SCARECROW SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 

93 Points - Wine Orbit 'aromas of green apple, nectarine, rockmelon, and lime zest. The palate shows excellent fruit intensity and vibrancy, splendidly supported by crisp acidity, making it flavoursome and mouth-watering.'  Each vintage, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes are the first grapes to ripen in the vineyard. The  scarecrow is still used as an effective deterrent to the local grape-loving birds and has also lent its name  to our famous Sauvignon Blanc.  Vineyard: 85% is from the Battunga vineyard at Kuitpo in the Adelaide Hills which was  planted by Bec's father, Geoff Hardy, in the 1990s. The other 15% is sourced from the  Lower Tintara vineyard in McLaren Vale, these vines were planted by Bec's great great-great-grandfather, Thomas Hardy, in the 1880s. Kuitpo is around 2.5degC cooler  than McLaren Vale (average) and generally 2-3wks later ripening.   Soils: The Battunga Sauvignon Blanc is in a valley on alluvial clay from the Holocene.  The Lower Tintara vineyard is on sandy loam soils called Maslin Sands, which are some  of the oldest soils in McLaren Vale, aged between 34 and 56 million years old.  Harvest Date:  29 February (Battunga) and 14 February (Lower Tintara)  Winemaking: The grapes were harvested and delivered to the winery at night to  ensure the fruit arrives cool and fresh. Immediate pressing after crushing with minimal  skin contact. We aim for a light touch in the winery in order to let the fruit tell the story.  The generous palate weight and flavour intensity is a reflection of the 100+ year old  McLaren Vale vines while the Adelaide Hills fruit offers varietal aromatics and acid. Cold  stainless steel fermentation is followed by early blending and bottling to retain varietal  freshness.  Nose: Lifted varietal aromatics of grapefruit and cut grass on the nose  Palate:  This wine is a fresh and elegant combination of zesty citrus fruits and long  mineral acidity.    Cellaring: Drink now