Get to know:Kim Crawford, Spitfire Small Parcels Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Note

A gloriously intense and pure Sauvignon from Marlborough. The wine reveals vivid, lifted aromas of tropical fruit that lead into a range of complex avours, including distinct mineral and inty notes. The combination of a satisfyingly rich palate with a juicy acidity really accentuates the texture of this characterful wine.

Try this with crab cakes or juicy langoustines.

Kate Says

“It’s great to find Marlborough Sauvignon that stands out from the crowd, and this wine hits the spot. All the flavours your expect with a satisfying intensity and minerality that helps lift it above the ordinary. I’d enjoy this with a plate of grilled langoustines.”

Producer Info

Kim Crawford Wines was established in late 1996, when Kim and Erica Crawford launched two wines made from fruit grown in Marlborough. The Crawfords sold the company to Constellation in 2005 and subsequently handed the reins over to the Constellation winemaking team, led by chief winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst, who had trained under Kim.

Despite Kim Crawford no longer being involved with these wines, the current winemakers and viticulturalists continue the classic Crawford philosophy and style. Control over grape supply has always been essential and Constellation continues to maintain good contracts with growers in the region, ensuring consistency of quality and style. One of a number of sustainability initiatives, from the 2022 vintage the winery has moved to using lightweight bottles.

Kim Crawford is renowned for their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which is blended from over 200 separate batches from their own extensive vineyard holdings and from growers throughout the Wairau, Awatere, Blind River, Waihopai and Omaka Valleys. The age range of the vines (from 5 to 20 years old) brings a mix of youthful exuberance, fruit and depth of flavour to the wine.

In selected vintages, Kim Crawford releases their Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc, named in commemoration of the World War II fighter aircraft base in Blenheim, the original site upon which vines for the first vintage of Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc were planted. Often from a single vineyard, the small parcels selected have the most intense flavour of the vintage. The Pinot Gris is sourced and blended from sites across the North and South Islands and offers a crisp, lively aromatic option with a little more body and ripeness. The Pinot Noir is a blend of Marlborough and Central Otago sites, giving Anthony a great range of flavour profiles to work with to deliver Kim Crawfords signature red berry and spice notes.