Sauvignon Blanc - Invivo X, SJP

INVIVO X , SARAH JESSICA PARKER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022

Following the phenomenal global success of the first three vintages of Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc, Sarah Jessica Parker and Invivo co-founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron have created their 2022 fourth release together, at the Baccarat Hotel in New York! Their first in-person meeting after two years apart, famed fashion photographer and longtime friend of Invivo Nigel Barker was on-hand to capture the special moment.

TASTING NOTE

Bright and expressionate aromas of lifted passionfruit, white florals and kaffir lime. The palate is concentrated with great vibrancy and a long, delicious finish.

“I feel fortunate that I was able to meet my Invivo X, SJP partners Tim and Rob in person after two years apart and together blend our fourth vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. We were looking to build on the quality of our previous vintages and are thrilled with the result. Each of the base wines had great personalities so combining them to create something special took some work at the blending table. Our final 2022 Sauvignon Blanc blend is tropical and has wonderful fresh citrus aromatics with a full and round mouthfeel and long finish. We are eager for our customers around the world to try it.”

Sarah Jessica Parker

ACCOLADES

93 Points, Wine Spectator
94 Points, Wine Orbit
92 Points, Wine Align
90 Points, Decanter
Bronze Badge, NZ International Wine Show
4/5 Stars, Michael Cooper NZ Wine Guide

Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded more than
50 accolades and 15 Gold medals since launch in 2019.

“Brilliantly pure and immediately appealing with green rockmelon, passionfruit, kaffir lime and white floral aromas, it’s concentrated and powerfully expressed on the palate with excellent vibrancy and persistency. Wonderfully composed and delectably appealing. At its best: now to 2026.” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

For a full list of accolades, click here.

WINEMAKING

Sarah Jessica has developed a beautiful style of Sauvignon Blanc that is soft with a subtle oak influence, which is created by some late harvesting, a little bit of skin contact and using French barriques and hogsheads as well as non-barrel blonde oak products.

We were really after an elevated phenolic structure with a hint of savory toast, but to be balanced we needed a great deal of weight and flesh among the structure. The vineyards provided this in abundance and with the addition of some extra solids during ferment, helped maximise the textual element. The final tool was a good amount of malolactic fermentation to naturally soften the wine and add that special character the malic acid conversion does.

SARAH JESSICA’S FAVORITE FOOD MATCHES

Classical dishes such as lamb chops
Casseroles
Chinese food
Cheese
Lighter, casual fare like pizza

INVIVO X , SARAH JESSICA PARKER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021

With two vintages of Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc under their belts, Sarah Jessica Parker and Invivo's Tim and Rob were eager to get cracking on their third release together, which again was done virtually. Sarah Jessica dialled in from her home in NYC, and Tim and Rob in from the INVIVO winery in New Zealand. In true Kiwi style, and with limited options available, the resourceful chaps connected Sarah Jessica to a TV screen for the blending session, which was carefully positioned on the back of a forklift truck. Watch the trio create and sign off the fantastic final blend!

TASTING NOTE

Aromas of lifted, ripe tropical fruit amongst a mingling of citrus peel with exotic guava in the back ground. The delicate oak influence underpins the fruit on the nose and in the palate gives an immediate softness and accessibility. This swiftly fills the mouth and the balanced acid structure emerges through the folds of supple savory and fruit sweet characters. The finish is long and, delicious.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with where we arrived with this year’s grapes,” says Sarah Jessica.

“I was so worried as competing with our first Sauvignon Blanc felt slightly daunting given its success and our love for it. But I am supremely excited about this.”

ACCOLADES

92 POINTS, Wine Spectator
5 STARS, 95 POINTS, Wine Orbit
92 POINTS, Winestate Magazine
GOLD, New Zealand International Wine Show
TROPHY - Big Night In, People's Choice Wine Awards

“Juicy and incredibly drinkable, with ripe apricot, candied ginger, melon and aromatic citrus zest highlights on a fleshy frame. Features a hint of honeysuckle that lingers on the long, expressive finish. Drink now.” MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator

“Brilliantly fruited and intensely aromatic, showing passionfruit, kiwifruit, kaffir lime and white floral aromas on the nose, leading to an immensely appealing palate that's filled with vibrant fruit flavours combined with juicy acidity, finishing long and delicious. At its best: now to 2024.” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

For a full list of accolades, click here.

