Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from Marlborough wine region in New Zealand, & more.

2021 Ponga Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is not your typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!  If served blind, I would probably guess the Loire Valley in France (the ancestral home to the grape).  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with lots of yellow grapefruits along with a bit of peach and minerality.  Light to medium bodied.  Nice balance.  On the palate, again, lots of yellow grapefruits with some peach and underlying minerality.  Very clean and refreshing finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with lighter foods and especially sea food.  Drink over the next few years.  

2017 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

From Oregon producer Sineann, they also make a line of wines in New Zealand.  This is a delightful and classic style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peaches but also a hint of tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the fruits come thru to match the nose.  More tropical fruit on the finish.  Slightly viscous texture.  Dry.  This is drinking well but probably should be consumed in the next few years.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  

2019 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Sineann is more well known for the Oregon and Washington wines, but they also make this gem in New Zealand.  Owner-winemaker Peter Rosback just can't sit still.  Screw capped.  Silvery/gold in color with a slight copper hue.  The nose is tight upon opening but with a bit of air open to show a nice minerality followed by gooseberries.  With more air a yellow lemonade note become prominent.  This has a lovely oily texture.  On the palate, the lemonade note is there right away followed by gooseberries and an interesting menthol tobacco note.  This has nice acidity.  A long finish that does sho

2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This was the wine that put New Zealand wines on the worldwide map.  That was twenty or thirty years ago (the winery was actually founded in 1985), and it had been a while since I have tried this wine.  And, it is still excellent.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose has tropical fruits and limes.  Very nice.  Clean.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Just a hint of sweetness.  Tropical fruits with slight citrus.  Enough acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks easily on its own.  It will work well with lighter foods, maybe a fruit salad?  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2012 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Grade: 

Sadly, this has not held up.  It was purchased on release and well stored since then.  It is still drinkable but really not why anyone would buy this wine.  Silver/gold in color.  The nose is problematic.  Someone described it as peanut butter and that is close.  I found it more like the skins on roasted peanuts.  In any event it is odd.  Others found it worse.  Perhaps a bit better on the palate, but mostly nondescript.  This was probably much better 6 years ago.  If you own any, no harm in opening now, but have a back up bottle.  

2018 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This turned out to be the group favorite in a tasting of ten New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose has nice grapefruit notes.  On the palate, this has a nice oily texture.  Good minerality.  Lively acidity and a solid finish.  It drinks easy on its own and will go with seafood and lighter foods.  Priced well, this provides lots of pleasure for a reasonable cost for those who like this style.  

2018 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

It was nice to revisit this icon which really started the whole New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc industry.  The truth is, however, this no longer sets itself apart from the pack except for the pricing.  Pale silvery/gold in color.  The nose is lemony and tart.  Those characteristics carry thru to the palate.  Nice acidity.  Solid finish.  This is a very good wine that will work with lighter foods and seafood.  

2016 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is made by Peter Rossback who is better known for his wines from Oregon and Washington in the US.  During his slower season, he heads down to New Zealand where he sources grapes to make Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.  This one is getting a bit long in the tooth and would have been better served being opened a couple of years ago.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose has a bit of gooseberries and minerals but is pretty light.  On the palate, there is some lemon peel and minerals.  Shorter finish.  Nothing bad about this wine but at this age (3 years from vintage), it has lost its zing.  

2017 Loveblock Vintners Ltd Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Pale, silvery gold in color.  The nose has melons with some gooseberries.  Also an underlying minerality.  On the palate, this is slightly tart with a bit of lemon cream pie.  It has a nice creamy texture.  Good finish.  A pleasant wine that should be consumed now.  It will work with lighter foods or on its own.  

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