim.Despite Kim Crawford no longer being involved with these wines, the current winemakers and viticulturalists continue the classic Crawford philosophy and style. Control over grape supply has always been essential and Constellation continues to maintain good contracts with growers in the region, ensuring consistency of quality and style.Kim Crawford is renowned for their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which is blended from over 200 separate batches from their own extensive vineyard holdings and from growers throughout the Wairau, Awatere, Blind River, Waihopai and Omaka Valleys. The age range of the vines (from 3 to 15 years) brings a mix of youthful exuberance, fruit and depth of flavour to the wine.In selected vintages Kim Crawford release their Small Parcels 'Spitfire' Sauvignon Blanc, named in commemoration of the fighter aircraft based in Blenheim during World War II. Spitfire is often from just one vineyard, selected as the most intense flavour of the vintage. Since 2011 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has been a blend of selected Marlborough and Central Otago sites, giving Anthony a greater range of flavour profiles to work with to deliver Kim Crawford's signature red berry and spice notes." Product Features: Sustainable Winemaker: Anthony Walkenhorst Vineyards: The grapes for this wine were chosen predominantly from vineyards in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys in Marlborough. The cool evenings and long days were ideal conditions for flavour development. Vinification: The fruit was machine harvested in the cool evenings and overnight to preserve flavours. Gentle pressing was followed by cold settling prior to racking to tank for fermentation. Each block was kept separate throughout the various stages of the winemaking process. When all tanks had completed ferment the parcels were tasted and the pick of the wines were blended, fined, stabilised and bottled. Tasting Notes: Pale straw with green tinges. A bouquet of intense citrus fruit with mandarin orange and floral notes. The palate is crisp and fresh with lime characters and a hint of confected lemons. Food Suggestion: A refreshing apéritif. Well-suited to seafood and white meats. Loves the challenge of a touch of spice. Closure: Stelvin  ABV:11%   Acidity [g/l]: 9.3