WINEMAKING

Sarah Jessica pushed the style a little further this year, for a softer wine with more oak influence, which included new French barriques and hogsheads. We employed more pre-fermentation maceration than in 2019, meaning we stirred the grape skins into the juice a bit more. We were really after an elevated phenolic structure with a hint of savory toast, but to be balanced we needed a great deal of weight and flesh among the structure. The vineyards provided this in abundance and with the addition of some extra solids during ferment, helped maximise the textual element. The final tool was a good amount of malolactic fermentation to naturally soften the wine and add that special character the malic acid conversion does.

INVIVO COFOUNDER AND WINEMAKER ROB CAMERON’S FOOD MATCHES

Oysters
Baked or smoked salmon
Grilled sambal prawns
Korean spicy beef
Classic old school kedgeree
Salmon poke bowl
Blue cheese and caramelised onion tart

INVIVO X , SARAH JESSICA PARKER SAUVIGNON BLANC

Following the phenomenal global success of the first vintage of Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc, Sarah Jessica Parker and Invivo guys, Tim and Rob, made their 2020 second release together, virtually. NYC-based Sarah Jessica dialled Tim and Rob in from their winery in Te Kauwhata, New Zealand to create and sign off their latest blend, over a two-hour Zoom chat. The result? Exceptional.

TASTING NOTES

An intensely aromatic nose, this is a delicious medley of ripe citrus, tropical fruit and a hint of something savory. The fruit spectrum is complex and while overwhelmingly ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, the addition of delicate oak adds another dimension. The striking palate immediately fills the mouth and finds a crisp finish to a long and balanced interplay of fruit and acidity. Delicate white wine tannins provide the framework and, combined with an approachable acidity, focuses the palate toward a long and elegant finish.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with where we arrived with this year’s grapes,” says Sarah Jessica.

“I was so worried as competing with our first Sauvignon Blanc felt slightly daunting given its success and our love for it. But I am supremely excited about this.”

ACCOLADES

90 POINTS, Wine Spectator
DOUBLE GOLD, BEST OF CLASS, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
GOLD, 94 POINTS, Melbourne International Wine Comp
5 STARS, 94 POINTS, Wine Orbit
90 POINTS, James Suckling

“Apricot, pineapple and passion fruit flavors are intense, fleshy and vibrant. Shows hints of lemon curd and green tea on the crisp finish.” MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator

“A collaboration with actress Sarah Jessica Parker, this is packed with rich peach and citrus-fruit aromas, as well as guava, blackcurrant and passion fruit. Some grassy elements, too. The palate has sweet fruit impact with lime and ripemelon flavors taking center stage. Drink now. Screw cap.” – James Sucking 2020

“It’s brilliantly pristine and gorgeously fragrant, showing passionfruit, feijoa, kaffir lime and crunchy apple aromas on the nose, leading to a powerfully expressed palate that’s filled with delicious sauvignon flavours. The wine offers terrific intensity and fruit purity, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2024” - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

For a full list of accolades, click here.

WINEMAKING

INVIVO COFOUNDER AND WINEMAKER ROB CAMERON’S FOOD MATCHES

Oysters
Baked or smoked salmon
Grilled sambal prawns
Korean spicy beef
Classic old school kedgeree
Salmon poke bowl
Blue cheese and caramelised onion tart

INVIVO X , SARAH JESSICA PARKER SAUVIGNON BLANC

Sarah Jessica Parker’s first ever wine was perfected in May when Invivo founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron travelled to New York City to create her new Sauvignon Blanc. They brought samples of the 2019 vintage, harvested in April. Over a three-hour session, Sarah Jessica and the Invivo team finalised the proportions from each vineyard to create the exact blending recipe used in the wine.

