TOP SAUVIGNON BLANC
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Foundation Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) -2 $28.90 ★★★★★
BLOCK 1 WAS ONCE part of the Wairau flood plain in Marlborough; though the site is now protected thanks to a stopbank, the years of annual flooding have built highly fertile, deep, free-draining soils. The team at Saint Clair credit this with helping to produce intensity and flavour in the grapes grown here. They believe it to be the building block for some of their finest wines and there is no question that the proof of that calibre is reflected in our judges’ thoughts on this wine. Judge Jo Gear said, “This is the quality of Marlborough sauvignon blanc the world needs to see.”
The excellence of senior winemakers Stewart Maclennan and Hamish Clark and the team at Saint Clair Family Estate has also been lauded by head judge Ben Glover. Ben praised their exceptional work in championing Marlborough sauvignon blanc through unique site selection and their skill in discovering a “vast array of aromas and flavours which they mould into some exceptional sauvignon blanc.”
This wine has vibrancy and poise intertwined with ripe blackcurrant, white-floral meadow hay and pungent but subtle passionfruit, all the while not forgetting the customary gooseberry which is present but not dominating, just sitting quietly in the mix. The length and complexity of the palate is jaw dropping. With wonderful savouriness, a dry, citrus-quenching, refreshing mouthful that lingers with remarkable tension and pop. This sauvignon quite simply has it all. Truly, the best of 2020.
2 / Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ - 3 $34.90
Freshly cut limes, a dash of mint and a pinch of tomato leaf develop through the nose conjuring up visions of country roads lined with white clover. Thirst-quenching jucidity – a word Ben Glover has created to describe the heavenly cocktail of acid and juiciness – is omnipresent in this wine complete with balance, length and power.
Thank you to San Pellegrino for supplying the water to our tasting panel.
3 / Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Nelson) ★★★★★ - 3 $22.00
Incredible herb and pea-tendril greens with a touch of jalapeño pepper to keep things interesting on the nose. A wonderful savoury length along with a clean, pristine palate and an excellent dry finish. Refreshing with a touch of lip-smacking wet river-stone flavour to finish. Superb.
4 / Jackson Estate Grey Ghost Barrique Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ - 2 $29.00
The ideal wine to reveal the virtues of bottleaged, barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc. Aromas of cut straw and hay, roasted wild fennel seed and yellow gooseberries. This palate has poise, layers of nutty complexity and white stone fruits supported by elegant acidity. Defying age as an extremely vibrant and youthful 2016 vintage.
5 / Saint Clair Pioneer Block 20 Cash Block Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ - 3 $28.90
This sauvignon has all the ‘usual suspects’ that make it quintessentially Marlborough – punchy boxhedge, grassy greens, fresh herbs and snowdrop notes on the nose which follow seamlessly through to the palate. The mouthfeel is delightfully all encompassing; elegant, supple and persistent with great tension. Cool-climate Marlborough sauvignon blanc right in the zone.
6 / Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ - 2 $28.90
An ethereal combination of citrus peel, blackcurrant leaf and snow pea on the nose which intrigues and entices you to take your first sip. The flavours on the palate most definitely do not disappoint with juicy bright acid and both yellow and green citrus notes present among the fleshy complexity which ultimately leads to a refined and satisfying finish.
The good news is that the fruit of 2020 has been lauded by viticulturists and winemakers alike as some of the best they have ever seen.
7 / Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ - 2 $28.90
This sauvignon manages to be intense and elegant all at once – a noble accomplishment. Tropical passionfruit with freshly crushed herbs, a hint of green leaf and blackcurrant mingle along the palate. The flavour combination initially grabs you making you sit up to pay attention, but then settles across the palate into a long and lingering finish.
8 / Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 1 $16.00
Gentle white floral aromas and ripe stone fruit combine with freshly squeezed grapefruit zest on the nose and provide a fantastic introduction to the gorgeously refined, textured and juicy supple palate. Oh so refreshing and an ideal sunny afternoon elixir.
9 / Domain Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Central Otago) ★★★★ - 2 $23.00
An interesting and inviting smoky clove note on the nose mixes with gentle forest greens, tropical fruits and white blossom notes giving a sense of early-summer evenings spent outdoors. Supremely elegant with a juicy palate holding everything together in balance and highlighting this wine’s tension and texture.
10 / Rohe-dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2020 ★★★★ - 3 $24.90
The magnificent and intense aromas of grapefruit, tomato leaf, sea air and oyster shell should overpower but work in perfect harmony on the nose. An equally impressive flavour profile on the palate enhances and reinforces each aroma in this powerfully built and flavoursome wine. Unapologetically Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
11 / Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 3 $20.00
Fresh green-leaf summer salad, salted limes, cantaloupe and guava teem the senses. This sauvignon is so delicious, so invigorating and just so ‘summer in a glass’. Elegant and long with understated finesse on the palate – a sauvignon to while away the hours in the hot summer sun.
12 / The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Marlborough) ★★★★ - 3 $22.00
A very smart example of sauvignon. Tropical aromas mingle with lime notes and a slight hint of lanolin on the nose. The palate shows off fine green characters with grapefruit and relaxed melon notes together delivering a polished, supple, long and elegant thirstquenching, mouth-watering wine.
Bladen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ★★★★ - 3 $25.00
Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 2 $16.00
Delta Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 4 $20.00
Inviniti Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 1 $18.00
Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 2 $20.00
Maui Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2020
★★★★ - 2 $19.00
Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 2 $19.00
Round Theory Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 1 $23.00
Saint Clair James Sinclair Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 2 $24.90
Saint Clair Origin Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 3 $19.90
Seifried Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2020
★★★★ - 2 $19.00
Tiki Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
★★★★ - 3 $20.00
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019
★★★★ - 2 $23.00
Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough) ★★★★ - 1 $20.00
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2019
★★★★ - 1 $18.49
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Marlborough)
★★★★ - 2 $15.95