Surprisingly it is 10 years since opening the last of this vintage and conventional wisdom would state that was already far too late. However, screw cap, modern techniques, stainless steel and a good wine is still a good wine. This has matured extremely well. It is a very enjoyable wine, The grassiness, so typical of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, has subsided with just a hint remaining. The texture is now creamy and full and more aged Sancerre than Marlborough. Experimentation is worthwhile as this wine proves. Ageing is specific to a vintage as a others of a similar age have not fared so well but patience remains a virtue and worth the effort. Enjoy.
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Drank from Bin East 11. In cellar since April 2007. $13.00. Caramel nose. Medium to dark yellow. Medium body, dry wood middle and soft finish with chaulk. Fruit gone but nice aged wine. 4/10.
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Not showing any material fatigue, despite suggestions to the contrary. This wine displayed all of the hallmarks of a well-rounded NZ sauvignon blanc. The initial impression of lemon grass and asparagus gave way to vibrant acidity and citrus fruit flavours a well balanced finished.
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What a value this one was! And still good - must have stored it right. Tons of tropical fruit on the nose - pineapple, mango, papaya, citrus - and nice minerality to go with it.
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Grassy, crispy, and good. Definitely a wild one in terms of taste and aroma. Not as refined as other sauvignon blanc's, but we would certainly drink again. Served it chilled, and the flavors really popped as it warmed. Note: We enjoyed this with lighter fare; baked chicken breast and rice.
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My bad ... waited too long to enjoy it! Kinda flabby, didn't have that grapefruit zest that you smell 10 feet away, the taste was a memory or its normalcy, so it was "OK" with the tequila lime chicken. It would have been great 2-3 years ago!!
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Consistently a wonderful Sauv Blanc! As more people try it, it seems the price creeps up, but I'll still continue to buy it ... and I'm a red kinda guy!
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bottle was past peak unfortunately, still delicious though. Just a little muted in terms of the "zing" that it is typically capable of. Grapefruit, lemon, lime, minerals...
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Given all the traffic on this bottle in the past two months, I had to open my last one, to see for myself what was going on. For the record, this has been stored at 58 degrees in my wine cooler since delivery in November, 2004. As before, the color is pale straw, almost water clear. Floral and grass notes on the nose. Palate is strongly citrus, mostly grapefruit with classic SB grass character. Seems smoother than I remembered, but is still a terrific SB
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They claim New Zealand SB's are best within a year of release. This wine appears to break that rule. In fact, it is by far the best of my 4 bottles (the last one!) and I am glad that I kept it around. Nose of slate and grapefruit.. Flavors of grapefruit, a touch of minerals, lime and a general citrus profile. What makes this distinct from my previous bottles is that I found this wine used to leave me feeling like I had just been cutting brick or cement, it had this mineral flavor that overwhelmed everything else. Now that has fallen back and the graprefruit and other citrus flavors are in the foreground. Much, much better.
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Lovely pale yellow color in the glass, with a floral and green apple fragrance on the nose, just a touch of fresh mowed grass. A taste reveals more green apple, citrus, a hint of pear, and a balances acidity. Some sort of floral notes in there somewhere, but I can't place the flower. Finish was a little herbal for my liking, but quickly faded into a flowery flavor that was quite pleasant. I expected a little more from this one, but overall, it was pretty good.
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Very close to 90 points although this wine is getting a little long in the tooth. The strapping acidity I noted in previous bottles has mellowed and this is a little unfortunate. On the positive side, I noted a dirty, bitter note in the earlier bottles but it has mellowed signficantly, although it is still quite noticeable in the nose. The current model has a nose of grapefruit and orange with that hint of bitter dirt. Maybe this is what others are detecting as mineral but to me there ain't no rock there, just a tad of stinky dirt or ash. The dirt is in the flavor profile as well, Like Rutherford dirt, only stinky. Mellowed with age, the wine has flavors of grapefruit and other citrus as well as some type of heavier fruit, maybe fig. The finish is still excellent at 60 plus seconds. The more I think about it, the less I like the dirt profile in this wine. In a Rutherford Cab dirt is okay, in a Sauvignon Blanc, you can have it. BTW, I knowis wine is consistent year on year and I do not plan to allow future vintages to age more than one year (actually 18 months because of Australia's March harvest) from bottling date.
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crisp, with a citrus (lemons and manderines) nose and some grasssy aromas. On the palate, the citrus is a bit smoother (creamier?) with a hint of blood oranges and a minerally crispness. An excellent wine with a lemon chicken
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Very tart, crisp. Grapefruit, citrus on the nose and palate. Someone below said to "zingy and sour." -- I found myself thinking the same thing. I can see how others would really like this, but it is not the most please SB for my palate.
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Grapefruit and pineapple on the very aromatic nose. Nice tartness (but not as extreme as my previous tasting note), and a bit dryer than the nose indicates. Grapefruit and lemon on the long finish. I continue to be impressed by this wine.
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fruity, powerful grapefruit, both on nose and with tasting, fresh, acid, nice and focused, but not too complex; good but unidimensional. Drank with grilled fish, Cambridge.
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Nose of grapefruit and green apple. I'm not getting the minerality that others have commented on. I also feel that it isn't all that acidic. Definantly not enough to make you pucker. A decent effort, but i've had better. Seems to be opening up a little with time in the glass. I would look forward to a little herbaceousness with a Sauv Blanc, and i just didn't get it with this one, and that's what kept me from giving it a higher score.
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Had with lemon garlic chicken. Lemon and wine flavors of the chicken and sauce made wine too tart to accompany dish. Riesling would have paired better with dish. Wine was very good stand alone.
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Nice grapefruit, lemon and other citrus flavors. Good acidity, not too much for my tastes. A little minerally at the beginning of each sip which is mabye a tad strong for my tastes. This keeps me from rating this higher. This minerality comes across as though there were ash in each sip, not my most favorite thing to drink. Good length and serving this warmer or cooler than most whites mutes the minerality. These should be used up before the end of summer.
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Lemon, grapefruit and green apple. Super-tart--enough to make me pucker, which is this wine's one flaw, but still enjoyable. Great nose, explosive flavor, long finish.
