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Wednesday, July 11th, 2024

A WINE SPECTATOR TOP 20 SHOO-IN (JUST LIKE GREYWACKE!)

2023 Craggy Range "Te Muna"

Single Vineyard Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc

• Serves as a benchmark ambassador for New Zealand's highest-quality wines made

• Critical acclaim: consistently outstanding (90+) scores, exceeding competitors in all categories, vintage after vintage

• Exclusively crafts single-vineyard, terroir-driven wines



• Insanely delicious and complex yet priced so low it looks like a typo. Simple as that.

Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997 by Australians Terry and Mary Peabody. After owning and managing fine dining and bistro establishments in both Australia and North America, they made the decision to go in to the wine business as a family. But where? It was a meeting in Paris with Baron Eric Rothschild - of Chateau Lafite renown - that proved to be the defining moment for Mary and Terry. They had a question for the patriarch of the famous French house. If Eric was expanding his empire, where would he establish his new world winery? "New Zealand," Eric answered. 

Within New Zealand, Terry had already noted the country's exceptional climate, the youth of the wine industry and the pioneering spirit of the people aligned with his own philosophy and desire to cut a different path. His ambition was not merely to buy into an existing vineyard or to emulate the greatest examples of wine styles in the world - it was bolder. He wanted to create new benchmarks with wines that would become internationally known as the New World classics.

Named by Wine Enthusiast magazine as New World Winery of the Year for 2014, here's what Vinous Media's reviewer Rebecca Gibb, MW, recently had to say about this winery:

"Since the early 1990s, Australia-based American-born owner Terry Peabody has made Craggy Range one of the most aspirational wine brands in New Zealand, with its classy packaging, polished wines and slick cellar door experience. Its home is Hawke's Bay...A new winemaker started in 2019; expect Julian Grounds to provide a more terroir-driven, less “made” expression going forward. The Martinborough vineyards on the challenging Te Muna Road invariably impress."

Based on the single vineyard philosophy of winemaking, Craggy Range was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to make single vineyard wines from multiple New Zealand regions with grape varieties matched to place. The Te Muna Sauv Blanc comes from grapes grown on the lower terrace at Te Muna Road, and shows a unique level of texture and complexity. The cooler climate of Martinborough ensures the wine is aromatic with steely minerality while the rocky soils gives intensity to the fruit.

This is such a complex and delicious white that sells for song. Enjoy friends!

Cheers,

—James Tran

2023 Craggy Range "Te Muna" Single-Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Martinborough, New Zealand

94 Points - Wine Spectator: 

Fresh and precise, with lime, mango and passion fruit notes that are accented by crunchy sea salt, litsea oil, dried chamomile and fresh lemon zest on a mouthwatering, fleshy frame. Drink now. 

94 Points - Bob Campbell, MW: 

"Green, grassy sauvignon with impressive concentration and a pleasingly rich texture. Like Marlborough sauvignon on steroids. Green capsicum, tomato leaf, saline/ oyster shell and restrained passionfruit flavours."

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast: 

Vibrant lime and tropical fruit are in the lead on this aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, with some subtle jalapeño pepper and herbal nuances tucked beneath. The palate offers lovely textural appeal that tempers the citrusy crunch of acidity. There's nice fruit concentration to the long finish.

91 Points - James Suckling:

"Flowery with aniseed and licorice. Some subtle lemons. Medium to light body, dry, lovely fruit and a subtle and fine finish. Well done for the vintage. Drink now.” (Oct 2023)

Winery: $30.00

Napa Winery Exchange: $28.00

Our Prices:

$22.97 (1-11)

$21.97 (12+)