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.  

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.  

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