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This is the white wine for your friends who insist they only enjoy big reds. Almost over the top acidity, green apple and graprefruit flavors. Great bracing citrus nose. Perhaps the perfect summer picnic wine. First-timers have been observed to pucker, swish and exclaim "wow". Thre is nothing subtle about this wine. It make a very nice intro to NZ SB, do a two-wine tasting against the Huia for a contrast.
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Pale straw -tasted against the 2005 and this seemed much paler in color. Same SB characteristics, tart, grapefruit, pineapple and cat pee. Always a great summer quaffer, glad I have a bunch more of this (2005).
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Nice typicity: gooseberry, grassy/green notes, green apple, lime & grapefruit, but underneath those bright notes, there are additional round notes of tropical fruits or lychee. Love it with Thai food.
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finally this wine is loseing some of its punch. now that the sun has decided to show up, this is the first bottle of SB i have had in a while. still has a womderful nose, but not as crisp, lush, and fruity as before. if you have any of this vintage left, i think it is time to drink it up.
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Delicious. Pale green-yellow, strong apples and pear with hints of tropical. The pleasant tartness sits well with the fruit. Coats the mouth. Stock up for the summer.
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Straw, yellow-green; intense grapefruits, gooseberries, cat pee; lemony, grassy, medium body, good balance, crisp acidity, long clean finish. Not a big SB fan but this effort from New Zealand was terrific! Amazing concentration on the nose and palate. Excellent with steak salad.
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Had with sea bass tonight as this was the only non-sweet white wine I had chilled. This is just too grapefruity for light delicate fish. I think it's best as a hot weather appertiff. Tasted two days later and now I think this bottle just doesn't measure up to all the previous bottles I've had.
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Bouquet: crisp, "like a freshly laundered shirt", grass, tropical fruits (especially papaya). Taste: nice crisp acidity, grapefruit, with slight pineapple in the aftertaste. While we liked it, it's hard to say why it got on WS top 100 list, as it seems like every other NZ Sauvignon Blanc we've had (ie--Villa Maria).
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Solid performance by a solid performer. A little grass, mderate gooseberry, some tropicality. Lots of acidity but also lots of round fruit and not at all shrill. Good match with sauteed wild salmon.
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Bordering on extraordinary; I mainly drink reds and find few whites I enjoy, this is one I enjoyed immensely. Had it with in and with a dinner of Chicken Devine, Fruity with a little edge and a nice finish. Recommend highly
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On the nose, lots of grapefruit along with some green apple and just a touch of grassiness. On the palate, light to medium-bodied, with grapefruit, lemon and green apple, and a short to medium length finish. Very drinkable wine, should make a good summer sipper.
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Hints of lychee peek out from strong nose of grapefruit. Tastes strongly of grapefruit and green straw. Slight cat pee thing going. Nice long lasting finish. Best if allowed to warm a bit above refrigerator temperatures. Served with Citrus Chicken Stir-Fry and was a good pairing.
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I wouldn't call this elegant, but it's simply screaming with grapefruit and lemon zest. I don't get much grassiness, but the wine works very well even without it. Super crisp and light on its feet. A very pleasant surprise and well worth the price.
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Good, crisp acidic reaction on the palate with the signature pink grapefruit overtone. Long, pleasant finish. A notch or two better than the typical SB from the Marlborough region. This really is a good drinking, pleasant tasting wine. That being said, my wife and I are hoping that whatever it was that brought sameness and boredom to Chardonnays from California (which now seems to be changing) doesn't happen to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
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This if my favorite hot outdoor weather wine. Lots and lots of grapefruit which I don't normally care for but it is really refreshing on a hot summer day around the pool.
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A fairly typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Color is pale gold/green. Nose of sharp grapefruit and slightly grassy aromas. On the palate, a laser beam of grapefruit flavor and a slightly "green" streak with bracing acidity at the finish. A good, cold, summertime quaffer, but I have tired a bit of the style.
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Disappointing after some high expectations due to very positive reviews. Yes, there is fruit there, but it's overwhelmed by a strong puckering sourness that often ruins whites for me. I'd rather drink the Charles Shaw SB, even if they were the same price!
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Had with ham steak, carrots, red potatoes. Went extremely well with the grilled ham steak. Wow. Nice lemon & other citrus on the nose with zesty citrus on the palate. Very good pairing. Also had with havarti cheese and that was also a good match. Likely the best SB I've had for under 20.
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classic NZ SB. Light colour Gooseberry, apple and citrus on the nose. Smooth feel in the mouth, acidic lemony and grapefruit taste not too harsh. Decent finish.
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I drank last night. Thought was not to acidic or tart. Had a Appricot taste. Good fruit flavor. Tasted even better paired with chicken marinated in the Walnut olive oil from the olive press.
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interesting and different. the nose started with Grapefruit, then evolved to include Grapefruit and ended with more grapefruit. in the mouth very viscous liquid with a velvety feel. a crisp grapefruit with a tang. Did I mentioned this wine bring to mind GRAPEFRUIT.
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Not a big SB fan, but found this reasonably tasty. Very grassy, with lots of green apple and citrus. The pallette is full and oily. I found it overpowered the cod it was served with.
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V64 Wine night (Guildford, Perth, WA): Straw coloured, clear with passionfruit and gooseberry notes on the nose. A lovely mouth filling fruitiness on the palate with gooseberry and passionfruit flavours. Good crisp acid and length. This wine differs from the WitherHills in that it is not a single vineyard wine but rather a regional blend. A very good value wine enjoyed by the members as an aperitif.
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Very light color. Brigh aroma of grass and grapefruit, some pear. Flavors suprisingly delicate for such bold aroma. Some grass and green apple with a little bit of flint. Short pleasant finish.
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Pale yellow with green tings. Aromas of grass, lime, ash/soot, lemon. Medium-bodied, crisp, with grapefruit, lemon, and grass. Clean, grassy finish, 20s. Better the second day - the overwhelming grassy notes subsided, allowing the citrus to shine through.
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Nice grapefruit, citrus, and apple/pear notes. Very bright, acidic, and deliciously crisp. This is a delightful and refreshing SB...a great QPR. Time to stock up for summer!
