($16, Wilson Daniels):  This excellent example of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shows why the category has become so popular.  Aside from the quintessential zing and pungency that seem essentially natural to the grape variety, this has depth and nuances of minerality.  A long and cleansing finish makes it ideal for the dinner table.… Read more

($15, Vineyard Brands): If New Zealand continues to turn out Riesling like this one, it will become known for that varietal in addition to its Sauvignon Blanc.  It delivers a marvelous combination of earthy minerality, lively fruity notes, good concentration and bracing acidity. … Read more

($15, Vineyard Brands):  The 2009 vintage was particularly successful for New Zealand, according to David Strada, the US representative of New Zealand Wine, because there was no rain during harvest.  This wine supports his assessment.  Always a reliable Sauvignon Blanc, Villa Maria’s Private Bin in 2009 has an extra sense of ripeness which gives it a pleasing texture and fuller mouth feel without losing any of the signature zippy citric pungency. … Read more

($22, International Cellars):  This, Nobilo’s top-of-the-line Pinot Noir, emphasizes clean ripe, sweet cherry-like fruit flavors.  Earthy nuances peek out with air.  Supple suave tannins allow immediate enjoyment.  And thankfully, the under-14% stated alcohol allows the varietal character–Pinot Noir as opposed to “Pinot Syrah”–to shine.… Read more

($32, Vineyard Brands):  Central Otago is considered by some the best area in New Zealand for Pinot Noir–although producers in Marlborough or Martinborough would disagree. Peregrine has fashioned a plush ripe–almost sweet–fruit filled wine with mild, silky tannins.  Earthy notes add balance and complexity. … Read more

($20, Vineyard Brands):  Twenty bucks for lovely Pinot Noir–Mohua (pronounced mow-who-a) has given us a Christmas present.  A touch of earthy intrigue adds balance to this fruit-forward Pinot Noir.  The tannins are barely noticeable which allows for immediate enjoyment.  Despite its stated 14% alcohol, it has a lovely laciness that distinguishes it from the heavy overdone style of Pinot Noir flooding the market.… Read more

($32, Vineyard Brands): Although not from a single vineyard, this is one of Villa Maria’s upscale—and excellent—bottlings of Sauvignon Blanc.  From a variety of vineyards in the Awatere region of Marlborough, this Sauvignon Blanc has the hallmark Marlborough grapefuit-like edginess and pungency, but with an unusual density, length and refinement. … Read more

($16, Franciscan Estate): The Marlborough region of New Zealand is best known for Sauvignon Blanc.  Based on this stellar Riesling, it should be known for that varietal as well.  It has an uncommon combination of delicate fruitiness–without sweetness–and an earthy minerality. … Read more

($15, Pasternak Wine Imports): The Awatere Valley, like the Wairau Valley to its north, is a subzone of the Marlborough region on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island and is home to some of that country’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blanc. … Read more

($25, Atlantic Imports): Waiheke Island, located in Auckland harbor on New Zealand’s North Island, has long been known as a prime site for Bordeaux varietals.  Kennedy Point Vineyard, established just in 1996, also planted Syrah and judging from this wine, it was a great choice. … Read more

($15, Franciscan Estate Selections): Although the piercing–almost electrifying-acidic signature of Marlborough speaks loudly and clearly in this wine, there is more going on.  There’s a welcome depth and weight that gives it substance and texture that balances its engaging pungency.  It’s a versatile wine for anything from spicy Asian fare to unadorned seafood.… Read more

($27, Negociants USA): Just as Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation for great Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, located on the southern tip of the North Island, is a leading locale for Pinot Noir. Palliser manages the all too often elusive combination of earthiness with both dried and fresh fruit flavors.… Read more

($13, Fosters Wine Estates): It’s ironic that New Zealand’s signature wine, Sauvignon Blanc, usually associated with the Marlborough region on the South Island, was actually introduced into the country by Matua Valley Winery on the North Island in the 1970s.  Matua has subsequently purchased vineyards in Marlborough and makes a terrific Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown there. … Read more

