From the stones
Famous for its sauvignon blancs, Stoneleigh now offers six variations.
The Stoneleigh brand, launched by Corbans in 1986 and today owned by Pernod Ricard NZ, is famous for sauvignon blanc. The name comes from the stones strewn across the vineyards, planted in an ancient riverbed, which are the home of some of Marlborough’s oldest sauvignon blanc vines.
There are now six versions on the market. The huge-volume Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc flows from the relatively warm Rapaura area, on the north side of the Wairau Valley, which produces a ripely flavoured style of sauvignon blanc, yet retains good acidity and vigour.
Other bottlings include Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, designed, say the winemakers, as a “full-on style” with “big aromatics”; Stoneleigh Lighter Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, “25% lighter in alcohol”; Stoneleigh Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, fermented with indigenous rather than cultured yeasts; and Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which is labelled “the absolute best of Stoneleigh”.
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
This powerful wine was partly fermented in large oak cuves. Weighty and sweet-fruited, it has ripe, tropical-fruit flavours, deep and dry, that build to a lasting finish. Currently delicious, it’s a classic example of the mid Wairau Valley style. (14.5% alc/vol) $25
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Estate grown at Rapaura, this bright, light-lemon/green wine is fresh and full-bodied, with strong, ripe, passionfruit/ lime flavours that are showing good depth and vigour and a crisp finish. (13.5% alc/vol) $20
Stoneleigh Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Certified organic, this characterful wine is enjoyable from the start. Full-bodied and lively, it has fresh, tropical-fruit flavours to the fore, gentle herbaceous notes and good concentration. (13.5% alc/vol) $20
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
“Wild fermented by the microflora that occur naturally in the Rapaura environment,” according to the label, this light-yellow/ green wine is fleshy and smooth, with ripe, passionfruit-like flavours showing good depth. Ready now. (14% alc/vol) $18
Stoneleigh Lighter Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Fresh, light and tangy, this riesling-like wine has lemon and green-apple flavours. Nearly three times sweeter than the classic Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it offers very easy drinking. (9.5% alc/vol) $17 ▮