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Wow, this thing jumps out of the bottle and up your nose! Very distinctive smell of citrus, mango, pineapple and grapefruit, even straight out of the fridge and probably too cold. Very tangy and fruity attack, strong flavored. Strong citrus tastes, and explosive mouthfeel on the midpalate, it has the way of filling your mouth that a nice cognac does, obviously very different flavors. I didn't get much grass at all, no more than a hint at times, even though others have. Finish is a touch sweet for me, but oh my, easy drinkin', here we come! What a great summer wine, and easy to share with non winos, maybe help break the Budweiser cycle here in St Louis... Went out and bought more after my first bottle. Outstanding QPR at ~$13.
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Opened not decanted; stored in refrigerator prior to serving. Pale blonde color, pineapple and citrus nose, tangy and zingy to mid palate. Maybe a good fit with Hunan and Szechuan food. Considering that I drink 99.9% red, an interesting wine. I would drink again on another RARE white occasion.
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Clear straw; straight out of screw cap there's a slight spritz on the nose, lemon-lime, very slight cat pee & grass; medium body with a bit more spritz, healthy acidity, but in balance; citrus palate; medium long finish; overall very good; better than Oyster Bay and only slightly less balanced than Cloudy Bay; will buy again
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Right of the bat, hints of grass in the first smell. Taste of grapefruit and other citrus, a hint of pear and melon. Very clean wine paired well with Grilled Pork Tenderloin. Will be buying much more of this in the near future.
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This Kim Crawford is a fruit explosion showing peach, pear, and lemon--and perhaps some melon as well--both on the nose and the palate. This must be what fruit-cocktail-on-steroids tastes like. The acidity is ample enough for my tastes--there's a nice bite, even absent my favorite Sauvignon Blanc elements (viz., herbs and chives)--and the balance is admirable, as is a relatively lengthy finish (at least for a wine so affordable). I much prefer an edgier, greener style of SB, but I'll happily acknowledge the merits of this fruit-bomb from Down Under.
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I opened a bottle of this for Easter dinner with family. My wife made crispy roast duck. I served this both before and with dinner. I bought this wine for about $12. I liked this wine. Others at the dinner liked it even more than I did. Bracing acidity. Tangy flavors of grapefruit, lemongrass and citrus. Clean finish. 90 points.
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WIML88,NOWA,WS91 Tasted March 26, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Opened and served immediately in Spiegelau Vino Grande White Wine glasses. Light straw color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of fresh cut grass and citrus. Flavors of lime, mineral and passion fruit. Solid wine but the flavor profile was a little offputting for my personal tastes after one glass. Recommended if you can find this locally at an agreeable price point. Drink now.
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This is a highly aromatic wine with an array of fruits on the nose, including citrus, melons, passion fruit and grass. The same range of flavors on the palate. Very nice finish and a great value. A great summer sipper. Begs for food. 91-92 points.
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I made RAO's Famous Lemon Chicken and this wine paired with it beautifully. A very distinct taste of grapefruit, which complemented the chicken dish perfectly. I will definitely buy more of this wine.
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Tasting at Fin: Blind White 3a1 - Lovely nose of fragrant limes and some kind of tropical melon. Dry chalk. Sweet tart grapefruit dominates the palate. I heard someone say lemongrass. Good. Best SB of the tasting.
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Peaches on the nose. Full bodied revealing citrus flavors and crisp acidity. Went well with roasted chicken and caesar salad. In my limited experience with dry whites this is outstanding and has sparked my interest in NZ SBs.
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Served @ Superbowl party. Showed well with the bruschetta, where the tomatoes & herbs made the wine come alive: lively, with fruit flavors and pin-point acidity. Didn't show as well at our New Year's Eve tasting.
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A high-tension wire of lime zest and papaya, with some piney nuances. 88p (but note that I tend to rate NZ sauvies lower when its tundra-like outside. In the summer on the patio, I could very well rate this 90+P).
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pale color, very fragrant melon-grass aroma. Strong grapefuit taste followed by grass, develops a melon taste after 20 seconds or so. Its a nice wine, but could be better balanced with fruit
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The high rating reflects the price in this case. I can't imagine a better QPR than this wine. At $14 it's simply incredible in its versatility (at no sacrifice of integrity). Amazing fruit that is huge and light at the same time: pink grapefruit, lemon, and kiwi dominate nose and palate. Great balance, short finish, and amazingly quaffable.
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Dinner at home of crab salad. Platinum color (clear silver with the slightest hint of yellow). Zesty nose of freshly sliced grapefruit. On the palate, grapefruit, pineapple and a modest grassy undercurrent. Soft mouthfeel; while refreshing, not nearly the laser-beam acidity suggested by the nose. Nice soft finish. Excellent.
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For such a unassuming looking wine, what a powerhouse. Pale yellow, light style. Milque toast. Next thing you know, your head is swimming in a sea of lemon/lime grass. Strong herbal notes with a hint of wet stone. Vegetal notes which, depending on the context, can almost be too much.
Compared with the 2003, not as much fruit. The tropical and citrus fruits that it has hit the midpalate, along with strong dose of acid.
Not quite the 2003, but a New World value that makes Sancerre pucker.
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7/10/2022 - gingerbreadman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Surprisingly it is 10 years since opening the last of this vintage and conventional wisdom would state that was already far too late. However, screw cap, modern techniques, stainless steel and a good wine is still a good wine. This has matured extremely well. It is a very enjoyable wine, The grassiness, so typical of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, has subsided with just a hint remaining. The texture is now creamy and full and more aged Sancerre than Marlborough. Experimentation is worthwhile as this wine proves. Ageing is specific to a vintage as a others of a similar age have not fared so well but patience remains a virtue and worth the effort. Enjoy.
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4/21/2020 - RDB Wine Likes this wine: 50 Points
Drank from Bin East 11. In cellar since April 2007. $13.00. Caramel nose. Medium to dark yellow. Medium body, dry wood middle and soft finish with chaulk. Fruit gone but nice aged wine. 4/10.
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5/9/2017 - purefeel wrote:
Still drinkable with typical NZ herbaceous, bell pepper, lime, etc.
