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 22, 2008

Jimmy S
I have not been drinking long, but the 2004 Kim Crawford was the first one that I experienced where I was really impressed. I have to agree on the ‘07.
January 22, 2008

Saubrey
Good job with the SB plow. Got a lot knocked out there.

QOTD: Hmmm, really can’t remember. Haven’t had to many SB from NZ, but will definitely be trying to get my hands on the Chasing Venus.
January 22, 2008

Rock n Roll Andy
My favorite S.B. is The Nautalus. I think it even scored 92 points for 13 BONES!!!!
January 22, 2008

TennLee
QoTD: Uh… none. I’m letting my love of red show here!
January 22, 2008

The Fanjestic
QoTd: Kim Crawford, but it has been a little too over the top for my tastes lately. Good Episode but kind of a snooze fest. But very informative.
January 22, 2008

John D Thomas
My favorite NZ SB – 2005 Matua Paretai which is avaiable in the US. Also Dog Point and Drylands is terrific.
January 22, 2008

Michael
I love NZSB!
QOTD: Drylands 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
January 22, 2008

billyg
2006 Babich for about $12 was a good deal. Longer on the finish than most NZ SBs I’ve had.
January 22, 2008

Chris
Matua Paretai- Phenomenal, but only available in NZ. Other than that, love the Oyster Bay.
January 22, 2008

andrew
2006 Martinborough Vineyard, “Te Terra” Marlborough NZ. Most complex and dynamic one I’ve had. The nose is amazing, grapefruit heaven, with a little honeysuckle and kiwi…secondary flavors of pineapple and grass. Little bit pricey, but well worth it. I’ve had the Cloudy Bay and thought it was ok, but way overpriced. I’ve tried the Kim Crawford and thought it was a bit one dimensional. Nautilus was not bad, but missing something for me, perhaps that tropical zing. It was similar to a low-end sancerre. Look for the “Te Terra” it blew me away.
January 22, 2008

Todd Smith
Tried 2007 Waimea Sauv Blanc Nelson a few weeks ago, very nice – Pouilly Fume-like.
January 22, 2008

Todd Smith
QOTD – I really like the 2006 Allan Scott Sauv Blanc
January 22, 2008

Colin
GV – Good show. QOTD – I love me some Huia Sauv. Blanc.
January 22, 2008

Nick H
i like how you used kiwi to describe NZ sav blanc, you taste what you taste and thats great, but a kiwi is also a person from NZ. anyways, haven’t been a fan of sav blanc or a whole lot of whites, but i’m learning to appriciate them, especially the sav blanc.
QOTD
i’ve had a few, none that stood out enough fro me to remember, but i will be trying some more soon. especially after reading eric arnolds “first big crush” great book, a must read.
January 22, 2008

Scott
Love the “marathon” tasting! Thanks GV.

QOTD: Allan Scott is probably my favorite. But the Kim C. a few years ago was solid for the money. Monkey bay is a great value, still available for
January 22, 2008

Elliot Essman
I have had many NZ SB’s. I can’t say it is my favorite type of wine. Give me the Pouilly Fume.
January 22, 2008

Howard
I love the Cloudy Bay CS….but it is getting harder to shell out the Duckets these days for it…

That said,,,,I think a perfect pairing is Sauv Blanc and Lagastino Cocktails….Yummers!
January 22, 2008

Dave
Villa Maria at the COSTCO price
January 22, 2008

BigBob
Marlborough needs AVA’s. It is a big region and there is poor areas of it. That is why you have some really cheap ones.
January 22, 2008

wayno da wino
Woooohoooo….Geee !!!!!
Thanx for a SUUUPER Episode….a Cat-Pee Extravaganza-O-Rama !!!

QOTD: Had a few…..Never had one dat a didn’t like….dhey ALLL
tasted good to me !! Bring-oooon da Cat-Pee !!!
January 22, 2008

WillSka
My favorite NZSWB for the past three years is Gusto by the Davis Family Vineyards. I believe the wine is only available through mail order. The DFV are out of Napa Valley, but their SB is from the Marlborough district of NZ. The wine is a real joy to sniffy sniff. It has great hay and grass components. The grapefruit is surrounded by tropical fruits (papaya) and by white flower petals; like the wite flowers you might smell in spring on a tree blossom. The tastee taste reveals a wine that has a fuller body than most lower end SBs I find do have with a bit of a waxy mouthfeel. The grass and tropical fruits blend beautifully with some lychee fruit and a wonderfully bright acidity.

That’s my favorite.
January 22, 2008

Johnny Obnoxville
What happens with all the wines after the show is over?
January 22, 2008

Eric A.
Awesome show today, but of course, I’m biased.

I’ve never heard of Chasing Venus or Arona, but I think those new good brands coming out of nowhere is going to happen more and more since the established guys are really seeming to push Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris these days, and are phoning in the SB a little. Not all of them, just some of them. And that’s leaving room for new players to come in and do the right things with SB. Icon and Tohu, I think, just had a bad day — they’re both usually a good bet (though they were both older, too, so that might have had something to do with it). But i’s good to see some new guys perform so well.

QOTD: Allan Scott, but again, I’m totally biased. Have also really enjoyed Dog Point, Huia, St. Clair and Spy Valley. My first SB discovery was Wairau River, which is usually a pretty good performer as well. I could drink NZ SB until it burns a hole right through my digestive system, like the blood in the Alien movies. Probably even longer….
January 22, 2008

sobojosh
I guess mine would be Allan Scott. Not just for the wine but the company.
January 22, 2008

Irv
QOTD: Thanks for the NZSB episode. I have enjoyed the Nobilo and the Chasing Venus the most for New Zealand SB’s. As you commented, they remind me of wines from the Loire Valley, a style for SB’s which I prefer. Congrats again Gary for increasing our wine knowledge and awareness.