Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Wild-ferment & savoury

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is a sophisticated, bone-dry Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with white passionfruit, lemon balm, nectarine, blackcurrant leaf, green herbs and slate-like mineral acidity. A small Sémillon component, wild fermentation and lees ageing in oak give it more texture and savoury detail than a classic fruit-driven Sauvignon. Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable, this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with restraint, depth and real table appeal.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Seresin Estate — one of Marlborough’s benchmark organic and biodynamic producers
• White passionfruit, lemon balm, nectarine, leafy herbs, red apple and mineral acidity
• 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sémillon, wild fermented with a portion aged on lees in used French oak
• 93 points — Bob Campbell MW; 93 points — Cameron Douglas MS; 92 points — James Suckling; 90 points — Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous; 4.5 stars — Michael Cooper; 17 points — Jancis Robinson
• 13.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Lifted and savoury with white passionfruit, lemon balm, nectarine, blackcurrant leaf, red apple, pineapple, gooseberry, nettle, white spice and cool stone minerality. The palate is bone dry, layered and textural, with a medium-bodied shape and a strong line of acidity pulling everything into focus. It finishes long, fresh and slightly saline, with fine lees detail and a dry mineral edge.

Winemaking

This is 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon, made with indigenous yeast and a thoughtful mix of stainless steel and used French oak. Seven parcels were hand harvested, with free-run juice settled naturally before fermentation. Most of the wine fermented in stainless steel, with up to 30% in used French oak barrels; the barrel-fermented portion aged on lees for 5 months. The result is a more complex, textural and savoury expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Seresin’s Raupo Creek vineyard in the centre of Marlborough’s Omaka Valley. The site has clay soils, gentle north-west exposure, high sunshine hours and minimal rain, and is farmed following certified organic and biodynamic principles. The 2023 season produced smaller bunches and berries, followed by wet growing conditions that demanded careful vineyard management. Dry weather through harvest allowed precise picking decisions across seven parcels.

Why We Love It

This is Sauvignon Blanc for drinkers who want more than a burst of passionfruit. It has that Marlborough freshness, but the Sémillon, wild fermentation, lees and old oak add shape, savoury complexity and a quietly mineral finish. Bone dry, biodynamic and beautifully made, it is a smart white for seafood, herbs, citrus, spice and relaxed but thoughtful meals.

Food Pairing

This Sauvignon Blanc has the acidity for seafood and citrus, the texture for white meats, and the savoury herbal edge for green vegetables, goat cheese and light spice. It works beautifully with dishes that include lime, herbs, chilli, fennel, peas, zucchini or lemon.

Try matching this wine with →

• Prawn and green papaya salad with lime and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Zucchini and goat cheese fritters with lemon — Find a Recipe
• Lemon herb roast chicken with green vegetables — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Open this for a seafood lunch, a thoughtful aperitif, spring vegetables, a herby chicken dinner or any moment that calls for Sauvignon Blanc with a little extra polish.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2028. It has the freshness to enjoy now, while the Sémillon, lees texture and mineral acidity give it enough structure for short-term development. With careful cellaring, expect more savoury, smoky and citrus-oil complexity to emerge.

Producer

Seresin Estate is a pioneering organic and biodynamic producer based in Marlborough, New Zealand. Founded by cinematographer Michael Seresin in the early 1990s, the estate is known for hand-crafted wines made with a gentle, traditional approach and deep respect for the land. Raupo Creek vineyard in the Omaka Valley is farmed using organic and biodynamic principles, with clay-rich soils, north-west exposure, high sunshine hours and minimal rainfall. The wines are built around texture, purity and site expression rather than simple fruit impact.

Related Wines To Try →

Love this textural biodynamic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc? These fresh, organic and food-friendly wines are worth exploring next.

• Bright organic Marlborough Sauvignon with passionfruit and grapefruit — Momo Sauvignon Blanc
• Same Seresin family, rich biodynamic Pinot Gris with pear and spice — Seresin Pinot Gris
• Same producer, flinty biodynamic Chardonnay with citrus and mineral detail — Seresin Chardonnay

FAQ

What does Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 taste like?

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 tastes of white passionfruit, lemon balm, nectarine, blackcurrant leaf, red apple, gooseberry, nettle and white spice. It is bone dry, textural and mineral, with vibrant acidity and a long savoury finish. This is a more sophisticated Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, not a simple tropical fruit style.

Is this Sauvignon Blanc sweet or dry?

This wine is bone dry, with residual sugar at 0 g/L. The passionfruit and nectarine notes bring aromatic fruit, but there is no sweetness on the finish. It closes crisp, savoury and mineral.

Is Seresin Sauvignon Blanc organic or biodynamic?

Yes, this wine is certified organic and certified biodynamic. The Raupo Creek vineyard is farmed following organic and biodynamic principles, with a focus on soil health, vineyard balance and clear site expression. It is also vegan suitable.

Is this wine preservative-free?

This wine is not preservative free, and it contains sulphites. Customers looking specifically for No Added Preservative wines should browse the preservative-free range. Organic and biodynamic wines can still contain sulphites unless clearly labelled otherwise.

Does this wine contain sulphites?

Yes, this wine contains sulphites, with total SO₂ at 66 ppm. Most wines contain some naturally occurring sulphites, and many also use added sulphites for freshness and stability. Biodynamic and organic certification does not mean sulphite-free.

How should I serve Seresin Sauvignon Blanc?

Serve at around 8–10°C in a medium white wine glass. Avoid serving it icy cold, as the lees texture, herbs and mineral detail are more expressive with a little warmth. No decanting is needed, but 10 minutes in the glass will help the wine open.

What food pairs best with this Sauvignon Blanc?

It pairs beautifully with prawns, oysters, white fish, goat cheese, zucchini fritters, asparagus, green salads, roast chicken and Vietnamese-style herbs. The acidity suits citrus and seafood, while the texture makes it work with richer white meats and soft cheeses. Vegetarian dishes with peas, zucchini, fennel, herbs or lemon are especially good.

How long will it last after opening?

Once opened, reseal the bottle and store it in the fridge. It should drink well for 2–3 days, especially if kept cold and tightly closed. Let it warm slightly before serving again so the aromatics and texture can return.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, short-term cellaring is suitable. Drink now to 2028 for a balance of fresh passionfruit, citrus, herbs and developing savoury complexity. The acidity, Sémillon component and lees detail give it more ageing potential than a simple Sauvignon Blanc.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic, making it a strong choice for mixed tables where farming and production credentials matter. It is especially good with plant-based dishes built around green vegetables, herbs, citrus and coconut.

Who will enjoy this Sauvignon Blanc most?

This will suit drinkers who enjoy textural, mineral Sauvignon Blanc with passionfruit, herbs and a dry finish. If you like Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Bordeaux blanc or more serious Marlborough Sauvignon with wild ferment detail, this is a beautiful fit. It is ideal for anyone who wants Sauvignon Blanc with freshness, but also savoury depth.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes. Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 has residual sugar at 0 g/L, making it an excellent choice for keto-conscious wine drinkers. As always, suitability depends on individual dietary goals and serving size.

(SKU: SE_SBL_CV)