2011 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Section 94 is just now being slowly released. At the time of its "normal release" in 2013, the wine was deemed too reductive to appease the general palate. Today, at 14 years from its harvest, the wine is only just showing a hue of honey in the glass, and the nose offers us fresh-picked curry leaf, salted preserved lemon, candle wax and white peach. There's something minty in there too and star anise, fennel seed and white pepper. On the palate, the fruit is rich and powerful, with a thunderous sense of phenolic structure and presence. The reduction does permeate the palate, but it expresses in a waxy, dry way. The fruit evolution appears to be unfolding at a dramatically slow pace. This is very, very impressive. There are rambunctious reduction notes, but for those who love that, this will seriously please and titillate. 14% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow. Reduced, wild scents of pineapple and spices, along with a high-toned leesy element. Densely packed and impressively concentrated, showing a distinctly saline quality. Today the wine's fruit is blocked by reduction. (A second bottle was even more reduced, and slightly bitter-edged on the finish.)
“The most complex of Marlborough sauvignons is looking the goods in this warmer vintage. There's a heady reductive layer that delivers flinty grapefruit notes and lemon pith. The palate texture is superb; starts on point and builds weight and layers of texture through the mid-palate with abundant gooseberry and lime flavor, then finishes pure, focused and true. Drink now.” www.jamessuckling.com