Incredibly juicy and tropical, this is a passionfruit and lime fest if ever I tasted one. But the other thing I love about this wine is that it’s SO textural. Produced from two Awatere Valley vineyards (Starborough + Long Lane) and a Wairau site (O’Dwyers Farm) the result of the blend is a super-concentrated, lemongrass … Read More
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Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27
Throwing themselves headlong into organic viticulture, Christine Kernohan and her team of sauvignon sensei’s are reaping the rewards right here. Softly, softly is how this super-floral example plays out, with hints of fresh lawn clippings, basil, sweet pea and some plucky, preserved lemon layers give it lusciousness, length and complexity. Sip with: steamed snapper with … Read More
Aotea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $29 (5stars)
If this is any indication of how Nelson’s sauvignon blancs are going to be from 2017, then I’m a giddily happy girl. Crafted by the talented team at Seifried, it’s an incredibly aromatic example that erupts with sweet lawn clippings, tomato leaf, a hint of man-sweat, passionfruit and peachy notes. Saturated with citrus, it’s magically … Read More
Huia Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $23
Expect a cheek-slappingly good explosion of passionfruit, lime zest, red capsicum, gooseberry and all manner of herbaceous heroism in this fully-certified, organic sauvignon blanc. Grown on the Allan family’s Boyces Road vineyard, it’s got power, drive and pluckiness on the palate and finishes with freshness, power and precision. What to pair with this wine? Sip … Read More
Greenhough Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $20 (4 stars)
Nelson offers all sorts of niceness in a sauvignon blanc style that’s got a personality all of its own. Pretty, punchy and prickled with crushed nettles, bruised lemongrass and fresh passionfruit, this certified organic sauvignon erupts with zesty acidity, some sneaky oak notes and mountains of minerality on the finish. www.greenhough.co.nz
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Barrique Fermented Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $30 (4 star)
I’m on a crusade to convert more people over to the barrel fermented side of the sauvignon fence if it’s the last thing I do. Gary and Valley Neale are experts in this field and this eye-poppingly good example is now a firm favourite of mine. Toasty, macadamia, buttered crumpet and roast peach aromatics lead … Read More
Mahana Davey’s Lease Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $42 (4stars)
Winemaker Michael Glover has thrown so many ‘non-sauvignon’ techniques at this wine, it’s now something that might be sauvignon, but not as we know it. Bright, glossy, golden and boasting a lean, smoky, watercressy nose and a palate layered with almond meal, celery seed, bay and tarragon characters. A combo of French oak and acacia … Read More
Fairhall Downs Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $23.75 (3.5stars)
From their Wrekin Road vineyard, comes this intensely herbaceous sauvignon, with loads of crushed nettles and a wave of jalapeno on the nose before morphing into a soft, basil, passionfruit and lemony layers in the mid-palate. It’s a plump, tropical sauvignon that’ll win with mussel fritters. www.fairhalldowns.co.nz
Bladen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $21
The thing that I really like about this wine is that it doesn’t have any thing OTT about it. All the citrus layers of lemon, lime and feijoa are contained in layers of sweet, grassy goodness. Elegant and herbaceous, it’s a wine that Christine and Dave MacDonald have done themselves proud with this snazzy, pea-pod … Read More
Gunn Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $17.99
Intensely herbaceous on the nose with hints of jalapeno, basil and ripe passionfruit, this is a banging, boldly aromatic wine that’s gently juicy on the palate with nice acidity and length. It’s a superb wine that (luckily for us) is available in supermarkets around the country. If you’re a fan of crunchy-crisp sauvignon that hits … Read More