A whiff of Marlborough sauvignon blanc speaks unequivocally of summer, with its pungent green aromas, vibrant fruit and refreshing crispness.
Other countries, especially Chile, may aim to produce sauvignon cheaper, but it doesn't have the vibrancy or assertiveness of the real thing from Marlborough.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
It may stick in the purist's throat to recommend a non-vintage NZ-Chile blend of sauvignon blanc, but for a simple drinkable wine with a hint of mineral and creaminess, if not the vibrancy of a typical NZ sauvignon, it's hard to beat this for price.
2 stars (out of 5)
Good value
Now in its 30th vintage, this benchmark wine has all the wonderful aromas and flavours suggesting passionfruit, melon, kiwi and pungent herbs and the crisp, assertive lemony finish typical of Marlborough sauvignon.
4 stars (out of 5)
Average value
Wonderfully pungent and saturated with vibrant melon, passionfruit and mineral flavours, a stylish intensity on the lingering finish.
Full-on Marlborough sauvignon blanc - as good as it gets.
Try with a goat cheese salad.
5 stars (out of 5)
Good value
Hints of sweet tropical fruit with a mineral undertone and a bright, intense finish.
A year's bottle age has mellowed and filled out the palate.
3 stars (out of 5)
Average value
A year's bottle age has mellowed and developed complexities in this wine but there's still bright fruit mellowed by a creaminess and crisp lingering aftertaste.
Match with flat fish cooked in the wine.
3 stars (out of 5)
Average value
From a long-established, reliable producer, this wine oozes ripe fruit with complexities developed with a year's bottle age, and a lovely intense finish.
4 stars (out of 5)
Average value