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4/21/2012 - Wyliecoyote wrote: 90 Points
Agree fully with earlier notes. Standout value for NZ Sauvignon Blanc.
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2/18/2012 - Wyliecoyote wrote: 90 Points
Not showing any material fatigue, despite suggestions to the contrary. This wine displayed all of the hallmarks of a well-rounded NZ sauvignon blanc. The initial impression of lemon grass and asparagus gave way to vibrant acidity and citrus fruit flavours a well balanced finished.
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1/13/2012 - gingerbreadman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Out of date according to this resource but certainly still very good. I am pleased that I still have one left.
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5/20/2009 - leloupedevin wrote: 89 Points
What a value this one was! And still good - must have stored it right. Tons of tropical fruit on the nose - pineapple, mango, papaya, citrus - and nice minerality to go with it.
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5/12/2009 - TannicBeast wrote: 90 Points
yeast melon grass tastes like it smells but brighter more citrusy. good for cocktailing but super with roast vegetables and grilled scallops.
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4/17/2008 - jmh st louis wrote: 87 Points
more muted than last bottle. Suspect all will fade sooner than later.
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4/14/2008 - sfo777 wrote:
Yuck!
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4/5/2008 - jmh st louis wrote: 89 Points
pleasant blend of apple and grapefruit.
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3/24/2008 - Vino_Vince wrote: 85 Points
Grassy, crispy, and good. Definitely a wild one in terms of taste and aroma. Not as refined as other sauvignon blanc's, but we would certainly drink again. Served it chilled, and the flavors really popped as it warmed.
Note: We enjoyed this with lighter fare; baked chicken breast and rice.
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2/27/2008 - Parnelli wrote: 84 Points
My bad ... waited too long to enjoy it! Kinda flabby, didn't have that grapefruit zest that you smell 10 feet away, the taste was a memory or its normalcy, so it was "OK" with the tequila lime chicken. It would have been great 2-3 years ago!!
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12/8/2007 - JimN wrote: 90 Points
Laurie gushed about this wine. Surprised it was still as crisp and bright. Lots of apple and grapefruit. Same old consistent Crawford.
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8/15/2007 - robinstj wrote: 70 Points
Way past it's prime, and a mistake to drink it after a quality sauv. blanc.
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7/15/2007 - fhmesq wrote:
Consistent as ever. Nice crisp flavors of green apple and grapefruit. Good QPR and consistent across vintages.
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7/12/2007 - Parnelli wrote: 89 Points
Consistently a wonderful Sauv Blanc! As more people try it, it seems the price creeps up, but I'll still continue to buy it ... and I'm a red kinda guy!
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7/4/2007 - cassel wrote: 86 Points
Failing fast - time to move on to younger vintages
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6/17/2007 - bsmall wrote: 89 Points
classic new zealand Sauv Blanc---very nice citrus
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5/20/2007 - jds1010321 wrote: 88 Points
bottle was past peak unfortunately, still delicious though. Just a little muted in terms of the "zing" that it is typically capable of. Grapefruit, lemon, lime, minerals...
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5/12/2007 - Senso-beak wrote: 87 Points
Wearing down, without the explosiveness, yet good cutting ability, with crisp aromas and grass and green apple notes.
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4/29/2007 - ksmith wrote: 90 Points
Given all the traffic on this bottle in the past two months, I had to open my last one, to see for myself what was going on. For the record, this has been stored at 58 degrees in my wine cooler since delivery in November, 2004. As before, the color is pale straw, almost water clear. Floral and grass notes on the nose. Palate is strongly citrus, mostly grapefruit with classic SB grass character. Seems smoother than I remembered, but is still a terrific SB
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4/29/2007 - orcharddude22 wrote: flawed
Found in the back of the cellar. Not quite DOA, but sliding down the backside fast.
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4/22/2007 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
They claim New Zealand SB's are best within a year of release. This wine appears to break that rule. In fact, it is by far the best of my 4 bottles (the last one!) and I am glad that I kept it around. Nose of slate and grapefruit.. Flavors of grapefruit, a touch of minerals, lime and a general citrus profile. What makes this distinct from my previous bottles is that I found this wine used to leave me feeling like I had just been cutting brick or cement, it had this mineral flavor that overwhelmed everything else. Now that has fallen back and the graprefruit and other citrus flavors are in the foreground. Much, much better.
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3/6/2007 - GnubiX wrote: 85 Points
Lovely pale yellow color in the glass, with a floral and green apple fragrance on the nose, just a touch of fresh mowed grass. A taste reveals more green apple, citrus, a hint of pear, and a balances acidity. Some sort of floral notes in there somewhere, but I can't place the flower. Finish was a little herbal for my liking, but quickly faded into a flowery flavor that was quite pleasant. I expected a little more from this one, but overall, it was pretty good.
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1/16/2007 - rjm wrote: 85 Points
Strong floral tones have developed on the nose and palate - this has past it's peak.
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1/15/2007 - wood wrote:
Grassy and zesty citrus. Classic Sauv Blanc
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1/11/2007 - cs123 wrote:
Still good. Mouth-watering acidity, with grapefruit, pineapple, flowers of some sort, and a bit more herbaceousness than I remembered. Very Good.
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12/8/2006 - guitarguy wrote: 89 Points
Very close to 90 points although this wine is getting a little long in the tooth. The strapping acidity I noted in previous bottles has mellowed and this is a little unfortunate. On the positive side, I noted a dirty, bitter note in the earlier bottles but it has mellowed signficantly, although it is still quite noticeable in the nose. The current model has a nose of grapefruit and orange with that hint of bitter dirt. Maybe this is what others are detecting as mineral but to me there ain't no rock there, just a tad of stinky dirt or ash. The dirt is in the flavor profile as well, Like Rutherford dirt, only stinky. Mellowed with age, the wine has flavors of grapefruit and other citrus as well as some type of heavier fruit, maybe fig. The finish is still excellent at 60 plus seconds. The more I think about it, the less I like the dirt profile in this wine. In a Rutherford Cab dirt is okay, in a Sauvignon Blanc, you can have it. BTW, I knowis wine is consistent year on year and I do not plan to allow future vintages to age more than one year (actually 18 months because of Australia's March harvest) from bottling date.
