MARLBOROUGH

87 TASTED

87 RECOMMENDED

This memorable tasting reflected the favourable nature of the 2020 and 2019 growing seasons in Marlborough. Highlights included the flavour-packed sauvignon blancs from the notably dry 2020 vintage, the dark, rich pinot noirs from the low-yielding 2019 vintage, and the classy, complex pinot noirs from 2017, which now offer delicious drinking.

Underlining the versatility of New Zealand’s largest wine region by far, the tasting also unearthed outstanding examples of chardonnay, gewürztraminer, sweet white wine, sparkling wine, rosé and – the big surprise – syrah.

Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available in export markets are shown as (A) Australia; (UK) and (US).

SPARKLINGS

2 TASTED

2 RECOMMENDED

Hunter’s Miru Miru Reserve 2016 ★★★★★

This richly flavoured sparkling was blended from pinot noir (49%), chardonnay (36%) and pinot meunier (15%) and disgorged after over three years on its yeast lees. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with strong, peachy, yeasty, slightly nutty flavours, showing excellent complexity, harmony and length. $40

Hunter’s Miru Miru NV ★★★★1/2

This vivacious Marlborough bubbly is a blend of chardonnay (50%), pinot noir (46%) and pinot meunier (4%), disgorged after 18 months on its yeast lees. Pale straw, it has strong, citrusy, biscuity, yeasty flavours, showing very good complexity, and a crisp, lingering finish. Fine value. $29 (UK)

SAUVIGNON BLANC

34 TASTED

34 RECOMMENDED

A memorable class, reflecting the positive impact on quality of the unusually dry growing season – from late December to mid-April, the Marlborough region recorded less than a quarter of its normal rainfall. Many of the 2020 sauvignon blancs display notably intense, ripely herbaceous varietal aromas and flavours. The class also included several outstanding, barrelaged wines from earlier vintages.

Ara Resolute Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ★★★★★

Offering delicious drinking from now onwards, this is a single-vineyard, partly barrel-fermented wine. Bright, light yellow/green, with a complex bouquet, it is weighty, ripe and rounded, with concentrated, tropical fruit flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a very harmonious finish. Certified organic. $29

Babich Black Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ★★★★★

Designed for on-premise consumption, this classy, tightly structured, youthful wine is fresh and full-bodied, with generous, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, moderate acidity and a finely poised, dry, lingering finish. $25

Blind River Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ★★★★★

Showing excellent intensity, this single vineyard wine was partly (10%) barrel-fermented. Very fresh and lively, it is full-bodied, with penetrating melon, passionfruit and green capsicum flavours, showing good complexity, and a dry, lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2021+. $30 (A, UK)

Blind River Tekau Awatere Valley Barrel Fermented Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 ★★★★★

Pale gold, this distinctive, weighty, single vineyard wine