Ranga Ranga - Sauvignon Blanc - 2023

$20.99

Ranga Ranga is Maori for gentle breeze, and the breeze is the whole point. This is Simon and Vanessa Barker's early-picked Sauvignon Blanc from Blind River, a cool coastal site in Marlborough's Awatere Valley about a mile from the sea. All Sauvignon Blanc, fermented cold in stainless steel at 10 degrees Celsius to hold the aromatics. Twelve and a half percent alcohol. Crisp, zesty, and the crunchy end of Marlborough.

Key lime and cut grass on the nose, then dried herbs, a little smoke, wet stone underneath. Juicy sweet lime and passion fruit lead the palate. Briny jalapeno through the middle. Light-bodied, flinty, crisp finish.

Classic matches for Sauvignon Blanc: Goat cheese, oysters, green salads, anything with fresh herbs.

Barker's Marque is Simon and Vanessa Barker's Waverley estate at Blind River, in the cooler Awatere Valley. They researched soil and climate before planting one contiguous vineyard in 2004 and 2005. Heavy clay holds water for the roots. Constant sea wind means less disease pressure and fewer treatments.