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The crossings winemaker Matt Mitchell names Marlborough, New Zealand
vintage 2007 the ‘Houdini of Harvests”
(with the release of The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2007)
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Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand – December 12, 2007 – The Crossings winemaker, Matt Mitchell, has developed a reputation as a bit of a wordsmith and if you saw some of his proposed back label copy you would understand why. So it comes as no surprise that a vintage could be described as the “Houdini of harvests.”
For the curious, Matt used such inventive descriptors because the 2007 vintage was in turns unpredictable and varied yet ultimately a very successful Marlborough vintage. Frost during flowering reduced yields, allowing a smaller crop to benefit from the long and even growing season. While January and February posted moderate temperatures, a very warm March, (the New Zealand summer’s hottest month), finalised the development and flavour intensity that had steadily built in the grape bunches throughout the growing season. The vintage overcame the earlier challenge of cooler weather delivering fruit defined by riper characters and intensity achieved at lower sugar levels. This vintage is very well suited to the minerality and restraint of the Awatere Valley subregion, the home of The Crossings estate owned vineyards.
Refinements in viticultural approach and vinification, of Sauvignon Blanc, were made and are evident in the 2007 wine. Viticulture centred on nurturing fruit picked at the lowest viable brix levels, while retaining the quintessentially Marlborough profile of herbaceousness and high-toned fruit underpinned by ripe, yet prominent acidity.
In the winery, the new wine sat on yeast-lees, for three weeks, without stirring or sulphur treatment and was kept at a higher temperature than previously practiced. Matt believes these changes have resulted in a more complete wine of enhanced dimension.
This month sees the release of The Crossings Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, from the superb 2007 vintage.
“The improvements that we are making in the winery as well as being backed by (in our opinion) a superior fruit source to start with makes our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc the best yet,” remarked winemaker, Matt Mitchell.
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About The Crossings
The Crossings was founded by a group of wine lovers who dreamed of crafting outstanding wines from grapes grown in the picturesque Awatere Valley in the Marlborough region at the north eastern tip of the South Island of New Zealand. Their dream was realized in 2001 with the first vintage of The Crossings. Today, with three superb vineyards producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a state-of-the-art winery, The Crossings wines have an enviable reputation for quality in several of the world’s most discerning markets.
Quick facts:
SRP: $15.99US
Importer: W.J. Deutsch and Sons, Ltd, White Plains, NY
Availability: National
Release date: December 12, 2007
For samples please contact April Klazema.
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CONTACT:
April Klazema
W. J. Deutsch & Sons
914-251-3216
April.Klazema@wjdeutsch.com
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