Wine: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

Designation: Marlborough

Brand/Producer: Kim Crawford

Grape Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 12%

Type: White

Code: 2087

Tasting Note

Bright, pale lemon-green. Citrus and tropical fruit aromas are backed by the characteristic herbaceous notes that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is renowned for. A lively wine on the palate brimming with flavours of pineapple, passionfruit, stonefruit and a hint of herbaceousness carries through to a fresh, zesty and lingering finish.

Producer

Kim Crawford was launched in 1996 in a small home in Auckland, New Zealand. With incredible speed, Kim Crawford’s powerful, aromatic wines began winning awards and gained a devoted, even fanatical, following.

Only two years after launch, Kim Crawford Wines began exporting to the United States. Within four years, the company moved into a state-of-the-art winery in Marlborough and began looking at vineyards to purchase and cultivate.

Just six years after these humble beginnings, Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc made the 2003 Wine Spectator's Top 100 List to roaring acclaim

Winemaking

The vineyards of Kim Crawford are located in outstanding, predominantly coastal sites. The grapes benefit from long days, clean sea breezes and crisp nights. In combination with New Zealand’s long and dry autumn season, the grapes ripen slowly, which allows them to build flavour intensity as well as develop a sophisticated acidity. Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Wairau Valley provided classic passion fruit and grapefruit aromas, while grapes from the Awatere Valley and Southern Valley contributed lemon, lime, and fresh herbs. 

Fun Fact

The Crawford couple founded their wine business in 1996 with a business model which was innovative at the time – virtual winemaking. They bought grapes from farmers (after assessing their viticulture techniques) and hired vinification space from wineries. They also spent a lot of time marketing their wines in North America. Over the years wineries have been built and vineyards purchased but they were considered ahead of their time in the winemaking world when they started out. And here’s another piece of trivia… customers often assume that Mrs Crawford is Kim, well she’s Erica and Mr Crawford is Kim.

Food pairing

Pairs brilliantly with fresh oysters, asparagus, lobster, or summer salads.

Awards & Accolades

Vivino 4.0

One of the only Sauvignon Blancs to be included in “Wine Spectator Top 100” 4 times

2019 Wine & Spirits Restaurant Top 10 - Sauvignon Blanc category