This absorbing tasting included wines full of personality, including top-flight examples of South Island syrah, barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc and classy, rich chardonnay and pinot gris from Waiheke Island, in Auckland. You can also check out New Zealand’s highest-priced (by far) bag-in-box wine – an $80 cask, holding two litres of pinot noir from Central Otago. Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available in export markets are shown as (A) Australia; (UK) and (US). Star ratings and reviews are awarded by Michael Cooper with comparable points allocated by the Winestate Editor.
57 TASTED
57 RECOMMENDED
SAUVIGNON BLANC
18 TASTED
18 RECOMMENDED
It’s no surprise that Marlborough wines dominated this class, but Waipara, in North Canterbury, and Martinborough, in the Wairarapa, also showed their ability to produce sauvignon blancs of high quality. Among the top wines were several with varying degrees of fermentation and maturation in oak barrels.
Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ 98Pts
Showing excellent weight and harmony, this fragrant wine was fermented and matured on its full yeast lees for seven months in oak barriques. Bright yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with deep, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, gently seasoned with nutty oak, and a dry, finely textured finish. Drink now or cellar. Certified organic. $32 (A, UK)
Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ 98Pts
This fresh, highly aromatic wine was grown in the central Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys, and mostly handled in tanks, with some indigenous yeast fermentation in old oak barrels. Full-bodied, it is very lively, with concentrated, ripely herbaceous flavours, a touch of complexity, and a crisp, dry, lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2023+. $30 (A, UK, US)
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon 2020 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ 98Pts
Fermented and matured in French oak barriques (mostly old), this wine is drinking well now, but still unfolding. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and harmonious, with concentrated, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and a savoury, tightly structured, long finish. $40 (A, UK, US)
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 6 Oh! Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ 98Pts