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11/19/2006 - Opimian wrote:
still has it stuff, but on the fade. time to drink up.
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11/12/2006 - thlthl3 wrote: 89 Points
crisp, with a citrus (lemons and manderines) nose and some grasssy aromas. On the palate, the citrus is a bit smoother (creamier?) with a hint of blood oranges and a minerally crispness. An excellent wine with a lemon chicken
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10/9/2006 - gbauer wrote:
Still good. Tart and fruity SB -- pineapple, mineral and tropical fruit.
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10/7/2006 - shaneajohnson wrote: 89 Points
Very tart, crisp. Grapefruit, citrus on the nose and palate. Someone below said to "zingy and sour." -- I found myself thinking the same thing. I can see how others would really like this, but it is not the most please SB for my palate.
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9/10/2006 - E wrote: 91 Points
Last one. Fitting close to the summer. This has been such a solid quaffer at a fair tariff one of the best white wine qpr s of all
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9/5/2006 - AlpharettaWine wrote: 92 Points
Fantastic as always. The 2005 is another fine offering at a great price.
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9/4/2006 - JeffFaust wrote: 90 Points
Grapefruit and pineapple on the very aromatic nose. Nice tartness (but not as extreme as my previous tasting note), and a bit dryer than the nose indicates. Grapefruit and lemon on the long finish. I continue to be impressed by this wine.
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9/4/2006 - jedly wrote: 89 Points
A consistently good NZ SB, but there are other choices out there that are better values for the money.
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9/2/2006 - ilovewine wrote:
Light, fruity bouquet. Refreshing.
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8/27/2006 - msu wrote: 90 Points
Lots of citrus fruit, mostly grapefruit, good acidity. Exactly what New Zealn Sauvignon Blanc is supposed to be.
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8/14/2006 - lewisrise wrote: 91 Points
Very tart and crisp. Nose of grapefruit and gooseberry. Lemon, grapefruit with a hint of tangerine. Classic NZ SB.
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8/12/2006 - win wrote: 89 Points
Very solid NZ Sauvignon Blanc with nice hint of grapefruit with good acidity.
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8/4/2006 - gordoyflaca wrote: 90 Points
fruity, powerful grapefruit, both on nose and with tasting, fresh, acid, nice and focused, but not too complex; good but unidimensional. Drank with grilled fish, Cambridge.
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8/4/2006 - jacobp wrote: 80 Points
too zingy and sour.
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8/4/2006 - aggiecavediver wrote: 87 Points
Nose of grapefruit and green apple. I'm not getting the minerality that others have commented on. I also feel that it isn't all that acidic. Definantly not enough to make you pucker. A decent effort, but i've had better. Seems to be opening up a little with time in the glass. I would look forward to a little herbaceousness with a Sauv Blanc, and i just didn't get it with this one, and that's what kept me from giving it a higher score.
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7/29/2006 - hrdtsk wrote:
FAREWELL PARTY FOR REGINA AND CRAIG
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7/27/2006 - jacobp wrote: 90 Points
Fresh tart, grapefruit and peach on the nose. Lovely body with sweet essence through the mid-palate. Nice and firm acidity.
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7/23/2006 - scottmlew wrote: 83 Points
Had with lemon garlic chicken. Lemon and wine flavors of the chicken and sauce made wine too tart to accompany dish. Riesling would have paired better with dish. Wine was very good stand alone.
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7/16/2006 - Acohen wrote: 91 Points
Delicious. Fabulous nose with crisp aroma. Nice grapefruit and pear.
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7/16/2006 - guitarguy wrote: 89 Points
Nice grapefruit, lemon and other citrus flavors. Good acidity, not too much for my tastes. A little minerally at the beginning of each sip which is mabye a tad strong for my tastes. This keeps me from rating this higher. This minerality comes across as though there were ash in each sip, not my most favorite thing to drink. Good length and serving this warmer or cooler than most whites mutes the minerality. These should be used up before the end of summer.
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7/15/2006 - fhmesq wrote:
Very consistent Sauv. Nice a crisp and goes well on a warm summer's day. Definitely recommend.
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7/12/2006 - jacobp wrote: 89 Points
Grapefruit everywhere. A really easy drinker, great with fish. Very consistent.
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7/9/2006 - JeffFaust wrote: 89 Points
Lemon, grapefruit and green apple. Super-tart--enough to make me pucker, which is this wine's one flaw, but still enjoyable. Great nose, explosive flavor, long finish.
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6/30/2006 - brbart46 wrote:
excellent as usual. Still drinking very well. nice acid,fruits,etc.
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6/4/2006 - paulst wrote: 85 Points
Hearty and meaty.
Fruity.
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5/29/2006 - twolfson wrote: 90 Points
This is the white wine for your friends who insist they only enjoy big reds. Almost over the top acidity, green apple and graprefruit flavors. Great bracing citrus nose. Perhaps the perfect summer picnic wine. First-timers have been observed to pucker, swish and exclaim "wow". Thre is nothing subtle about this wine. It make a very nice intro to NZ SB, do a two-wine tasting against the Huia for a contrast.
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5/26/2006 - cweiss wrote:
No chnage from 3/06 bottle. Retains good vitality and balance. Stood up to moderately spicy southeast asian curries and salads.
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5/25/2006 - ksmith wrote: 90 Points
Pale straw -tasted against the 2005 and this seemed much paler in color. Same SB characteristics, tart, grapefruit, pineapple and cat pee. Always a great summer quaffer, glad I have a bunch more of this (2005).
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5/22/2006 - jacobp wrote: 92 Points
Outstanding as always.
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5/20/2006 - pgm wrote: 89 Points
Nice typicity: gooseberry, grassy/green notes, green apple, lime & grapefruit, but underneath those bright notes, there are additional round notes of tropical fruits or lychee. Love it with Thai food.
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5/15/2006 - JonnyB wrote: 87 Points
overly acidic and grapefruity compared to some other SB's I have enjoyed recently. Perhaps a bad bottle, maybe time to try the 05's instead.
