Tonight we’re back to another Sauvignon Blanc, this one from the Marlborough region in New Zealand (as you might have guessed from the title.) This bottle comes from Brancott, a producer with wines from all parts of New Zealand. I’ve previously reviewed the Brancott Unoaked Chardonnay from the Gisborne region of New Zealand and I liked it quite a bit.
I simply couldn’t taste a series of Sauvignon Blancs without including at least one from New Zealand, after all the Marlborough wine region is really known for this variety more than any other. About 65% of the grapes grown in Marlborough are Sauvignon Blanc. The sunny and dry, yet relatively cool growing conditions and soils with low fertility have a reputation for producing Sauvignon Blanc with particularly unique and intense characteristics.
Sauvignon Blanc from this region is often known to have a grassy character and this is no exception to that rule. The nose is primarily cut grass and mineral aromas, with some grapefruit and mango beneath it. The palate has strong mineral characteristics, mango and high acidity. The finish is medium in length and doesn’t bring any real additional complexity. This is a decent Sauvignon Blanc, but doesn’t knock my socks off.
Wine: Brancott
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 86
Price: $11.99
I really liked this wine. I couldn’t get enough of the nose and I found it to be extremely refreshing. It was awesome with sushi. I had a little left over after dinner and on the second day and it had lost all of its zip. What a waste. I wonder if my experience was tainted by the fact that this caught me so off guard. This was my first Sauvignon Blanc so I have nothing to compare it too.