The first four wines have broad nationwide distribution, so wherever you find yourself over the summer there is a strong chance you’ll spot one or more of this quartet on the shelves.
These are wines you can rely on no matter where you are.
The final two showcase different parts of the industry.
Riverby Estate is a smaller producer, and while available nationally, you’re more likely to find it in specialist retailers.
The Greywacke Wild is far from "typical" and yet equally rewarding for its point of difference.
2025 Grove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Fragrant, perfumed,
gooseberry, grassiness
an apricot tinge, very
engaging. Real vibrancy
in the mouth, an almost
crunchy aspect to the
texture, crisp, fresh,
comes across as
slightly drier than some
examples and positively
so. Balanced and
integrated, good carry
and quite simply a really
enjoyable example that I
may be underscoring.
Post reveal, excellent
vfm.
2025 Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Powerful nose, grassy,
a deeper undercurrent
(feijoa perhaps). Leaf
and herb, gooseberry,
perfumed, great
appeal. Crisp and
salivatory, really
vibrant in the mouth, a
tiny prickle of spritz
adding to the
freshness. Gooseberry,
cut grass, apple,
complexity yet the
typical generosity of
the grape, fills the
mouth. Very
comfortable in its skin,
yum.
2025 Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Lovely ripe fruit here,
offering a different
perspective, spice, a
light liquorice note,
kaffir lime, grassiness,
fascinating, draws you
back for another sniff.
The palate continues
the lime and liquorice
theme, gooseberry
now, red apple, power
and depth, zesty
without being strident.
Feels nicely assured.
Serious, a very tasty
drop with a nicely dry
close.
2025 Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good
Subtle nose,
straightforward, vinous
and true to its variety. A
bit of a game of two
halves wine as the
palate ramps up the
intensity, good flavour
depth and appeal
without being
massively complex.
Easy drinking and this
is not a wine to
analyse, but one to
enjoy with food and
good company.
2025 Riverby Estate S.V Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Bright, fresh nose, all
the gooseberry, cut
grass and nettle you
could ask for, fragrant,
hinting at exotic fruits
(perhaps rock
melon?). Lovely
texture, fine,
mouthfilling, the palate
echoing the nose, a
little touch of fruit jelly
reminding you of the
ripe fruits, closing with
citrussy lift keeping
this fresh to the end.
Very nice carry and
length. Lots to enjoy.
2023 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Gorgeous nose of
warm baguette, gunflint,
fragrant flowers, more
in the tropical fruit than
gooseberry spectrum,
green herb elements,
too. Quietly sumptuous
palate, beautiful balance
and integration, a sense
of effortlessness to this.
Hints of clotted cream,
nutty (almond?)
nuances, green herb,
this is not your
"typical" SB but
wonderful in its point of
difference.