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5/14/2006 - lewisrise wrote: 94 Points
Grass and lime on the nose. Tart, balanced, and zesty. Granny Smith with medium finish
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5/13/2006 - jacobp wrote: 90 Points
Grassy and refreshing
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5/10/2006 - trankin wrote: 89 Points
Fresh crisp Sav Blanc. Loads of grapefruit
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5/4/2006 - jacobp wrote: 93 Points
Excellent as always. Refreshing, grass and grapefruit aromas.
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5/1/2006 - Amapola wrote: 89 Points
Grassy, herbaceous nose. Good citrus fruit and good acidity. A very good example of a New Zealand S.B.
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4/30/2006 - Opimian wrote: 88 Points
finally this wine is loseing some of its punch. now that the sun has decided to show up, this is the first bottle of SB i have had in a while. still has a womderful nose, but not as crisp, lush, and fruity as before. if you have any of this vintage left, i think it is time to drink it up.
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4/30/2006 - JeffFaust wrote: 92 Points
Delicious. Pale green-yellow, strong apples and pear with hints of tropical. The pleasant tartness sits well with the fruit. Coats the mouth. Stock up for the summer.
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4/29/2006 - ColinR wrote: 90 Points
Straw, yellow-green; intense grapefruits, gooseberries, cat pee; lemony, grassy, medium body, good balance, crisp acidity, long clean finish.
Not a big SB fan but this effort from New Zealand was terrific! Amazing concentration on the nose and palate. Excellent with steak salad.
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4/20/2006 - pjhr wrote: 91 Points
A grapefruit explosion on the palate with long finish and crisp acidity.
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4/14/2006 - cbgilmore wrote:
Cape Charles with Carmen
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4/14/2006 - RichardZula wrote:
Intense grapefruit; dry and very crisp; Michele thought it was "sweet", probably from the intensity of the fruit.
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4/8/2006 - jvalanti wrote: 91 Points
Grass, melon, grapefruit... Really nice bottle!
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4/7/2006 - luvcards wrote: 80 Points
overwhelming grapefruit flavor. too tart
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4/6/2006 - Aiko165 wrote: 85 Points
only so so....Must try other Crawfords.
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3/30/2006 - Wine Cellar wrote: 89 Points
Had with sea bass tonight as this was the only non-sweet white wine I had chilled. This is just too grapefruity for light delicate fish. I think it's best as a hot weather appertiff. Tasted two days later and now I think this bottle just doesn't measure up to all the previous bottles I've had.
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3/16/2006 - A&B wrote: 86 Points
Perfumy, elderberry, passion frut, grape fruit nose, moderate to low acidity.
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3/11/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 89 Points
Bouquet: crisp, "like a freshly laundered shirt", grass, tropical fruits (especially papaya). Taste: nice crisp acidity, grapefruit, with slight pineapple in the aftertaste. While we liked it, it's hard to say why it got on WS top 100 list, as it seems like every other NZ Sauvignon Blanc we've had (ie--Villa Maria).
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3/10/2006 - cweiss wrote:
Solid performance by a solid performer. A little grass, mderate gooseberry, some tropicality. Lots of acidity but also lots of round fruit and not at all shrill. Good match with sauteed wild salmon.
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3/5/2006 - E wrote: 91 Points
yum
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2/27/2006 - DanaSr wrote: 92 Points
Bordering on extraordinary; I mainly drink reds and find few whites I enjoy, this is one I enjoyed immensely. Had it with in and with a dinner of Chicken Devine, Fruity with a little edge and a nice finish. Recommend highly
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2/12/2006 - ArieS wrote: 89 Points
As good as usual with grapefruits and crisp acidity.
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2/4/2006 - Dixie wrote:
Had with roast chicken dinner.
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1/25/2006 - NJPhil wrote: 90 Points
Pale straw in color. Sour apple and grapefruit on the nose, the grapefruit continues on the palate with lemon and good acidity. A clean crisp finish.
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1/21/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 88 Points
On the nose, lots of grapefruit along with some green apple and just a touch of grassiness. On the palate, light to medium-bodied, with grapefruit, lemon and green apple, and a short to medium length finish. Very drinkable wine, should make a good summer sipper.
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1/9/2006 - tomp wrote: 87 Points
A nice NZ SB. Nothing special, but nice. Lots of tart apple, but none of the gooseberry that I expect in a NZ SB.
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1/1/2006 - Dixie wrote:
Had with Sablefish and lemon risotto. Very tasty as usual. Only drank 1/2 the bottle. Good girl!
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12/31/2005 - GolferChris wrote: 91 Points
New Year's Eve Dinner (Casa GolferChris): Excellent food wine due to its crisp acidity. Mouthful of grapefruit.
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12/30/2005 - pjhr wrote: 91 Points
Simply a delicious SB!
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12/29/2005 - brucejones wrote: 89 Points
Hints of lychee peek out from strong nose of grapefruit. Tastes strongly of grapefruit and green straw. Slight cat pee thing going. Nice long lasting finish. Best if allowed to warm a bit above refrigerator temperatures. Served with Citrus Chicken Stir-Fry and was a good pairing.
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12/20/2005 - jacobp wrote: 92 Points
Fantastic. The best.
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12/1/2005 - Tad GW wrote: 89 Points
Highly recommended. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc with sufficient complexity on the nose and palate to put it above the ordinary. Gotta love it.
50+5+12+14+8=89
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11/30/2005 - AlpharettaWine wrote: 90 Points
Citrus with a hint of apple. Great combo with sushi. A great value.
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11/22/2005 - peternelson wrote: 90 Points
Anita: Exellent SB!!! Great lime and grapefruit, a hint trop frt, not grassy; smooth, bal., clean all the way. Nice!
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11/19/2005 - MBannon wrote: 92 Points
I wouldn't call this elegant, but it's simply screaming with grapefruit and lemon zest. I don't get much grassiness, but the wine works very well even without it. Super crisp and light on its feet. A very pleasant surprise and well worth the price.
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11/15/2005 - Seanr7 wrote: 91 Points
As always a very good SB.
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11/11/2005 - loriannkru wrote: 90 Points
Solid, typical of a NZ SB. Lemony, zesty, distinct. Zippy, citrus. EXCELLENT with goat cheese and fig spread. Excellent, refreshing finish.
