This is the third vintage of our Elsa wine and we feel we’re making progress with the style. In the search for more complexity of aroma and flavour, we’re now picking the Sauvignon Blanc riper. The original “Elsa” in 2019 contained 12.7% alcohol but in 2020 we upped this to 13.9% and felt that vintage had more depth and we continue this theme in 2021, with 13.5%.

With the higher level of ripeness comes a more interesting nose. Although Sauvignon Blanc has a terrific freshness, courtesy of the gooseberry and grassy notes, too much of this leaves the wine a bit one-dimensional. By picking at higher sugar levels, these are enhanced by lychee, pear, and passionfruit. Perhaps more importantly, the higher alcohol brings a much richer texture to the palate, something we see as important in balancing the variety’s naturally high acidity.