The core of these selections typify the reach of sauvignon blanc across the country. The first four wines have broad nationwide distribution, so wherever you find yourself over the summer there is a strong chance you’ll spot one or more of this quartet on the shelves. These are wines you can rely on no matter where you are. The final two showcase different parts of the industry. Riverby Estate is a smaller producer, and while available nationally, you’re more likely to find it in specialist retailers. The Greywacke Wild is far from "typical" and yet equally rewarding for its point of difference. 2025 Grove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $17.80 Rating Very Good to Excellent Fragrant, perfumed, gooseberry, grassiness an apricot tinge, very engaging. Real vibrancy in the mouth, an almost crunchy aspect to the texture, crisp, fresh, comes across as slightly drier than some examples and positively so. Balanced and integrated, good carry and quite simply a really enjoyable example that I may be underscoring. Post reveal, excellent vfm. www.grovemill.co.nz 2025 Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $20.50 Rating Excellent Powerful nose, grassy, a deeper undercurrent (feijoa perhaps). Leaf and herb, gooseberry, perfumed, great appeal. Crisp and salivatory, really vibrant in the mouth, a tiny prickle of spritz adding to the freshness. Gooseberry, cut grass, apple, complexity yet the typical generosity of the grape, fills the mouth. Very comfortable in its skin, yum. www.vavasour.com 2025 Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $25 Rating Excellent Lovely ripe fruit here, offering a different perspective, spice, a light liquorice note, kaffir lime, grassiness, fascinating, draws you back for another sniff. The palate continues the lime and liquorice theme, gooseberry now, red apple, power and depth, zesty without being strident. Feels nicely assured. Serious, a very tasty drop with a nicely dry close. www.julestaylor.com 2025 Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $14.80 Rating Very Good Subtle nose, straightforward, vinous and true to its variety. A bit of a game of two halves wine as the palate ramps up the intensity, good flavour depth and appeal without being massively complex. Easy drinking and this is not a wine to analyse, but one to enjoy with food and good company. www.dashwoodwine.co.nz 2025 Riverby Estate S.V Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $24 Rating Excellent Bright, fresh nose, all the gooseberry, cut grass and nettle you could ask for, fragrant, hinting at exotic fruits (perhaps rock melon?). Lovely texture, fine, mouthfilling, the palate echoing the nose, a little touch of fruit jelly reminding you of the ripe fruits, closing with citrussy lift keeping this fresh to the end. Very nice carry and length. Lots to enjoy. www.riverbyestate.com 2023 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc Price RRP $42.99 Rating Excellent to Outstanding Gorgeous nose of warm baguette, gunflint, fragrant flowers, more in the tropical fruit than gooseberry spectrum, green herb elements, too. Quietly sumptuous palate, beautiful balance and integration, a sense of effortlessness to this. Hints of clotted cream, nutty (almond?) nuances, green herb, this is not your "typical" SB but wonderful in its point of difference. www.greywacke.com
