It’s the trickle before the flood as more and more new releases make their way to market.
Diversity seems to be the byword for today, diversity by region and certainly diversity by style with several capturing that fresh, zesty character so typical of the grape, while others look to sashay down a more food-friendly path.
What was that term ... "different strokes for different folks"?
2023 Craggy Range
Te Muna Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Delightful nose of cut
grass, nettle,
gooseberry and citrus
flecks paired with sweet,
ripe fruit. A core of
acidity driving the citrus
and cut grass elements
on the medium-weight
frame. With the nettle
and powerfully tangy
palate it’s reminiscent of
Marlborough of old.
Really grows with
aeration, building flavour
while the acidity marries
nicely, a nice improver.
2022 Misha’s Vineyard
The Starlet Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Fascinatingly different,
hints of caramel &
clotted cream amid
nettle and wild herb
notes. Richly textured,
creamy front palate
echoing the characters
on the nose. As it opens
up, green herb and citrus
zestiness frame the
close, while a touch of
apple comes into play.
The richness a great foil
for food, the raciness
enhancing aperitif
qualities.
2021 Pegasus Bay
Whole Bunch Fermented Sauvignon
Rating Excellent
Bold and pungent nose
leaps out of the glass.
Gunflint, wild herbs,
grilled red pepper,
smoke, a toasty quality,
honey and pea-pod with
time. Coiled power to the
palate, green bean, pea-
pod and gooseberry
bound together by crisp
& vibrant acidity.
Chewiness and almost
tannic grip underpinning
things before the long,
fresh close. Complexity,
draws you in.
2021 Te Kano
Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
A slatey/schisty
influence, truffle shifting
to orange zest and
cream before wild herbs
kick in. Sweet fruit core,
wisps of toffee, perhaps
coffee and coconut
before the grass and
green herbs get into
their work. That sweet
fruit shows tropical
elements, full of flavour,
the palate creamy and
supple with neat acid
balance. Long, fresh,
herb fleck close, a
winning combo.
2022 Montana Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Immediately SB with its
pungent cut grass and
herbs, yet there’s musk,
perfume and capsicum
following. Crunchiness
to the palate, an almost
tingly quality, apple,
wild herbs, bramble
shifting to broad bean.
A wisp of fruit pith
chewiness adds to the
texture. Ripe yet fresh,
picking up a hint of
apricot on the close.
Post reveal, good VFM
here, lots of appeal.
2023 Jules Taylor
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Nice interplay between
citrus, cut grass/herbs
and a hint of dry honey,
perhaps wood smoke
too, sugar-snap pea
with aeration. Fresh &
racy palate, echoing the
nose, picking up goose
berry as it opens out.
Heart on its sleeve stuff,
classically Marlborough
SB, just begging to be
opened and enjoyed.
The roundness and
sheer drinkability has
pushed my score up.
2022 Rockburn
Central Otago Fumé Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
A schisty, minerally,
gravelly influence, nettle
red apple, flecks of red
capsicum and pea-pod,
a smoky nuance.
A creamy front palate
before a rush of stony
minerality, tea leaf,
stonefuits amid a
backdrop of green herb,
a bittersweet hint.
This might surprise the
SB purist, but there’s
such intrigue, character
and lovely balance.
Undeniably complex.
2022 Jules Taylor
OTQ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
The nose offers quince,
grapefruit like citrus,
capsicum, gooseberry
and cut grass. The palate
continues the theme,
managing a balancing
act between depth of
flavour and yet elegance.
The citrus shifts to
lemon, the flavours grow
nicely, filling the mouth,
adding a wisp of caramel
with delightful freshness.
Not trying to be a ball-
tearer, but deceptively
complex.
