($25, Palm Bay International): The Marlborough region is composed of two principal valleys, the more well-known Wairau, home to Cloudy Bay as well as many others with broad name recognition, the Awatere, just to the south.  Leigh Alderton, Vice-President of Sales for the USA for Peter Yealands, describes it as being cooler, drier, and windier, producing smaller grapes with more concentrated flavors.  He thinks the climate makes the wines “rounder” that the Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau.  To me, the unique aspect of Yealands Estate Single Vineyard is its depth.  To accompany the typical Marlborough electrifying zing is a grapefruit rind-like richness that permeates the palate.  Yes, it’s slightly rounder, but more importantly, it has more character.
93 Michael Apstein May 12, 2015