Sauvignon Blanc

The Wine Front – ‘Savouriness’ is the x-factor, perhaps. Some judicious lees, barrel or ‘work’ in winery to extract a little more than fruitiness. Here’s a good example. It’s hard to put a finger on it but there’s just something ‘really good’ about this wine. Pitch perfect tropical fruit, citrus, florals and faint nuttiness in perfume. The palate has enough volume to offer power and depth, some saline mineral charm, fresh fruitiness and great length, but in amongst all that it feels fresh and so very easy to drink.

James Suckling – This has such attractive, pungent and intense passion-fruit, lime and gooseberry aromas. Very pure on the palate with fresh, zesty lime and passion-fruit flavors. On good form here.

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The Pouilly-Fume Tradition has much less of the green flavors often connected with this appellation. Instead, it is rather floral, displays more yellow colored fruit aromas (also citrus), whereas the fascinating foundation is built up by crushed limestone rocks. On the palate this is an expressive and powerful, yet elegant and persistent Pouilly that is still young and should benefit from further bottle age. Beautifully balanced, though it does not lack a thrilling structure. Since this wine does not cost a fortune, I highly recommend seeking it out.

James Halliday – Wild yeast-fermented in French barriques and aged on lees for 12 months. It offers a rare combination of elegance and complexity, the latter achieved without any funky/reductive characters, the former with a combination of citrus, white flower and tropical flavours. Still cruising.

The Wine Front – Sauvignon blanc and semillon with some chardonnay, they say. This is the Little Touch Of Christmas label (which is just a festive season alternative). About 20% is barrel fermented. It’s been a winning drink for a long while. Good balance, refreshing feel, easy going texture with a touch of extra interest. There’s good intensity of green pea/grassy semillon and a counter punch of tropical fruity semillon. The palate has good energy, stacks of freshness, dry finish. There’s all the citrus and zestiness to acidity you could ask for. Kind of an old school Margaret River dry white kind of feel, in the best possible way. It’s got plenty of charisma.

James Halliday – Hand-picked and sorted; free-run juice cool-fermented in tank. There is a subliminal savoury edge to the bouquet and palate, possibly from more than one yeast at work, and also to crisp, crunch acidity. You pick up the extra level of flavour from ripe (not overripe) fruit on the back-palate and finish. Has the X-factor many Sauvignon Blancs lack.

World Wine –

Huon Hooke – Weighty, textural sauvignon blanc with lime, grapefruit, passionfruit, feijoa and lemongrass flavours supported by delicious, mouth-watering acidity. A punchy wine that is classically Marlborough. (Bob Campbell The Real Review, 20 October, 2021)

World Wine – “This is yet another exceptional release of a wine that has redefined the definition of world class Sauvignon Blanc in this country. The fruit is undeniably good, and the winemaking the differentiator. A light yellow in colour, slight tropical and herbaceous tones with some grassy and savoury nuance on the nose. There is a lovely density to the wine with apricot and a faint honeyed notes; citrus gives texture and contrast. There is such wonderful length and persistence to finish.” 96 points Patrick Eckel, winereviewer.com.au

Wine Spectator – “There is a beautiful tension and balance to this wine from start to finish. Mid straw in colour, it opens with precise and pure aromas of citrus, floral, cinnamon oak and just ripe passionfruit beautifully offset by savoury cashew barrel ferment complexity. In the mouth, it’s taut, the fruit complex but still reserved and in its shell, only building with time in the glass. Fruit focus is sublime as is the length and balance. Not yet ready to drink but you can already see that this is a standout release for what is consistently an exceptional wine.” 96 points Angus Hughson, Winepilot.com

The Wine Front – Softer style, with richness of flavour and almost creamy to taste. There’s gooseberries, lime, subtle whiff of tomato bush and thistle, but it’s more about fruit than shrubbery. Chalky feel, juicy fruit, and a lime and snow pea infused finish of good length. Altogether good. Composed and stylish.

Wine Spectator – A light straw note frames modest tangerine and grapefruit peel flavors, with a flicker of quinine adding zip to the finish.