Settlement Heritage Sauvignon Blanc 2024

From one of Marlborough’s oldest Sauvignon Blanc sites, the Heritage Vineyard was planted in 1990 to the UDD1 MS clone, now over 35 years in the ground. Located at the southern end of the Wairau Valley on free-draining silty clay loam over clay subsoil, a profile shaped by centuries of Wairau River flooding across the valley floor.

Whole bunch pressed to tank. The majority fermented in stainless steel, with 15% handled separately in seasoned French oak where extended lees contact adds texture and weight.

“A bold bouquet and palate with a big story of fresh citrus and fried herb then pomaceous fruits of apple and pear then grapefruit and fresh sage. Weighty, satin touch then a rush of acidity and white spice, fresh citrus and orchard fruits, jalapeno and lychee nut. Well made, very expressive and delicious. Best drinking from 2025 through 2030+.” – 94 pts – Cameron Douglas

“Grainy, dry texture with hints of sweet floral notes over ripe apple and even honeysuckle. Good definition here with crispness but also mid-palate density. Long finish with chalky interest.” – 93 pts – Stephen Wong

“The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is savory and tightly coiled, the acidity prodigious and the phenolics shapely. There is a lemongrass, reed character to the mid-palate that is an attractive offset to the naturally tropical fruit that comes so easily to the Sauvignon Blancs of Marlborough. This has class. I like the producer, and I like the vineyard too. Settlement Wines is a member of the Appellation Marlborough Wine group (AMW). This comes from a single vineyard that was planted in 1990 in the Wairau Valley on free-draining silt clay loam. It’s from Clone UCD1 MS, on a Scott Henry trellis, and 15% fermented wild. It was bottled unfined.” – 92 pts – Erin Larkin – The Wine Advocate