Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  September/October 2008, IWC Issue #140 (link)

  (Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir Nelson) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/13/2007 (link)

  (Catalina Sounds Pinot) Catalina Sounds Dear Friends, I am on a plane today so things will be offered with less hot air than usual... If you are looking for one of the more “of the moment” entrants to the US market - look no further. If you are still buying Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc for a lot more you should take a step back in time to a place where Cloudy Bay once stood prior to their corporate take over and EBITDA bottom line. Catalina Sounds is going to make waves and I’m sure they will come in the very near future. This is one of the more exciting new producers from Marlborough and while their wine remains an almost crazy bargain, here you go... Both are set to arrive directly from the source with perfect provenance: 2006 Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc “Marlborough” LIMITED 12/person One of the more highly thought of “unknown” examples of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand, this is a wine our friends at Nick’s (no relation) gave something like 96 or 98pts to (with a five star value rating) and the rest is history. If you are interested in what New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc tastes like when the only motivation is the purity of the varietal and showcase of vintage (and not profit margins), this is a wine you should experiment with wholeheartedly. For this price, this is what start-up New Zealand wineries should look to as a blueprint for consumer-oriented pricing that provides for a lovely bottle of piquant and reflective wine that can be enjoyed chilled on its own or with conversation that begs for a second bottle - no reviews or banter needed. The experience will speak for itself. Sancerre lovers will find much to admire here as well. 2006 Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir “Nelson” EXTREMELY LIMITED This has a chance to be on the bargain of the year list for many of you but it is far more limited than the Sauvignon Blanc and almost impossible to find (for good reason). This is the debut of their Pinot Noir, one that will send a message not only to the competition but to the entire Pinot Noir producing clan of the Southern Hemisphere. All I will say is this wine is sourced from some of Nelson’s best Moutere clay soil, treated in an artisanal fashion with little if any intervention and allowed to express the serious nature of its roots with aplomb. Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA NZ1800 NZ1900