($15, Uniqco Inc.): Now that Allan Scott’s son, Joshua, has joined him in the business, they’ve added Family to the label.  The wines continue to deliver great enjoyment.  In addition to the expected zip and bite associated with Sauvignon Blanc grown in Marlborough, this wine delivers a subtle creaminess and has a mouth-filling texture. … Read more

($45, RO Imports): Wines like this one will help New Zealand shed its image of just producing superb Sauvignon Blanc.  This dry and lively Riesling has the edgy tension between fruit and acid that keeps you coming back for another sip. … Read more

($18, Vineyard Brands): The pleasant bite of lime-like flavors and the accompanying zesty pungency screams Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.  The freshness and cutting aspect of this consistent crowd-pleaser is hard to beat, especially with simple seafood or Asian cuisine. 88 Michael Apstein Jan 27, 2009… Read more

($30, Pasternak Wine Imports): Hawke’s Bay, a relatively warmer area on New Zealand’s North Island, is making a name for itself as a place for high quality red grapes.  This hodge-podge blend of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Syrah (12%) and Malbec (10%) actually works. … Read more

($17, Icon Estates): This wine helps New Zealand shake the image that it only produces one wine, Sauvignon Blanc.  Kim Crawford, one of Marlborough top producers, combines an engaging creaminess with a dollop of pear and stone fruit flavors buttressed by vibrant acidity. … Read more

($15, Vineyard Brands): The next time someone asks the question, ‘Can you recommend a good $15 wine?’ this one goes to the top of the list.  A blend of mostly (86%) Merlot, it has a gorgeous floral nose, a healthy dose of herbal, non-fruit flavors to add complexity and lovely balance.… Read more

($25, Vineyard Brands): While Marlborough region is known for Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago and Martinborough areas for Pinot Noir, George Fistonich, managing director of Villa Maria, says that Hawkes Bay, located on the North Island, is ‘good for everything’ because of its multitude of microclimates. … Read more

($17, Baystate Wine Company): The cutting–almost electrifying–edge emblematic of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough region of New Zealand blasts from the glass.  But the real treat is flavor in the mid-palate, often a void in many New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Its laser-like character is carried nicely into the finish.… Read more

($15, Baystate Wine Company in MA, Henry Wine Group in CA): Although Allan Scott has branched out with terrific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, his signature Sauvignon Blanc has not suffered.  It remains one of the best Sauvignon Blancs coming from the Marlborough region. … Read more

($15, Baystate Wine Company in MA, Henry Wine Group in CA): In my opinion, with the exception of Chablis, Chardonnay usually needs a little oak aging or other techniques, such as malolactic fermentation or lees stirring, to add complexity, so I was skeptical about this wine. … Read more

($22, Baystate Wine Company in MA, Henry Wine Group in CA): Pinot Noir is finally making a name for itself in Marlborough.  As producers have planted clones more suitable for still rather than sparkling wines and the vines have matured, the quality of Pinot Noir coming out of Marlborough has increased dramatically. … Read more

($18, Foster’s Wine Estates): Matua’s Paretai–which means river bank–is another extraordinary value from this producer.  Their best Sauvignon Blanc, it has unusual texture and weight without sacrificing rapier-like acidity.  Minerality and creaminess are intertwined creating complexity rarely seen at this price.… Read more

($20, Foster’s Wine Estates):  The Marlborough region is battling Martinborough and Central Otago for the title of Pinot Noir capital of New Zealand.  If the region keeps producing wines like this and at this price, it will be declared the winner. … Read more

($12, Foster’s Wine Estates): With the soaring popularity of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it is increasingly difficult to find good, let alone terrific, ones at this price.  So don’t miss this one.  Although New Zealand’s best and most vibrant Sauvignon Blancs come from the Marlborough region, located on the South Island, it was Matua who started it all when they planted Sauvignon Blanc in 1970 at their home base, just west of Auckland on the North Island. … Read more

