Our most visible wine region internationally — fuelling our exports of Sauvignon Blanc — is facing similar headwinds to the rest of the country, with a decline in wine consumption and United States tariffs among other things putting a handbrake on sales.
With an oversupply of wine in tank currently, I’ve heard all sorts of figures bandied around, with one suggestion that fully 25% of the crop won’t be picked this harvest, while a number of properties are for sale if you chose to ask.
For the consumer this is likely to lead to some sharp pricing as wineries quit inventory. For growers and wineries, some sadly may be forced to shut, but the tough and the nimble will find ways to ride out this cycle in the hope of better times ahead.
2025 Cicada Green Grocer Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Classic nose of cut
grass and capsicum,
a wisp of fruit pastille,
gooseberry
developing as it
opens. The palate
continues the
journey, adding nettle
influences. Supple
and very
approachable, now
the green capsicum
comes to the fore,
the crisp acidity more
evident, this ticks all
the right boxes for
drinking now.
2024 Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Bright and aromatic,
perfumed, honeysuckle,
almost honeyed, citrus
aspects and grassy
notes grow, the fruit
hinting tropical. Supple
entry, the fruit again
leaning tropical with a
wisp of ripe gooseberry.
A generously, ripely
fruited style with crisp
acidity kicking in. The
nose is a real star here,
while the palate adds
depth and freshness as
it opens. Really nicely
done.
2025 Misha’s Vineyard The Starlet Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Another perfumed
example, then bramble
and herb, a touch of
lemon zest, cut grass
now. Sweetly fruited,
mouthfilling, hints of
apricot, a stony nuance,
this is rather engaging.
There’s a delightfully
zesty, tangy quality
contrasting the ripe
fruit, a refreshing core
of acidity for sure but
never ‘sharp’. Long,
long close. I suspect a
glass of this will vanish
before you know it.
2025 Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
The aromas. leap from
the glass, classic
gooseberry, cut grass
and passionfruit notes
that will thrill SB
lovers. The palate
continues the theme,
gooseberry to the fore,
a splash of lime and
crushed herb, a
lightness of touch at
first but it’s just taking
a breath before this
swells in the mouth,
blossoming with air,
gaining richness and
depth flowing to a
sweetly fruited close.
2025 Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Lovely aromatics to this,
floral and perfumed
initially, then notes of
capsicum and snow
pea, a cooling quality,
perhaps a wisp of fresh
mint? The palate hits the
refreshment factor with
real juiciness and an
almost crunchy feel in
the mouth. A sense of
delicacy, it’s brimming
with flavour yet far from
bombastic. Wonderful
balance, completeness
and length, it draws you
back for more.
2025 Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Bright, vibrant nose, ripe
gooseberry, a touch of
smoke/wet wool, spices,
preserved lemon,
capsicum and cut grass
developing with air.
Ripely fruited, flitting
between tropical fruit and
gooseberry, a grassy
undertow, this hits the
classical SB buttons but
with a bit of class. A little
prickle on the palate, just
bursting with flavour,
great intensity and carry.
2025 Hunter’s Offshoot Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
This hits some different
buttons, honeycomb,
grapefruit, green herb
and pea pod notes the
backdrop, an almost
earthy note later. Tacking
away on the palate to
wet stone minerality,
lemon, greengage plum,
gooseberry coming
through with air. A lot of
complexity and interest
here, depth of flavour
without ever being OTT.
A lovely, long, dry zesty
close as the acidity kicks
into gear.
2024 Blank Canvas Abstract Three Rows Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Outstanding
Simply wonderful nose.
Gunflint/smoke,
honeyed nuances,
bready/brioche
characters, chopped
herb, straw, now citrus,
so complex. Very
mouthfilling, clotted
cream leesy aspects,
caramel, burnt bramble
and herb coming into
play. So different to your
average SB with texture
and depth of flavour yet
also a refreshing quality.
Great length, a
fascinating wine.
