C J Pask Sauvignon Blanc 2000 - Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

CJ PASK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2000
The second week of March saw the commencement of vintage in earnest for C J Pask with Sauvignon Blanc. This variety was harvested over a four week period, with April 12th 2000 being its conclusion. This extended picking time allows us to capture the range of flavours that Sauvignon Blanc produces during ripening. Early picks capture lively, grassy characters, and subsequent pickings produce rich, tropical characters.
Long, cool, controlled fermentations followed to maximise fruit characters.

 C.J. Pask
TECHNICAL DATA
Soils:
Twyford stony gravels/silt loam over gravels, formed by the Ngaruroro river. Free draining, nutrient poor.
Vines:
The majority of plantings are over 14 years old, mass selection on S04 rootstock. Trained to Scott Henry or Vertical Shoot Positioned.
Vintage Conditions:
Regular rainfall in the early to mid season resulted in very strong growing conditions. Scott Henry trellising system maintained an open canopy, and leaf removal helped reduce disease pressure and ensure good ripening. The Indian summer extended our ripening period.
Temperature averages:
January: min 12.0°C, max 26.7°C
February: min 12.0°C , max 21.3°C
March: min 11.0°C , max 20.3°C
Vinification:
The fruit was machine harvested over a 4 week period to capture both herbaceous characters and rich tropical flavours, transported the short distance to the winery then destemmed and crushed directly to the membrane press.
The juice was settled for 2 days after which it was racked, and inoculated with EC1118 yeast, cool fermented separately to retain fruit character.
All components are blended and clarified before bottling. The final blend has an alcohol level of 12% v/v, 7.2g/l total acid and pH 3.18.
About CJ Pask
C.J. Pask Winery was founded in 1985 by Chris Pask and his daughter Tessa McKay. A successful winery expansion was completed in 1991 with the appointment of Kate Radburnd as Winemaker. The first vintage of one barrel of Cabernet Sauvignon has increased over the last fifteen years to an annual production of some 35 000 cases, based largely on four premium varieties; Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chris Pask pioneered grape plantings at Gimblett Road, Hawkes Bay in 1982. The winery now owns and manages 60 hectares of established vineyard in Gimblett Road, arguably the leading viticultural site in New Zealand. The company also has a further 20 hectares, to be developed in the medium term, affording flexibility to future production. Four main blocks are planted at Gimblett Road, on the old riverbed of the Ngaruroro river.

The soil profile is typically, fine river silt over free draining shingle which supports premium vine growth exceptionally well.
The winery is located on the outskirts of Hastings, 10 minutes drive from the Gimblett Road vineyards and five minutes from down town Hastings. The modern winery was built in 1989, and utilises the latest technology and equipment to produce elegant wine styles. Stainless steel tanks, refrigeration systems, crushing and pressing facilities and oak are the key elements to the fermentation technology. All wine is crafted and cared for on site, including contract bottling and labeling.



Three distinct ranges are produced by C J Pask winery, they are predominately estate grown, elegant styles displaying clearly defined fruit characters. The aim of these different ranges is to meet the market demands, nationally and internationally of varying price points, and wine styles, with quality that exceeds expectations. The Reserve Range are produced in limited quantities only when the fruit quality is exceptional. The Gimblett Road Range and Roys Hill Range are produced in commercial quantities in very consistent styles from vintage to vintage.
The Gimblett Road region lies on the old Ngaruroro riverbed, the free draining shingle combined with the silt soils tend to increase soil temperature and to reflect the sun onto the grapes during the day. The region has its own micro climate with Roys Hill blocking the prevailing winds and cloud formation, the heat retention effectively means a different categorisation from the "cool climate" definition used for the broader New Zealand wine industry. The consequences are an extending of the ripening process and fruit characteristics of the wine CJ Pask being a genuine estate grown producer from only the Gimblett Road site, with integrated Viticulture, Production, Winemaking and Marketing resources ensure that the opportunities of Gimblett Road are reflected in the final product.