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.  

2017 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Te Muna Road Vineyard, New Zealand, Martinborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Light yellow in color.  The nose is very nice.  Melons and slight cat pee.  It is a big wine.  With air, the tropical fruit emerges and a bit of grassiness.  On the palate, this has a nice depth.  Melons and slight grapefruits.  Good texture and finish.  That said, I would drink this now and these wines are best enjoyed in their youth.  It will work well with sea foods and other lighter foods.  

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.  

2018 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Te Muna Road Vineyard, New Zealand, Martinborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Light golden in color.  The nose has tropical fruit.  Very friendly.  On the palate, there are some gooseberries and slight grapefruits.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  In our tasting of these, this wine got the most first place votes although the results were varied.  It should be consumed now.  Seafood and lighter foods will be a good match.  

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.  

2017 Domaine Paul Buisse Touraine Sauvignon, France, Lorie, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Lorie Valley in France.  Yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice minerality with crushed shells.  Slight grassiness.  On the palate, this is slightly oily with nice minerality.  Clean finish.  This is a solid wine that is a very nice value at $13.  It will drink well on its own or with lighter foods.  

NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Grand Cordon, France, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Pale silvery/gold in color.  A very nice head of smaller bubbles.  The nose has a nice seltzer quality with good minerality and slight soap.  On the palate, this is clean with good acidity.  Lemons with a slight mint note.  Good finish.  A really nice way to begin an event and share with friends.  Probably better to drink sooner than later.  

2000 Paternoster Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo, Italy, Basilicata, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is from the "arch" of the Italian boot area and made from the Aglianico grape.  It is possibly the best wine from this area but it does take a long time to mature.  At 19 years from vintage, this wine is now in a great place.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, leather, cigar box, and dust.  On the palate, it does show some age but plenty of fresh cherries and black cherries as well over a dry earthy, tobacco quality.  Good acidity, this goes quite well with food.  Nice finish.  It was decanted for sediment and continued to improve for an hour before leveling off.  No

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