A lively collection of sauvignons turned up for this tasting. Often they are at their best 10-12 months after vintage.
Block 88 MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc 2011
$12
Four stars (out of five)
Good Value
A complex wine with aromas of fresh guava and stone fruit and hints of citrus - lime, lemon and a mandarin tang, this is intense and assertive, with a finish to make you sit up and take notice - just as Marlborough sauvignon should.
Available online.
$12
Three and a half stars
Good value
Hints of mint and ginger, passionfruit and mango ooze from this lush, mouth-filling wine with a lively, crisp finish.
$20
Three and a half stars
Good value
Sniff this and you'll be reminded of hot river stones splashed by a few raindrops. It's minerally with hints of green capsicum, a suggestion of tinned asparagus which indicates maturity, and a lively, crisp finish.
$25
Three and a half stars
Average Value.
A typically fragrant Marlborough sauvignon with hints of mint, passionfruit, white peach and green fruits, nicely balanced with a lively, crisp finish.
www.brancott estate.com
$30
Four stars
Average value.
barrel-fermented sauvignon which gives it a suggestion of toasted nuts and a mouth-filling, silky texture which complements the stonefruit and herb flavours. The finish is crisp and dry with a slight bitterness.
$33
Four stars
Average value.
One of the most stylish of the barrel-fermented sauvignons, this oozes ripe guava and exotic tropical fruit, enhanced by smoky aromatics and underlying minerality, complexity and texture, with a crisp dry finish and lingering aftertaste.
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.
