Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc

Since 1984, Cape Crest has developed an international following for its unique expression of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel fermented, with a touch of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris, it is concentrated and complex with toast, citrus blossom, pear and stonefruit characters.

Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.

Winemaker notes

2022: Radiating a mesmerizing white-gold hue adorned with shimmering green lights, Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc ’22 bursts with its signature perfume – vibrant concentrated nectarine, grapefruit and lime zest with lemongrass, guava and subtle toast notes. The attack broadens into ripe stone fruit and herbal seasoning, developing remarkable richness across the length of the palate. A balanced weight and crystalline acidity add to the immense fruit concentration and long savoury, saline finish. An embodiment of excellence. Is this the best Cape Crest yet? Certainly, it’s the most complex and complete.

2022

Wine Advocate 95: The 2022 Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc is composed and tight. It's such a pretty wine. In terms of its ilk, it aligns perhaps with the 2011. I like it so much. This is an elegant and quiet iteration of this wine, with flowering herbs, crushed shells, chalk, a hint of aniseed and crushed nuts. It's a gorgeous wine with a long future in front of it. Interestingly, while I believe this will age gracefully, it is such a controlled and cool wine now that I would suggest that drinking it at any interval would allow it to show its pedigree. Super. The wines are better at the younger end of this vertical than the beginning, which is a great thing for the winery—and an even better thing for us, the drinkers.

Vinous 91: The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Cape Crest is a generous, textural expression with a slightly saline edge on the mouthwatering finish. Well-integrated vanillins combine with blackcurrant, nectarine, red grapefruit and a hint of gooseberry flavors to provide a rarely seen side of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc – no doubt the addition of Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris play their part. This is attractive and judiciously made.