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11/8/2005 - AlpharettaWine wrote: 91 Points
Excellent as always. A fantastic wine at a fantastic price.
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10/25/2005 - Dixie wrote:
DRANK IN THE SUMMER NOT UPDATED
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10/18/2005 - callmeacab wrote: 92 Points
Good, crisp acidic reaction on the palate with the signature pink grapefruit overtone. Long, pleasant finish. A notch or two better than the typical SB from the Marlborough region. This really is a good drinking, pleasant tasting wine. That being said, my wife and I are hoping that whatever it was that brought sameness and boredom to Chardonnays from California (which now seems to be changing) doesn't happen to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
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10/1/2005 - Wine Cellar wrote: 92 Points
This if my favorite hot outdoor weather wine. Lots and lots of grapefruit which I don't normally care for but it is really refreshing on a hot summer day around the pool.
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9/20/2005 - John wrote: 87 Points
everything grapefruit. nose, taste and aftertaste
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9/20/2005 - jacobp wrote: 92 Points
Easy drinking; excellent with swordfish
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9/10/2005 - 97mjr wrote: 90 Points
grassy, pear, grapefruit, developed more prominent lemon, lime, and orange after a few hours; great value
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9/10/2005 - Dixie wrote:
Delicious again. Had with sezchuan pork and grilled veg.
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9/5/2005 - bknysak wrote: 90 Points
Great as usual. Absolutely fab with Thai curries... those chilis dance!
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8/14/2005 - Thilo wrote: 86 Points
A fairly typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Color is pale gold/green. Nose of sharp grapefruit and slightly grassy aromas. On the palate, a laser beam of grapefruit flavor and a slightly "green" streak with bracing acidity at the finish. A good, cold, summertime quaffer, but I have tired a bit of the style.
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8/13/2005 - Dixie wrote:
delicious with salmon and grilled veg. Fairly fruity, maybe with some pear notes.
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8/9/2005 - derrick wrote: 80 Points
Disappointing after some high expectations due to very positive reviews. Yes, there is fruit there, but it's overwhelmed by a strong puckering sourness that often ruins whites for me. I'd rather drink the Charles Shaw SB, even if they were the same price!
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8/7/2005 - marka wrote:
Had with ham steak, carrots, red potatoes. Went extremely well with the grilled ham steak. Wow. Nice lemon & other citrus on the nose with zesty citrus on the palate. Very good pairing. Also had with havarti cheese and that was also a good match. Likely the best SB I've had for under 20.
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7/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 91 Points
Pale white. Forward aroma of grapefruit and gooseberry. Longely zingy grapfruit on the palate. Bracing acidity. 7/05
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6/16/2005 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
Quite light and herbaceous, very intense gooseberry and nettles palate. Very good zingy sauvignon.
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6/6/2005 - whiner wrote: 91 Points
classic NZ SB. Light colour Gooseberry, apple and citrus on the nose. Smooth feel in the mouth, acidic lemony and grapefruit taste not too harsh. Decent finish.
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6/2/2005 - fryguy wrote:
I drank last night. Thought was not to acidic or tart. Had a Appricot taste. Good fruit flavor. Tasted even better paired with chicken marinated in the Walnut olive oil from the olive press.
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5/31/2005 - goofy Yno wrote: 87 Points
interesting and different. the nose started with Grapefruit, then evolved to include Grapefruit and ended with more grapefruit. in the mouth very viscous liquid with a velvety feel. a crisp grapefruit with a tang. Did I mentioned this wine bring to mind GRAPEFRUIT.
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5/25/2005 - jwwinec wrote:
Not a big SB fan, but found this reasonably tasty. Very grassy, with lots of green apple and citrus. The pallette is full and oily. I found it overpowered the cod it was served with.
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5/24/2005 - V64 wrote:
V64 Wine night (Guildford, Perth, WA): Straw coloured, clear with passionfruit and gooseberry notes on the nose. A lovely mouth filling fruitiness on the palate with gooseberry and passionfruit flavours. Good crisp acid and length. This wine differs from the WitherHills in that it is not a single vineyard wine but rather a regional blend. A very good value wine enjoyed by the members as an aperitif.
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5/22/2005 - AtlantaBill wrote: 88 Points
Very light color. Brigh aroma of grass and grapefruit, some pear. Flavors suprisingly delicate for such bold aroma. Some grass and green apple with a little bit of flint. Short pleasant finish.
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5/20/2005 - futronic wrote: 88 Points
Pale yellow with green tings. Aromas of grass, lime, ash/soot, lemon. Medium-bodied, crisp, with grapefruit, lemon, and grass. Clean, grassy finish, 20s. Better the second day - the overwhelming grassy notes subsided, allowing the citrus to shine through.
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5/18/2005 - DFC wrote: 90 Points
Nice grapefruit, citrus, and apple/pear notes. Very bright, acidic, and deliciously crisp. This is a delightful and refreshing SB...a great QPR. Time to stock up for summer!
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5/16/2005 - Squirreljam wrote: 89 Points
Wow, this thing jumps out of the bottle and up your nose! Very distinctive smell of citrus, mango, pineapple and grapefruit, even straight out of the fridge and probably too cold. Very tangy and fruity attack, strong flavored. Strong citrus tastes, and explosive mouthfeel on the midpalate, it has the way of filling your mouth that a nice cognac does, obviously very different flavors. I didn't get much grass at all, no more than a hint at times, even though others have. Finish is a touch sweet for me, but oh my, easy drinkin', here we come! What a great summer wine, and easy to share with non winos, maybe help break the Budweiser cycle here in St Louis... Went out and bought more after my first bottle. Outstanding QPR at ~$13.
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5/14/2005 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted; stored in refrigerator prior to serving. Pale blonde color, pineapple and citrus nose, tangy and zingy to mid palate. Maybe a good fit with Hunan and Szechuan food. Considering that I drink 99.9% red, an interesting wine. I would drink again on another RARE white occasion.
