2023 Deep Down Wines SB Single Vineyard Marlborough

Region: Marlborough < New Zealand

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming with biodynamic practices; winery certified organic; silt soils over gravel; fermented in stainless steel, allowed to complete natural malolactic fermentation, then raised in a mix of old wood and stainless steel; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal So2; 12% ABV

Winemaker:  Clive Dougall

NEW VINTAGE!!  Deep Down Wines is a project from biodynamic wine veteran Clive Dougall, president of the New Zealand organic wine growers association.  He explains the difference between his wine and your average NZ SB: "The pristine fruit comes from Murrays Vineyard, at the base of the hillside offering silt soils over gravels. Most SB is grown on gravel, known locally as Greywacke stones, and these produce high acid wines with high tone aromatics. Silt soils offer grapes with more restraint, a softer texture (slightly talc-y), and more subdued aromatics. Organic fruit which typically ripens two weeks earlier than conventional, and offers more fruit concentration at lower alcohol. Re., winemaking, a number of local producers offer a reserve wine that is wild fermented but we are the only outfit we know who employs a wild ferment for their standard Marlborough SB. This is both conventional and organic producers. I know, ridiculous! Also, we let the SB work through malo which is unheard of -everyone here protects the fruit, yet our aim is to tone down."

So whereas most SB from this area is dialed up way past 11, almost blinding you with those intense flavors (you know, the cat pee, grass, jalapeno, grapefruit, etc.), the Deep Down approach is to ‘turn the volume down’ so that no single character shouts out and demands attention.  Because they believe that the balance of fruit/acid is key
to enjoyment and digestibility. We couldn't agree more, and love that you get the classic NZ terroir in this wine, but it isn't one-dimensional or overwhelming.  It smells lovely and aromatic, tropical fruit and basil. The palate has texture (but not oak or excessive gloss), with classic SB notes of gooseberry and grapefruit along with green herb notes and balanced acidity.  If you're a zippy mouth-puckering Sauv Blanc fan, this is the pinnacle.