Winemakers have been pretty chipper about their ’23s, even more excited about their ’24s and it showed in the group today with highlights across the board.
Wherever you are reading this, I hope the sun is shining on you and that you’re happily anticipating a cool glass of SB later in the day.
2024 Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Bright, fresh, ripely
fruited, fruit pastille,
citrus, chopped herb,
lots going on. Really
bright & zesty palate,
hits the refreshment
factor, now showing
ripe gooseberry, red
capsicum with a
backdrop of herb.
Great length &
balance, very
engaging. A delightful
tanginess gathers
hold that gets the
salivary glands
going. Super stuff
that was hard to spit.
2024 Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Youthful nose, wine
gum, before subtle notes
of cut grass, herb &
bramble, elegant rather
than boldly exuberant.
Sweet fruits hit the
mouth, classic
gooseberry &
grassiness, a wee, bright
touch of salinity extra
freshness. The nose
grows with air, the palate
swelling as it develops
creaminess with a crisp,
dry close. Creeps up on
me, garnering my
attention.
2023 Tapi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Fragrant nose, flirts
with a little musk &
orange zest before
typical gooseberry &
grassy notes begin to
assert themselves,
smoke too perhaps.
Lovely flavour depth,
good mouthfeel,
richness and balance,
the fruit ripe but not
over-sweet. The nose
develops a deeper
register, there’s
something about this
that takes a different
path, but a path of
interest.
2024 Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Brightly perfumed nose,
mandarin zest, snow
pea, cut grass,
something spicy, a wisp
of dry honey. This
comes across drier with
lovely acidity driving it.
The palate mirrors the
nose, adding hints of
greengage plum. Each
time I return this grows
perceptibly, flavour
depth, textural richness
and length all
increasing. A stealth
bomber unleashing its
goodness.
2024 Hunter’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Perfumed, gum,
watermelon, a wisp of
musk, classic
grassiness now
getting into its stride.
Ripe, sweet fruits lead
but this comes across
as a drier style, fresh,
bright and engaging.
Youthful, crisp and
developing a
fascinating
bittersweet element
on the close that’s a
nice counterpoint to
the fruit richness.
Sure to please its
legion of fans.
2024 Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Ripe fruits, tropical
suggestions at first
before red apple, then a
more classic
framework, a tickle in
the nose like cracked
pepper. Sweetly fruited,
bright, crunchy, almost
a sweet ’n’ sour thing
going on which gets the
juices flowing. With air,
the nose more subtle,
but the fruit sweetness
surges with red apple
on the close. Lots of
user appeal.
2024 Roaring Meg by Mt Difficulty Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Excellent
Expressive nose,
riffing on the green
theme, bramble, herb,
grass, fresh pea,
apple, a sweet fruit
character, very typical.
Bright, juicy & full of
flavour, gooseberry
nicely to the fore with
a smear of lime juice
and excellent carry,
the flavours hang in
the mouth. Heart on its
sleeve stuff that begs
another glass,
summer sipping writ
large on this.
2023 Pegasus Bay Whole Bunch Fermented Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Outstanding
Lovely volume to the
nose, powerful pea-
pod notes lead,
chopped herb, dry
honey, stone fruit
perhaps. Rich and
creamy, silky palate,
mouthfilling,
wonderful texture and
complexity,
developing a nutty
element. Dry, power
ful, quite a serious
style equally suited to
food. Such generosity
on nose & palate, the
typical SB zestiness
ever more evident as it opens up.
