96 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2024 Otira Glacial Stones Sauvignon Blanc is just such a fantastic wine. I love it every year. Mineral tension, poise and elongated shape are the hallmarks of this wine. The wine has a smell of fresh sheets, crisp, crushed shells, white spice and ocean air. I appreciate the length and stretch of this wine—it fully extends and lingers, and there is a textural pulsing and undulation. It is truly excellent. 2024 was a warm vintage and produced wines of amplitude and volume, yet here the terroir has compressed the fruit into its own shape. So, with the coupling of the season and the terroir, we have this. It's a triumph among triumphs. The numbers of this wine are mad/impressive to behold: very low pH (2.97), a good level of total acidity (6.5) and 14% alcohol. Years of high-density planting and organic management (since 2010, certified 2013) in this place has enabled a wine of balance to achieve these numbers.
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
This French-owned biodynamic estate had a rebrand in 2023. Otira, grown on glacial river stones, is part of a new single vineyard range that shows a layer of complexity above your everyday Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe lime and pink grapefruit mingle with yeasty apple flesh, peach, white florals, subtle dried herbs and a stony mineral note. Still young, there’s a big lift of tingly acidity on the palate. But it’s balanced by generous texture and flavor, the lime essence lingering long on the finish.
Winemaker Notes
Ripe aromatics with a delicate expression; elderflower and clover honey adds complexity to the lemonade apple flavours which bloom across the gently pithy, dry palate. Finishing elegantly, 2024 offers finesse, focus and freshness with a cool, citrusy acidity.
