Rapaura Springs have released their 2016 vintage update following a recent report from the New Zealand Wine Growers Association revealing an increase in exports for 2016.
New Zealand Wine Growers reported that high quality fruit was picked across the country thanks to excellent summer and early autumn weather, enabling full ripening and development as well as a plentiful harvest.
Rapaura Springs released the following report:
Our Marlborough vineyards have, once again, delivered ripe, clean fruit for the vintage 2016. The resulting wines are expressive, with lifted aromatics and an array of vibrant flavours and aromas.
The 2015 – 2016 growing season in Marlborough started slowly, the result of cooler temperatures and drought conditions for the second year running. A relatively warm late spring and summer allowed ripeness to catch up to longer-term averages by mid-March. The dry summer days were interspersed with brief, timely rain in late January and March which replenished soil moisture levels and vine canopies through to harvest. The crucial late autumn ripening period was full of dry, sunny days and cool nights, which allowed us to pick fruit showing excellent flavour development and acid balance.
With early indications of a large 2016 crop, potentially impacting wine quality, we made yield adjustments that resulted in vines being in balance and that resulted in all vineyards achieving target ripeness. With a stand out vintage 2015, collecting 5 Champion or Trophy awards for our Sauvignon Blancs, we needed to ensure the 2016 wines maintained an exceptionally high standard.
The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic and shows a lovely combination of citrus and tropical fruits, combined with herbal aspects and a zesty acidity – it is quintessential Marlborough.
The Pinot Noir has a lovely colour and nice red and black cherry aromas. The wines will reflect the core features of great Marlborough Pinot Noir with lifted aromatics, a lovely fruit vibrancy and a refined elegance. Bright expressive and poised.
All in all, our 2016 wines wonderfully reflect the pristine, pure Marlborough region, our cool climate, the expressive varietals and our best efforts. The new vintage of truly authentic Marlborough wines will be with you shortly!
Contact Rapaura Springs Brand Manager, Christine Allen, to find out more.