The 2020 Sauvignon Semillon is always a little unusual at first on the nose, offering up a distinctive aroma of perm mixture, struck match and flowers and the 2020 is no different. It's likely the result of fermenting cloudy juice with wild yeast. The palate is dry with plenty of extract and a sense of innate power within a honed core. It is firm and focused with texture and weight thanks to the Semillon portion (30%). The Semillon ferments in oak puncheons and is left for 10 months on lees, while half of the Sauvignon Blanc matures on skins for more than 6 months. This is a complex, layered white Bordeaux blend. It may be interesting to see how this one cellars. Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

Region: Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Grape Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

Critic Rating: Vinous 92 Points

Suggested Drink Window: 2023 - 2029