Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012

This is classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, in fact Whitehaven has been one of our favorites for some time. Classic grapefruit and gooseberry with crisp acidity and a lingering finish.

Vibrant currant-leaf, citrus and gooseberry aromas, with freshly cut herb undertones. A full flavoured, medium bodied wine, with an abundance of archetypal currant and gooseberry flavours, that linger on the dry, clean finish.

GOLD - NZ International Wine Show - Winemakers Notes - Light yellow-green, with a bright clarity. Powerful, lifted notes of gooseberry fruit flavours and grapefruit pith adds to aromas of freshly cut herbs and nettles in the background. The palate is full, fresh and bursting with mouth watering gooseberry, tropical fruit and nettle flavours with a clean, crisp acid finish.

A lovely expression of Sauvignon Blanc, this bottling features the classic notes of gooseberry and cut grass on the nose but in a cool, ripe register that also hints at white cranberries with crisp citrus notes. In the mouth this is a textbook Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, zippy with lovely citrus flavors supported by bright acidity in a medium-bodied style, finishing dry with a subtle mineral note that makes this is a natural match for lighter summer fare.

This open-textured style appeals with generous pear and passion fruit flavors, mingling nicely on the polished, refined finish. Drink now.

Bright, pale yellow. Slightly high-toned aromas of gooseberry, jalapeno and kiwi. Juicy and tactile, with pungent, rather uncompromising sauvignon flavors of citrus peel and pepper. The dusty finishing flavors of spice and jalapeno have real bite. Not for the fainthearted, but this rather extreme style of sauvignon does not lack for sweetness of fruit.

With 75,000 cases of this wine now coming to the U.S., it has to be one of the more ubiquitous New Zealand offerings. Thankfully, the quality is very good, with ripe nectarine aromas and flavors touched by just a slight varietally correct grassiness. Long and mouthwatering on the finish.