($30, Whitehaven Wine Co. USA): Whitehaven Wine Company):  This good, solid Pinot Noir is filled with bright cherry flavors balanced by excellent acidity.  It lacks complexity at this stage, but is certainly satisfying now and I suspect it will evolve nicely over the next 6 months.… Read more

($21, Kobrand): Craggy Range makes some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand.  Combine their consistency with a superior vintage, such as 2006, and you have this remarkable wine.  They have achieved a lovely balance between herbaceousness, a flinty minerality, and cutting citric acidity. … Read more

($25, Kobrand): Craggy Range emphasizes the uniqueness of place–like the French–and focuses their efforts on producing wines from individual (and presumably distinctive) vineyards.  They emphasize this philosophy with the labeling: the precise composition of the blend–in this case Merlot, 77%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 11%, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, 6% each–is found on the back label. … Read more

($22, Whitehaven Wine Co. USA): This is another example of how the Marlborough region of New Zealand continues to produce riveting Sauvignon Blanc.  Whitehaven, always a reliable label, has produced a citric-laced wine with a cutting edginess. 89 Michael Apstein Feb 27, 2007… Read more

($15, American Wine Distributors): I have a fondness for Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand.  This one is particularly attractive and supports what many New Zealand producers have told me, ‘2006 is a great year in Marlborough.’  It certainly has the zing and freshness you’d expect from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but it also has minerality and length to accompany the herbal notes, which makes it especially appealing.… Read more

($16, W. J. Deutsch and Sons): The Marlborough region of New Zealand, famed for its electrifying style of Sauvignon Blanc, is divided into two valleys, the Wairau, where it all started, and the Awatere.  I can’t identify a consistent style yet to distinguish the wines of one valley from those of another so I lump them together as ‘Marlborough,’ which is identifiably unique as a source by contrast to other sources of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. … Read more

($17, Vincor USA):

As a group, Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand are highly consistent and rewarding.  Crawford’s 2006 goes a step beyond, combining minerality, a grapefruit skin-like flavor and length with the region’s signature bracing citric component.… Read more

($16, Franciscan Estate Selections): A classic example of racy Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region, the 2006 Drylands has attractive pungency and length that makes it a perfect choice for Asian spiced food. 88 Michael Apstein Dec 5, 2006… Read more

($50, Kobrand): I usually find wine packaged in heavy, oversized bottles to be overpriced and disappointing-the 2000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild was a distinct exception.  Here’s another exception.  A blend of mostly Merlot with a little Cabernet Franc to lend complexity, Craggy Range’s 2004 Sophia is big and powerful, but not overdone. … Read more

($60, Kobrand): This wine, Craggy Range’s single vineyard Chardonnay, is an elegant expression of the grape. In addition to its creamy, grapefruit flavors, it has real finesse as opposed to the obviousness that is all-too-common in the market today. 90 Michael Apstein Oct 10, 2006… Read more

($16): It’s a shame that Allan Scott’s wines lack the visibility of many other New Zealand wineries, because his Sauvignon Blanc ranks with the best that region has to offer. The 2005 has real depth and an awakening grapefruit rind bite in the finish to match the quintessential electrifying acidity.… Read more

($16, E&J Gallo): It has the piercing citric — really limey — character we have grown to expect from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but a touch of minerality amplifies its appeal. 91 Michael Apstein May 16, 2006… Read more

($16): While many Marlborough Sauvignons grab and then pierce your tongue, Jackson Estate’s 2004 conveys a different style; mostly, I think, because of the extra year of age. Not quite as electrifying, but still plenty lively and fresh, its earthy minerality captivates and adds complexity.… Read more

($60, Kobrand): Craggy Range Winery, an outstanding producer specializing in wines from single vineyards, has entered the upscale Syrah sweepstakes with their Le Sol offering. Their philosophy is that unique wines arise from unique growing conditions; hence their single vineyard focus.… Read more