Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014

91
Spy Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: Classic New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Gooseberries and red grapefruit dominate the nose. Full bodied and smooth. Good acidity and balance. Rich, viscous mouthfeel.
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Silver Beach Sauvignon Blanc 2013

91
Silver Beach
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Aromas of passion fruit and grapefruit with plenty of citrus and melon flavors shining throughout. Crisp and concentrated. Works well with Asian cuisine.
Silver Beach Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2014

91
Mudhouse
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, mineral and grass. Lip-smacking thirst quencher. Great with goat cheese appetizers.
Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Grey Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2014

90
Grey Rock
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: Fragrant notes of lime, pear and minerals that are reminiscent of a cool ocean breeze; it possesses delightful flavors of citrus, passion fruit, and almonds that linger all the way through to the crisp finish.
Grey Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Grey Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2014

91
Grey Rock
Fanciful Name: Reserve
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $26

Tasting Notes: Charming aromas and flavors of lemon, tart orange, and gooseberries; this vibrant, layered sauvignon blanc is a joy to drink all the way through to its harmonious finish.
Grey Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Governors Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014

90
Governors Bay
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Dried apricot and honeysuckle add complexity to the passion fruit and citrus fruit flavors. It possesses a gratifyingly crisp finish that is pure, clean and just plain delicious.
Governors Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013

91
Brancott Estate
Fanciful Name: The Original Marlborough
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: Pale straw in color with green highlights. Grapefruit and passion fruit taste with a crisp and refreshing finish. Good with grilled oysters, white fish or Mediterranean dishes.
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2014

92
Whitehaven
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: Pale gold in the glass, this is a delicious example of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Citrus fruit is accented by typical grassiness. Fresh and bright on the palate; the finish is long and balanced.
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay 2014

95
Mt. Beautiful
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Canterbury
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: This will draw attention to the lovely Chardonnays produced in New Zealand that haven’t received accolades they deserve. From certified-sustainable vineyards, this is a rather New World/Old World style. It has nuances of wildflowers, mineral and under-ripe fruit on the nose. These nuances continue on the palate, but then fruit flavors become lush and mouth filling. The finish is long and lively with racy sweet/tart acidity and a hint of lemon/grapefruit. Pair this with pork or fowl with a fruit glaze, or enjoy it as an aperitif.
Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay 2014

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2013

93
Loveblock
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlborough
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This new effort from Kim Crawford’s hilltop vineyards has a welcoming appeal. It is not the one-note, citrus/grapefruit style that pervades New Zealand sauvignon blancs, but rather a lush, aromatic quaff with notes of passion fruit, peach and mandarin orange. A perfect accompaniment to Thai dishes, sushi and soft-shell crabs.
Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2012

93
Cloudy Bay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlbourough
Retail Price: $35.99

Tasting Notes: New Zealand is not always the first place you think of when someone says “great Chardonnay,” but with wines like the 2012 Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, it should be in the conversation. Intensely fruity, showing more citrus than most Chardonnay, Cloudy Bay makes a well-balanced, Chardonnay-lovers dream at a value that is hard to match. One of the world’s premier Sauvignon Blanc producers is throwing its name in the hat for Chardonnay of the highest quality — and is on point.
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2012

Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2013

92
Astrolabe
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Appellation: Marlbourough
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: A wonderful example of a New Zealand pinot noir. It possesses lots of great pinot character, with red fruit and texture on the palate. Plenty of flavor, with an underlying acidity and tannic backbone that contribute to its complexity.
Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2013