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
$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
$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.
Good value
4 stars (out of 5)
BEST UNDER $20
$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.
Good value
4 stars
$20
A fragrant, textural wine with pungent, almost tropical aromatics and a crisp intensity on the finish.
Average value
3 stars
$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.
Average value
3 stars
$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.
Average value
5 stars
ANOTHER GLASS
$20
Ripe - almost overripe - fruit mingles with a hint of river stones creating an attractive wine with broad flavours and a crisp clean finish.
average value
3 stars
$25
A powerful wine with overtones of apples, stonefruit and fresh guava, and a lively, long, assertive finish.
Below average value
3½ stars
$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.
Below average value
2½ stars
$35
A stylish, textural wine with a sweet, ripe fruit, a hint of nuts and a crisp, dry, but well balanced finish.
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.
