Taste a sauvignon blanc and expect to be wowed by the
assertive fruit, intensity on the palate and punchy acidity
on the finish.
Some have a mean streak that leaves you reaching for another
piece of cheese, but others are less masochistic, with a
mouthfilling ripeness or a restraining hint of mineral that
complements food.
BEST UNDER $15
Lobster Reef Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$15
A fresh, zesty wine with hints of green fruits - gooseberries
and lime, and an undercurrent of mineral and greywacke, with
a crisp, assertive finish. This, like Cape Campbell below, is
from the Brown Family Vineyards.
good value
3 stars (out of 5)
BEST UNDER $20
Spy Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$19.90
A punchy, fruit salad wine, oozing juicy mango, ripe
pineapple, grapefruit, passionfruit and guava, but all
supported by a well-balanced, crisp, assertive, dryish
finish. Typical, full on Marlborough style.
www.spyvalley.co.nz
Good value
4 stars (out of 5)
BEST UNDER $20
Cape Campbell Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$19
This is in the leaner, more mineral spectrum, a stylish wine
with inviting hints of passionfruit and pineapple, and a
persistent, satisfying crisp dry finish.
www.capecampbell.co.nz
Good value
4 stars
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Sauvignon Blacn
2009
$20
A fragrant, textural wine with pungent, almost tropical
aromatics and a crisp intensity on the finish.
www.brightwaterwine.co.nz
Average value
3 stars
Hunters Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$19.50
A less assertive but nicely balanced wine with mouthfilling
hints of mineral and capsicum, and a crisp, fresh finish. One
of the longest-established Marlborough wineries and always
reliable.
www.hunters.co.nz
Average value
3 stars
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$33
Top of the range of Saint Clair's numerous exemplary
sauvignons, this oozes pungent aromas and oodles of melon,
fresh guava, ripe passionfruit, kiwifruit and lime, but all
this powerful fruit is held in balance and harmony with a
crisp, dry, lip-sucking finish. Powerful, punch and
wonderfully intense.
www.saintclair.co.nz
Average value
5 stars
ANOTHER GLASS
Bouldevines Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$20
Ripe - almost overripe - fruit mingles with a hint of river
stones creating an attractive wine with broad flavours and a
crisp clean finish.
www.bouldevineswine.co.nz
average value
3 stars
Brightwater Vineyard Lord Rutherford Nelson Sauvignon
Blanc 2009
$25
A powerful wine with overtones of apples, stonefruit and
fresh guava, and a lively, long, assertive finish.
www.brightwaterwine.co.nz
Below average value
3½ stars
Forrest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$22
One of the leaner, tighter styles of Marlborough sauvignon,
with hints of stone fruit, a mineral backbone, and a crisp
dry finish. Reach for another piece of cheese.
www.forrest.co.nz
Below average value
2½ stars
Forrest The Valleys Wairau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$35
A stylish, textural wine with a sweet, ripe fruit, a hint of
nuts and a crisp, dry, but well balanced finish.
www.forrest.co.nz
Below average value
4 stars
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate
preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is
subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good
wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good
wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars -
outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you
with a sense of wonder.
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