At this time of year, as the new season's wines are fermenting in tanks, the year-old sauvignons are often at their best. Sauvignon blanc ranges from leaner, grassy, mineral flavours to richer tropical tones, but the most best have and exciting balance of both.
BEST UNDER $20
$18
Oodles of fruit - passionfruit, melon, pineapple, ripe apple, gooseberry - are held in check by a mineral backbone and tingly, assertive finish.
Good value
Three stars (out of five)
BEST UNDER $20
$18
Fragrant, fresh and zesty with suggestions of melon, guava and gooseberry, a mineral undertone and a a lingering, tingly finish.
Good value
Three stars
$22
Green melons, peach and golden delicious apples with undertones of herbs and nuts, and a crisp, textural finish.
Average value
Three stars
$22
Fragrant with hints of eau de cologne, mint and pineapple, this is a juicy, textural wine, attractive and nicely balanced with a lingering finish.
Good value
Four stars
$23
Fragrant with overtones of melon, guava and exotic fruit, but also rich with mouthfilling intensity, a suggestion of nuts, honey and a dash of citrus, and a crisp inish.
Good value
Four stars
$24.50
This has all the lovely melon, guava and passionfruit you expect of a Marlborough sauvignon blanc but it also has complexity with funky pungent hints of mineral and mokiness, savoury undertones and a bright, well-balanced finish.
Good value
Five stars
ANOTHER GLASS
The Crossings Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$19A lighter style of sauvignon with hints of apple and melon and a crisp, lingly finish. Those who usually find sauvignon too assertive may enjoy this.
Average value
Two stars
Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$21
A sweeter style of sauvignon with hints of passionfruit and a crisp finish, but lacks mid palate weight.
Below average value
Two stars
Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
$25
Nautilus is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Its sauvignon hints of melon and passionfruit with a mineral backbone and a suggestion of savouriness. It tends to be elegant, even tending to lightness, rather than assertive, but has a stylish lingering finish.
Average value
Three and a half stars
Dog Point Section 94 2008
$35
Don't expect an average sauvignon with Section 94. Barrel fermented with wild yeast, it is funky with hints of smoky herbs, green fruits, and mouthfilling layers of flavour and texture.It's nicely integrated and balanced, and will develop with another year or two in the bottle but is delicious now.
Average value
Four and a half 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.
