2021 Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is a vivacious, jump-out-of-bed kind of Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of lively spritz and zesty energy. I wish I had this much get-up-and-go when the alarm clock goes off. There are cool, green flavors reminiscent of capsicum alongside passionfruit and pure citrus. Light in body, this is neither the most concentrated nor the most long-lasting Sauvignon, but it has enough of what you want and provides a lot of immediate fun and flavor.
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full bottle 1,300 g. From their Seaview vineyard. Their tech sheet notes: 'This is the earliest harvest on record since our inception. There were late spring frosts in Marlborough and some challenging weather over the flowering period, which resulted in moderate crops throughout the region. ... We had clear warm days throughout March, so we could pick at our leisure, without any pressure from the elements.' The clear juice underwent fermentation in various temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks using a range of selected yeasts. The wine was then blended, stabilised and filtered in preparation for bottling. pH 3.23, TA 7.6 g/l, RS 4 g/l. In-your-face Sauvignon Blanc. No mistaking the grape variety here: intense aroma of passion fruit and grassy nettles, plus zippy green peapod and capsicum. On the palate, equally intense classic NZ SB flavours. High acid softened by a modicum of residual sugar, which is well integrated here so that it doesn't give that unwanted sweet/sour effect that I come across so often on large-scale NZ Sauvignons. Good intensity and pretty good value for lovers of archetypal NZ SB, especially in a time of shortage. Peapod aftertaste lingers, even a little bit salty. Well made in this style. (JH)