Saint Clair is often regarded as this country's supreme maker of sauvignon blanc - it makes at least 16 different wines from Vicar's Choice, through the premium range, to the 12 individualistic, single vineyard Pioneer Block sauvignons to the Reserve range, one of which is reviewed here.
Others may be more sophisticated, but for a delicious, drinkable yet complex wine it's hard to beat the Wairau Reserve.
BEST UNDER $20
$19.95
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant with oodles of passionfruit and melon, lush and mouthfilling with an intense, crisp,
assertive finish.
$19
Three stars
Average value
Hints of mineral, ripe green fruit, mint and freshly mown grass, with a crisp finish.
$20
Four stars
Good value
Lightly pungent with aromas of mineral, herbs and currant leaves, attractive passionfruit and tropical flavours and a bright crisp intensity on the finish. Easy to enjoy.
$22
Four stars
Good value
Pungent aromas leap out of the glass; masses of ripe passionfruit, gooseberry, greengage, guava and currant leaves are held in check by an intense, crisp, textural finish.
$24.50
Four stars
Good value
Inviting aromas of red capsicum, greengage and mineral waft out of the glass, there's a suggestion of citrus in the fruit intensity, and its complex and textural with a taut, crisp, long finish.
$33
Five stars
Good value
Consistently one of the best Marlborough sauvignons, this has everything - vibrant and bold, with overflowing aromas, intense passionfruit, peach, melon, gooseberry, newly mown grass, mineral, but it's all held in perfect harmony and finishes with a crisp, lingering aftertaste.
ANOTHER GLASS
Richmond Plains Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2010
$20
Three stars
Average value
A biodynamic wine, broad in the mouth with hints of tinned peas and mineral, but restrained with a dry finish.
Sacred Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
$22
Three stars
Below average value
A taut wine at the greener end of the sauvignon spectrum with hints of mineral, lime and gooseberry, with a dryish, gentle finish.
The People's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris 2010
$23
Three stars
Below average value
A medium sweet wine with hints of herbs and mineral filled out with the oiliness of pinot gris, but with a crisp finish.
