Taylors Pass Vineyard lies in the Awatere Valley which runs parallel and to the south of the Wairau Valley. Grapes ripen more slowly here being generally cooler and more exposed to prevailing winds leading to incredibly intense flavour development and differentiation in expression even between vineyard sites. Grown and harvested in close proximity to the Awatere River the wine echoes its character in the glass with a chalky, almost flinty mineral texture reminiscent of the wet river stones that lie nearby. The cool characteristics of this Awatere Valley site shine through with a sweet and sour tension in bright, concentrated flavours of jalapeño and lemongrass with a punchy finish of lime zest carrying itself through to a lengthy finish on the palate. This extraordinary wine truly expresses its tūrangawaewae or its sense of place and is a great place to start if exploring Single Vineyard expressions of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.