Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($34) ★★★★½ Intensely fruity on the nose, with lime, lemongrass, passionfruit and white peach all flooding through onto the palate as well. I love the bruised basil and lemon verbena notes that are carried along by ultra-tangy acidity and a solid, succulent spine. Lovely stuff from winemaker Sarah Inkersell. www.fairbourne.co.nz
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Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $19 ★★★★ Aromas of basil and lime, passionfruit, pepper and lemongrass lead to crisp, crunchy acidity, a burst of citrus and oodles of tropical tastiness on the finish. Sourced from an established, high quality vineyard block outside of Hastings, this is a snappy, succulent example of sauvignon … Read More
Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $18 ★★★½ If you like your sauvignon packed with passionfruit, lime, basil, pea pod and peach flavours then you’d best get your keyboard out and order some of this pronto. Uncomplicated, fresh, zingy and superb with steamed mussels – what more do you need? www.toitoiwines.co.nz
Aorangi Road Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Aorangi Road Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $18 With a stack of shiny medals to its name including a gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Awards, this is one super-tasty sauvignon. Grown on the Mangatahi Terraces, 30kms inland west of Hastings by a specialist sauvignon blanc producer, it has delicious sugar-snap … Read More
Gladstone Estate 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Gladstone Vineyard 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $19 ★★★½ A superb sauvignon showing peach fuzz, passionfruit and citrus aromas that lead to punchy, cheek-sucking acidity, blackcurrant leaf, pineapple and herbaceous flavours and an intense, lime-laden finish. I’d love to taste this again in 12 months time when it’s had a chance to soften slightly. … Read More
Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $16 ★★★★★ Wow! This is intense, concentrated stuff. Each glass is packed with passionfruit, lime and blackcurrant leaf loveliness on the nose and palate. Punchy and pungent, with a glorious, gum-tingling texture – it’s darn flash and should definitely be in your fridge this summer. www.hahawine.com
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2007
2007 Te Mata Cape Crest $30 (★★★★★) is sublime and then some. Delicious toasty notes on the nose combine with elderflower, freshly milled timber and crushed herb characters all followed by a burst of white peach and lime and finished with harmonious, honeysuckle-like loveliness. Delicate and minerally with a seam of coconut and lime pannacotta running … Read More
Ohau Gravels Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Ohau Gravels Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $23 Fresh, punchy and packed with passionfruit and lime – this is a little cracker from New Zealand’s newest wine region. I like the clean, rich, flavoursome mouthfeel, and I think it’ll drink nicely for the next couple of years. www.ohaugravels.co.nz
Incognito Prestige Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Incognito Prestige Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $15 This is a definite new favourite for me – aromas of freshly chopped herbs, fennel, lime and pineapple lead to a juicy, flavoursome palate that’s tangy but not tart and has layers of concentrated citrus all the way through to the finish. An absolute steal and it’s available … Read More
Riverby Estate Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2011
Riverby Estate Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2011 $35 Deeply golden colour with hints of musky, dusty notes underneath the honeyed, toffee-like aromas. There are lovely sweet marmalade and peach concentrate flavours on the finish which has good, solid length. www.riverbyestate.com