In late winter the new season's sauvignon blancs bring summer to mind, but this time of year, when the next vintage is being harvested, is when they are drinking their best.
They have lost the aggressiveness of youth though they are still feisty, and have mellowed, toning down the assertive acidity and softening the edgy fruit.
They also go better with a range of food - try a 2008 sauvignon with roasted pumpkin, or fish or chicken baked with tomato and potato, or a cheesy gratin.
◊ BEST UNDER $20
(about $19)
Fragrant with aromas of nectarines, cape gooseberry, cox's orange apples and melon, this wine is powerful and textural with a bright intensity and long crisp finish.
Its beautiful balance invites another glass.
Five stars (out of five)
Good value
www.tohuwines.co.nz Tohu
◊ BEST UNDER $20
(about $18)
Pungent with hints of rain on hot gravel, red capsicum and fresh guava, this wine is intense and mouthfilling with a nicely balanced, firm, crisp finish.
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
(about $20)
There's an initial suggestion of sweetness with undertones of crisp melon and cape gooseberry and a hint of hot, dusty gravel, but this textural wine is well balanced and finishes with a long, dryish after taste.
Three stars (out of five)
Average valuewww.wairauriverwines.com
(about $22)
Fragrant with aromas of sweet passionfruit, lime and nectarines, this wine is mouthfilling and textural with an attractive hint of mineral and bright, stylish finish.
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
(about $20)
Pungent with hints of kiwiberries, fresh guava and a hint of greywacke, this fresh, intense wine has a long, tingly finish.
Spy Valley invariably offers good value.
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
(about $24)
Fragrant with hints of melon, lavender, passionfruit and golden kiwi and underlying notes of mineral, this complex wine is mouthfilling, textural, and beautifully balanced with a lovely lingering aftertaste.
Five stars (out of five)
Good value
ANOTHER GLASS
Anthem Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2008
(about $18)
A hint of passionfruit, tinned peas and lychees, this wine is textural and mouthfilling with a crisp finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Matakana Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008
(about $22)
Sweet passionfruit and golden kiwi, with a firm background suggesting fresh rain on hot gravel, this wine is assertive but not aggressive, and finishes with a lovely, crisp textural aftertaste.
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
Julicher Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008
(about $20)
This bright, mouthfilling wine, with hints of golden delicious apple and suggestions of mineral, is poised and lively.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Gladstone Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2008
(about $24)
More serious than many of the attractive Marlborough sauvignons, this hints of green fruits and melon, is textural and intense, with a lovely balance and crisp, dry finish.
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
- 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