TASTING NOTES

Abundant notes of grapefruit, honeysuckle, passionfruit and citrus zest evolve from the glass. At first, the palate is expansive and leads with a wall of sweet-scented fruits and a soft – but balanced – acid spine. The mid-palate grows to another level, where supple phenolics offer a framework to further lift the fruit. The wine continues to unfold and is very long and persistent. This is a seriously drinkable Sauvignon Blanc that will continue to develop for up to seven years.

ACCOLADES

90 POINTS, Wine Spectator
GOLD, Frankfurt International Trophy 2020
GOLD AND 95 POINTS, The New World Wine Awards 2019
DOUBLE GOLD, The China Wine and Spirit Awards 2019
95 POINTS, Sam Kim’s Wine Orbit
GOLD, New Zealand International Wine Show
GOLD, Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc
BLUE GOLD, Sydney International Wine Competition
SILVER, International Wine and Spirit Challenge
SILVER, 90 POINTS, Decanter World Wine Awards 2020
SILVER, San Francisco International Wine Competition
SILVER, Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2019
90 POINTS, Wine.com
90 POINTS, Christopher Waters, The Globe and Mail, Canada

“Succulent and refreshing, with Key lime, preserved ginger and green apple candy flavors that are intense and focused. Reveals a hint of toasted green tea on the juicy finish. Drink now.” – MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator

“This is fabulously fruited and instantly appealing on the nose showing passionfruit, kiwifruit, nectarine and lime zest characters with a gorgeous touch of musky complexity. The palate delivers excellent concentration and weight, wonderfully complemented by fine texture and brilliant focus. It is deliciously expressed and texturally delightful, making it hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2022.” – July 2019 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“This is a ripe and expressive style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with pink grapefruit, passionfruit and floral notes. It’s a more polished presentation, as opposed to zesty or bracing in nature, with a pleasing bright juicy fruit character and mouth watering finish. This is ready to drink now and over the next two or three years.” – July 2020, Christopher Waters, The Globe and Mail

“Vibrant passionfruit and gooseberry nose, absolutely classic. The palate carries the bouquet’s theme and has real intensity and lift. It’s long, layered and very attractive.” – Decanter World Wine Awards, September 2020

VINEYARDS

Block Name: Armidale Estate
Location: Middle Renwick
Soil Type: Fine silt over small river gravel

Block Name: Higgins Family
Location: Waihopai Valley
Soil Type: Silt loam over clay, fine shell and river pebbles

Block Name: Cobden Farm
Location: Awatere Valley river terraces
Soil Type: Complex soil homogenisation of large greywacke rocks within organic matter / loam media

Block Name: Westhaven Estate
Location: Dashwood
Soil Type: Heavy silt over clay, with seams of river gravel deposits

WINEMAKING

The Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of five estates in Marlborough, spanning both the Wairau and Awatere Valleys. Sarah Jessica loved the intensity of style from the Waihopai Valley and has blended that with pure fruit aromatics from the Western Wairau and the power and purity found in the Westhaven Vineyard in the Dashwood.

The Westhaven vineyard is one of the last blocks of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough to be harvested and so has an extremely
long season to develop flavour and power. The 2019 vintage enjoyed an ideal growing season which allowed for gradual ripening, so harvest was timed to harness the maximum warmth and sunshine of summer.

Sarah Jessica loves the fruit purity of Sauvignon Blanc but also wanted to make a wine that was powerful and would age well. To achieve this, we needed to include a structural element to the wine. The Westhaven vineyard with its long season and ripe phenolic profile was the ideal candidate to push the boundaries! We held a portion of this fruit post-harvest in contact with its skins to extract some of the ripe phenolics (tannins). We introduced “blonde” (un-toasted) oak to some of the parcels to complement the naturally rounder wines, then vigorously stirred the lees of these tanks for three months. The resulting wines made for fascinating blending options that Sarah Jessica weaved into her wine.