2014 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
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Tasting notes
(12.5% alcohol; fermented with wild yeasts, 15% in used barrels): Bright, pale lemon-yellow. Reticent, cool but varietally expressive aromas of lemon, menthol and spices. Broad, salty and bone-dry, with strong underlying acidity to its citrus and white peach flavors. In an uncompromising slightly chalky style and yet this wine shows an umami quality that should make it very flexible at the dinner table. A touch of sulfidey reduction contributes complexity. Finishes dusty and persistent. No rush to drink this. (A second bottle of equal quality showed no reduction and strong mid-palate yellow fruit flavors. While it was a bit less tactile, it was very smooth, fresh and long.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
They are now picking on 'acid ripeness' rather than on 'sugar ripeness' – note the moderate alcohol – and would rather pick a day early rather than a day late. 25 separate parcels, 12% barrel fermented, 8% Sémillon. Fresh grapefruit aroma but a very sweaty character on the palate. Elegant in its lightness but a bit funky and extreme, for now at least, in its reductive notes, hence the minus. Herbal on the finish, revealing the fermentation with ambient yeast. I'm surprised to find it in the 'Classics' tasting but they say it is is 'their version of classic'. (JH)
Redolant of ripe peach, passionfruit, capsicum and fresh herbs, the medium-bodied 2014 Sauvignon Blanc gives a great intensity of crisp, refreshing tropical and herbal flavors, finishing with plenty of zing.