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The name Long Boat is a tribute to those Polynesian explorers who reached New Zealand over 800 years ago in long boats made to travel across thousands of miles of turbulent ocean. Inspired by their story of risking all for a new world, Long Boast Winery moves past the conventional Marlborough viticulture practices on the Wairau flats. Instead, the focus is on high-elevation vineyards south of Wairau Valley in the exposed, windswept ridges of the more remote awatere and Waihopai Valleys where it is amazing any fruit could ripen in the harsh climate of these rugged, barren hills.
Five certified-sustainable vineyards are situated at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. The clay-loam and sandy soils with white stone shingle throughout deep layers are poor to naturally retard vine vigor and restrict yeilds. Combined with the wind lashed conditions of the hills, and big day to night temperature swings to ensure ripeness and firm acidity, the results are the development of intense and complex flavors!
2008 offered long, sunshine-filled days allowing the vines to acheive slow, sonsistent ripening. Winemaker Craig Murphy slects fruit row by row, picking some blocks early and some later to balance acid and develop byth green fruit and tropical fruit flavors. A slow, cold, 3 to 4 week fermentation of free-run juice in stainless steel promotes vibrancy and freshness. A small portion (8%) was fermented in 62 galllon used oak barrels to add spice, mitigate the herbal character and promote middle palate length.
Full nose showing topical passion fruit, pineapple and some stone fruits with some green aplle and just a touch of resh grass in the pungent style that defines Marlborough. An outstanding intensity on the palate, explodes with refreshing lemon-lime and tropical fruits enhanced by well-balanced acidity and finishes with a long and clean!
This is the perfect, ok...quintessential raw oyster wine!!
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