This batch included three low-alcohol sauvignon blancs, about 8% or 10% instead of 13% or 14%, designed for lunch-time drinking by the glass.
The fruit is picked early so is less ripe than usual, a style that works well with riesling but I can't help feeling low-alcohol sauvignon lacks flavour and weight.
Low-alcohol wine still has more than twice the alcohol of most beers.
Mills Reef Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
(about $19)
Wonderfully fragrant with oodles of exotic fruit - guava, apricot, pineapple and melon, pungent herbs, mouth-filling and well balanced with a crisp, dry finish.
- 4 stars (out of 5)
- Good value
(about $17)
The best of the lower alcohol sauvignons.
Enhanced by a light spritz, it hints of ripe apples, green fruits and drops of water on hot river stones, and has a crisp juicy finish.
- 3 stars
- Average value
(about $20)
Floral aromas, with a hint of apple, initial light sweetness and a crisp dry finish.
- 2 1/2 stars
- Below average value
(about $20)
Fragrant with hints of tropical fruit, ripe apple, red capsicum, mineral and herbs, mouth-filling and a crisp, dry, textural finish.
- 3 1/2 stars
- Average value
(about $25)
Pungent, lively and mouth-filling with oodles of fresh guava, passionfruit, red capsicum, gooseberries and freshly mown grass, and a crisp tight finish. A full-on sauvignon that will develop with a few months' bottle age.
- 4 1/2 stars
- Average value
(about $24)
A relatively restrained wine, hinting of herbs, green fruits, gooseberry and mineral, but with a lovely intensity, weighty mouthfeel, texture, harmony and balance, and a long finish. It will develop with more bottle age.
- 4 stars
- Average value
ANOTHER GLASS
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 21 Bell Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$25.50
Four stars
Average value
Another wonderfully pungent wine from Saint Clair, oozing fresh guava, passionfruit, golden kiwi and gooseberry, generous in the mouth, intense, textural and zesty with a long, harmonious, crisp finish.
Waimea Naturally low alcohol Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$19
Two stars
Below average value.
A low alcohol (8%) sauvignon, with light floral aromas reminiscent of gorse flowers, light flavours with a hint of mineral and a crisp taut finish.
Gladstone Vineyard Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$23
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Fragrant with suggestions of peach, lime and guava and an initial sweetness, but restrained in the mouth with a fresh, dry, finish. Will develop with a few more months bottle age.
Gladstone Reserve Sophie's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2010
$36
three and a half stars (out of five)
below average value V
A pungent, barrel-fermented wine with hints of smoky green herbs, tinned
peas and asparagus, and
suggestions of creamy, toasty nuts. A stylish wine that will develop
with further bottle age.
www.gladstonevineyard.co.nz
- Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
