($15, Wilson Daniels):  The Marlborough region of New Zealand’s south island is responsible for the acclaim, enthusiasm, and world-wide excitement for that country’s Sauvignon Blanc.  That region does make distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.  But, as this wine shows, Marlborough does not have a monopoly on distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.  About a third of the Sauvignon Blanc in this wine comes come from Marlborough.  The other two-thirds comes from Gisborne, a warmer area on New Zealand’s north island, which likely explains why this wine has more depth ripeness than many New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  It achieves that extra oomph without losing any of the energy and verve typically associated with the varietal from New Zealand.
92 Michael Apstein Aug 22, 2023