World Wine –

Wine Spectator – Steely, with lemon pith, gooseberry and fleur de sel notes streaking over a flinty spine. An echo of lemon curd in the background adds nice contrast.

Allen Meadows – This wine comes from the two districts of Bué and Sancerre, from vines that are between 30 and 60 years old. A blend of richness and a tight mineral structure, it is a firm wine, full of white fruit and likely to age well. Drink from 2018.

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.

Wine Spectator – A taut, bony style, with a talc frame around the lemon zest, gooseberry and flint notes. This has length and cut, leaving a mouthwatering feel.

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.

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 – How to describe this Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough's Catalina Sounds? Herbaceous! Pineapple sage and cut herbs spill from the glass with gooseberry and green capsicum. There is a whisper of passionfruit with green melon skipping through late. Well made and well balanced, it's clean and crisp with refreshment bursting at the seams. Drink now. qwinereviews.com, 15 August, 2021

Huon Hooke – Gentle, moderately soft sauvignon blanc with passionfruit, lemongrass, red capsicum, guava, ginger and citrus flavours. There was 30% fermented in large French oak casks to build texture and complexity. The wine certainly has good weight and a silken texture. (Bob Campbell, The Real Review, 7 July, 2021)

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

The Wine Front – Bannockburn has never done things by halves when it comes to its sauvignon blanc. This 2017 release was made in three separate batches: one partially destemmed with skin contact, one barrel fermented and the third fermented in tank. It’s low in alcohol, but almost sweet with fruit ripeness. Sweet fruit but cutting acidity. Fun and then serious. Lemon, almonds, florals and metal. Red apples and rose petals. It’s as much nuance as drive, though there’s plenty of the latter. In all honesty – and we don’t say this often of sauvignon blanc – it needs a little time. Though there is a great deal to admire here. And that’s without mentioning the check of chubbiness to the texture, which works a treat.