New Zealand sauvignon is generally reliable, but some are more harmonious which givesthem an edge over the mass of savvies out there. The same goes for those interesting ones thathave been barrel fermented with wild yeast, which, in the best ones, enhance their texture, complexity andcharm.
Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $20
Four-and-a-half stars (out of five)
Good value
Aromas suggesting flowering herbs and drops of water on hot river stones, mouthfilling fruit-hinting of capsicum and ripe green kiwifruit, a mineral edge, and an exuberant, zingy but harmonious finish. Delicious.
Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $19
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Suggestions of mineral, green capsicum and sweet gooseberry with a taut, crisp finish.
Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $22
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
A fragrant wine with oodles of mouthfilling fruit - passionfruit, citrus and, golden kiwi, a hint of creamy nuttiness and an intense, bright, long finish.
Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $23
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
Fragrant with ripe fruit - passionfruit, lime and gooseberry and an underlying hint ofmineral and herbs, with a crisp, zingy but attractive finish.
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon 2009, $37
Five stars (out of five)
Good value
A complex wine, aromatic with green fruits and an underlying pungency, mouthfilling fruit-hinting of golden peach, lemon and creme brulee with a savoury, textural undertone anddelicious, long, harmonious finish.
Seresin Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009, $55
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
Another superb wild yeast sauvignon with floral hints perfumed with beeswax, green woodsmoke, broad mouth filling fruit (golden peach and greengage) with undertones of mineral, atight texture and dry finish. Should develop with a year or two's bottle age.
ANOTHER GLASS
Rockferry Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009, $25
Three stars (out of five)
Below average value
Lightly pungent with oodles of passionfruit and mango, a hint of dustiness from some barrel fermentation and a slightly bitter, mineral undertone with an assertive but not aggressive finish.
Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $37
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
You could easily mistake this Hawkes Bay sauvignon for a chardonnay with its creamy toasty oakiness and nutty, vanilla hints. The producers describe it as more like Bordeaux than thecrisp herbal wines of Sancerre (the two French regions famous for sauvignon blanc). However,the following day the oak influence had mellowed and it developed into a well balanced dry white with a crisp, lively finish that went well with food.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tastingand evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