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5/4/2005 - Patrick wrote: 91 Points
Clear straw; straight out of screw cap there's a slight spritz on the nose, lemon-lime, very slight cat pee & grass; medium body with a bit more spritz, healthy acidity, but in balance; citrus palate; medium long finish; overall very good; better than Oyster Bay and only slightly less balanced than Cloudy Bay; will buy again
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4/26/2005 - Seanr7 wrote: 91 Points
Right of the bat, hints of grass in the first smell. Taste of grapefruit and other citrus, a hint of pear and melon. Very clean wine paired well with Grilled Pork Tenderloin. Will be buying much more of this in the near future.
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3/29/2005 - Stephan O wrote: 88 Points
This Kim Crawford is a fruit explosion showing peach, pear, and lemon--and perhaps some melon as well--both on the nose and the palate. This must be what fruit-cocktail-on-steroids tastes like. The acidity is ample enough for my tastes--there's a nice bite, even absent my favorite Sauvignon Blanc elements (viz., herbs and chives)--and the balance is admirable, as is a relatively lengthy finish (at least for a wine so affordable). I much prefer an edgier, greener style of SB, but I'll happily acknowledge the merits of this fruit-bomb from Down Under.
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3/28/2005 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
I opened a bottle of this for Easter dinner with family. My wife made crispy roast duck. I served this both before and with dinner. I bought this wine for about $12. I liked this wine. Others at the dinner liked it even more than I did. Bracing acidity. Tangy flavors of grapefruit, lemongrass and citrus. Clean finish. 90 points.
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3/26/2005 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88,NOWA,WS91
Tasted March 26, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Opened and served immediately in Spiegelau Vino Grande White Wine glasses. Light straw color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of fresh cut grass and citrus. Flavors of lime, mineral and passion fruit. Solid wine but the flavor profile was a little offputting for my personal tastes after one glass. Recommended if you can find this locally at an agreeable price point. Drink now.
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3/26/2005 - Winetex wrote: 89 Points
Ecclectic Easter Tasting at Asti Trattoria II (Asti Trattoria, Austin, Texas): Nice nose of grapefruit and grass with grapefruit in the middle. Finishes crisp. Good wine with good value.
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3/24/2005 - CamWheeler wrote: 86 Points
Freshly cut grass and herbs dominate the nose. Palate is crisp and refreshing.
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3/19/2005 - monkeylug wrote: 92 Points
This is a highly aromatic wine with an array of fruits on the nose, including citrus, melons, passion fruit and grass. The same range of flavors on the palate. Very nice finish and a great value. A great summer sipper. Begs for food. 91-92 points.
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3/19/2005 - MRP wrote: 90 Points
I made RAO's Famous Lemon Chicken and this wine paired with it beautifully. A very distinct taste of grapefruit, which complemented the chicken dish perfectly. I will definitely buy more of this wine.
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3/11/2005 - tcfwine wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic! Well balanced and integrated with apple, pear and melon, nothing out of place, fine acidity and length...
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3/6/2005 - SadEdjo wrote:
greeny yellow. citrus pear nose. lemon grass. not searing acid.
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3/5/2005 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Tasting at Fin: Blind White 3a1 - Lovely nose of fragrant limes and some kind of tropical melon. Dry chalk. Sweet tart grapefruit dominates the palate. I heard someone say lemongrass. Good. Best SB of the tasting.
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2/12/2005 - Badfish wrote:
Peaches on the nose. Full bodied revealing citrus flavors and crisp acidity. Went well with roasted chicken and caesar salad. In my limited experience with dry whites this is outstanding and has sparked my interest in NZ SBs.
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2/6/2005 - TashNYC wrote: 89 Points
Served @ Superbowl party. Showed well with the bruschetta, where the tomatoes & herbs made the wine come alive: lively, with fruit flavors and pin-point acidity. Didn't show as well at our New Year's Eve tasting.
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2/5/2005 - 1800kidney wrote: 85 Points
Not bad for a screw-top; acidity is prominent, needs appropriate pairing..could stand up to ceviche
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1/15/2005 - otisabdul wrote: 88 Points
A high-tension wire of lime zest and papaya, with some piney nuances. 88p (but note that I tend to rate NZ sauvies lower when its tundra-like outside. In the summer on the patio, I could very well rate this 90+P).
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1/8/2005 - lewisrise wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding SB, even better than Cloudy Bay. Tart with grapefruit and grass. Good acidity and balance. Must buy.
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12/22/2004 - mpickett2000 wrote: 90 Points
pale color, very fragrant melon-grass aroma. Strong grapefuit taste followed by grass, develops a melon taste after 20 seconds or so. Its a nice wine, but could be better balanced with fruit
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12/17/2004 - basis wrote: 93 Points
The high rating reflects the price in this case. I can't imagine a better QPR than this wine. At $14 it's simply incredible in its versatility (at no sacrifice of integrity). Amazing fruit that is huge and light at the same time: pink grapefruit, lemon, and kiwi dominate nose and palate. Great balance, short finish, and amazingly quaffable.
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11/22/2004 - KevinS wrote: 91 Points
Dinner at home of crab salad. Platinum color (clear silver with the slightest hint of yellow). Zesty nose of freshly sliced grapefruit. On the palate, grapefruit, pineapple and a modest grassy undercurrent. Soft mouthfeel; while refreshing, not nearly the laser-beam acidity suggested by the nose. Nice soft finish. Excellent.
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11/21/2004 - johnnywebs wrote: 89 Points
For such a unassuming looking wine, what a powerhouse. Pale yellow, light style. Milque toast. Next thing you know, your head is swimming in a sea of lemon/lime grass. Strong herbal notes with a hint of wet stone. Vegetal notes which, depending on the context, can almost be too much.
Compared with the 2003, not as much fruit. The tropical and citrus fruits that it has hit the midpalate, along with strong dose of acid.
Not quite the 2003, but a New World value that makes Sancerre pucker.
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11/15/2004 - ormazd wrote:
TART!
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11/14/2004 - jpaul wrote:
very fragrant and floral. mellowed a bit after bottle was open about an hour. extremely refreshing. overpowered the linguine w/ white clam sauce.
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8/25/2004 - BonnieM wrote:
lovely nose of grass and lime, whoa, tons of acid and mouthpuckering citrus. good with food but not for sipping on a hot summer day!!
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