New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marathon!

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marathon! – Episode #390

January 21, 2008

Gary gets serious and goes through a bunch of NZ sauv blancs!

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Comments on this episode(219) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: I havent had enough to really answer that, but I did have a Vil…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“Best SB I had while I was in NZ (and I had quite a few) was Mount Rile…” by Charlie
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Arona Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Tohu Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 New Harbor Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Chasing Venus Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc IconNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Discovery Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Kim Crawford Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

219 Responses

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January 21, 2008

Andrew H.
QOTD: Still fairly new and unfortunately I haven’t had an opportunity to try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc yet. Will definitely try soon.
January 21, 2008

HungryChuck
wow GV you’re all “grassed” out!….. qotd 2004 White Haven – Had a unique peach nose – grass in the background and a nice citrus finish….
January 21, 2008

Bonzo
Mahi 2006! Razor sharp!! Also, Allan Scott 2005, but not quite as much.
January 21, 2008

Grapestompper (Dave)
Good episode but I am very deficient in my Sauvgnon Blanc tasting. I have to make a concerted effort to try more.

QOTD: Don’t think I’ve ever even had one from NZ. I have a project now.
January 21, 2008

Senator
QOTD: Probably the 2006 Silver Birch.
January 21, 2008

ScottG
Forgot one thing on earlier post…A good read is Eric Arnold’s First Big Crush–about a year in NZ with Allan Scott. It’s pretty raunchy, but I liked the detail he provides about everything from how they decide what canes to prune to the actual making of the wine.
January 21, 2008

Dave Canada
BIg line up!
QOTD – Probably Kim Crawford…….don’t drink that many. I am the guy who drinks them mostly in summer….. I know…I am working on it!
January 21, 2008

ScottG
QOTD: Not being a big white wine fan, I discovered NZ Sauv. Blanc just a few years ago. I like Nobilo Regional Collection (the less expensive ones). I like the 2004 the best, followed by 2005 then 2006 (hope that’s not a trend). It’s a great wine for a warm, sunny Northwest summer day.
January 21, 2008

Rajiv A.
Question: When you say “razor-sharp”, do you mean high acidity? a clean acidic finish? focused aromas?

Can a wine be razor sharp and yet complex?

QOTD: Never tried a NZ Sauv Blanc. I have tried one Sancerre: an 06 Carrou. It was pricey ($13/half). I was puzzled because I got no grapefruit/grass (save a hint) and mostly nuttiness. It smelled good, but one-dimensional. It was dry, but really creamy on the palate – good body. I wondered if it was oaked, it was so creamy. They said it wasn’t though. Hopefully the next one will have some mineral qualities.

Liked the rant about paying attention to the wine. It made me think about how I’m doing with refining my tasting. It seems like my learning happens in leaps and bounds – I’ll be in the same place for a while, then I’ll finally be able to pay attention to a new aspect of the experience. Take the midpalate aromatics – I just copied your “bird sounds” for a while, though I couldn’t quite focus on the flavors, then one day I really got a good “whiff” of the wine while it was in the mouth, and a lightbulb clicked! Learning to taste wine is like learning to write with your toes – we’re just not used to using our nose and palate that way!

One thing I never do, however, is look at the wine first. I don’t want to bias my taste/smell, since we tend to rely on sight more than the other two. Also, my dear friend with whom I usually taste is blind, so I feel it’s partly out of respect to her. Which reminds me. Huge props to Michel Chapoutier for the braille labels! That is one trend that should really be spreading to more wineries.
January 21, 2008

JonE
Where’s the freakin legendary Cloudy Bay?? Don’t you think grapefruit and cat pee would make a great martini?

QOTD: 2005 Allen Scott SB. great time with that wine.
January 21, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Not sure I want to call anything my favorite all-time, but I had a 2006 Craggy Range on Christmas Eve that was outstanding and I would love to drink again.
January 21, 2008

yowens
QOTD: Huia or Seresin
January 21, 2008

Mark H
2007 Dog Point, worth every penny, and every second of the acid reflux that follows.
January 21, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: I still haven’t met one I would go back too on a regular basis.
January 21, 2008

wwave
I read a few comments that didn’t seem to jazzed on the NZ SB’s. I must say, it is not my favorite category, but it has its place on a very hot day.

QOTD- Nautilus. I love Loire whites, and you must provide the minerals to intrigue me from NZ.
January 21, 2008

Boog
QOTD: I’ve only had Cloudy Bay and I thought it was VERY good.
January 21, 2008

SoCal
QOTD: So far all I have had is the Kim Crawford…….but I have had so South African SB’s that are good……
January 21, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: I don’t really have a favorite because I have only had one, which was the Villa Maria.
January 21, 2008

BenF
GV great show I don’t think i have a favorite NZ SB. But i will have to pick one up…
January 21, 2008

Canadian Chris
QOTD: Oyster Bay. Nice, clean, refreshing.
January 21, 2008

KyBoy
QOTD: A few years ago Omaka Springs really got me pumped about New Zealand Sauv. Blancs…so for sentimental value, I’ll say Omaka Springs. They’re getting pricey though.
January 21, 2008

Mikie C
qotd: Omaka Springs – Not rated as high as some, but I really like it with summer salads. Mellow times when I tried it, so good memories come with it…

qogv: “Smell, taste, think for a minute or two … and then text yourself if you like it.”

Great advice, gv. I like it when you pontificate and give your commentary – it rounds out the show for me. It’s comments like these that push me to try new things and to think about it. Thanks, man!
January 21, 2008

RANDI
QOTD: hhmmmm….I dont know, but I can tell you that I have 2 bottles of Nobilo (2007) waiting for me..and now I dont care!

Great episode Gary. I watched earlier with my Dad….he loves whites and the Jets..so he immediately took you for a GENIUS!
January 21, 2008

KAllardNYC
Sunday Mountain.

Why is it not carried in the Lib anymore? No ‘06 or ‘07.

The Shadow
January 21, 2008

Harley Stan
WOW that a lot of wine in one episode!
QOTD- No memorable NZ Sauv Blancs in my journal, just one from Chile that I really liked.