clean clear straw to gold med plus intense lemon, gooseberry, fresh fig, white flowers nose high axidity medium plus alcohol slight CO2 fizz lemon, lime on the palate, no pith Dry A beautiful NZ SB, slight vegetal / gooseberry conpared to a us or eu style. Great QPR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP. Grapefruit, citrus, meyer lemon, ginger, pear aromas. Similar flavors with grapefruit, citrus up front with lemon, ginger and pear later on. Good acidity. Smooth finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Prior bottle was only a month ago, so my notes were unsurprisingly nearly identical. Nose showed a tremendous amount of floral qualities to go along with tart citrus and mineral notes. Light bodied with the same dominant fruit notes of white pear and white apple that my prior bottle showed. Continues to exhibit good mid-body depth. The fruit expression is assisted by the lemon, lime and grapefruit notes on the backside that bring out the best of the pear-apple through the middle and the interplay between these elements contributes both to complexity and balance. Really enjoying how this wine is currently drinking and will probably open my next bottle in November 2023.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really intense, aromatic nose with mixed citrus and white pear. Light bodied (12.5% ABV) with white pear upfront, followed by white apple through the middle as it opens up and warms a touch. What's special is the backside with lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit along with tropical hints and lengthy, lingering acidity. These elements combine to provide liveliness and quite a bit more balance than I was expecting. Lots of potential here and should improve over the near term. However, with enough bottles, I'll plan to open my next bottle in July 2023.
90/91. Has aromas of veggies, stones, limes and lemons. Its savoury dry medium bodied palate is juicy, fresh and lightly grassy. Ends longish, fresh and tapering. 12.5%. Went well with chicken curry. A bit like a Sancerre.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A wine that rated #1 on Wine Spectators Top Value wines for 2021. Very typical SB flavors but a bit too much grassiness for my preference. Lemon green apple, grass, stone.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
NY Wine Experience 2022; 10/20/2022-10/23/2022 (Marriott Marquis): Ok - it's a bit tough to be placed directly after the '08 Champagne flight where few would use terms like QPR or value and then be the value wine of the year (in context, it looks like you can buy multiple cases of this wine before you could buy one bottle of any of those). So resetting palate. This is young and fresh and while it has that NZ green it's not overdone at all. I can see the appeal of a warm summer day in the green hills and popping a cork here. I don't think I'd search it out, but if I needed a wine off a wine list with less wine focused friends this one I'd consider.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Overall was never a fan of New Zealand SB, but if you're looking for a new world style fruit-driven fresh zesty summer wine for the middle of the week, this isn't the worst choice, especially for the price. Hugh acidity with dry finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opinion on this one for me has changed since I last tried it 9 months ago and feel more positive about this wine than I did. Still see it as just a tad over acidic and sharp and not overly fruity. its certainly a value.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This a classic NZ SB with an excellent QPR. Nose has grapefruit with minerality; body is light but taste is full-flavored; on its own the finish is tart but with food (seared scallops with creamy corn, tomatoes and chives) it loses its edge and becomes a perfectly integrated accompaniment.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine tastes a bit sharp to me (sips higher than the 12.5% ABV suggests); flavors include tart lemon/lime and sour apple; high minerality with grassy undertones, tastes more like a Loire Sauvignon Blanc to me than one from NZ...based on my very limited experience with this varietal
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose is bright and full lime and very interesting there’s interesting weight and fruit. Palate is acidic and bright with dense citrus notes and a long clean finish Would buy again
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2021 vintage resulted in a smaller crop and thus more flavor. Voted wine value of the year by WS. I've only had this wine once before in the 2016 vintage. This was an excelllent SB. Wine Spectators rating of 93 is fairly accurate. Fresh and lively with citrus, gooseberry and grassy notes. 92 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Without getting too serious about notes, this is like a comic book NZ SB. Everything is turned to 11. Pale yellow color. Nose is intense, grapefruit/fruit bowl, grass. It's a textbook NZ SB profile, just everything turned up a notch. Kinda fun wine but at least to me palate fatigue hits pretty quick.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is not a typical Sauv Blanc in that its flavor profile is dominated by lemon and citrus flavors. This makes it a distinctively different wine from other New Zealand and American versions in this price range. There is more than enough acid to remind the drinker that this is wine and not pulp-free lemonade. I found it extremely pleasant and satisfying.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2nd of these recently. both times after drinking these my stomach/head have felt a little off post drinking. Not sure if I just don't get along with something inside this.
Beside for my adverse reaction these are zippy and crisp and nice summer drinker.
Will continue to try some other NZ SB brands and see if I have different reaction.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As before, except that this bottle seemed "grassier" and less fruity. On day 2 the fruit was back in charge. Maybe has to do with what you're eating alongside it....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Disappointing. Mostly grapefruit on the nose with slight suggestion of mango on palate. Fairly simple. Not the acidity i expect from a good sauvignon blanc. Plenty of better choices in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Intense aromatics of lemon, grapefruit, herbs/grass and a hint of pineapple. High acidity; medium alcohol. Very nicely balanced and lengthy finish. A beautiful spring/ summer porch pounder.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I'm a bit of an outlier (if one doesn't count WS, who scored this a 93), but I found this to be an almost ideal SB, at least on the first night. The texture reminded me of a white Bordeaux; loads of tropical fruits screamed NZ without the sweaty armpits; and some chalky grass sat in the background without being too bitter. I really found the balance in this wine to be exceptional, even without considering the price. The 2nd night it was still very good, but lost some of its texture and was more obviously a NZ wine. Great QPR, though I don't know if it will age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP from cold fridge had with crab cake. Not one of my better pairings (too much grapefruit for the baked crab cake, but that is my fault and nothing against the wine).
Grapefruit, kiwi, lemon, acidic, clean and refreshing. Will try next bottle as patio pounder or at the pool on hot day without food.
On 2nd night still too much grapefruit pithe for me. Going to try tinput hut 2021 Sav Blanc next and compare the 2.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine delivers a lot of value, and has for the last few vintages. Packs a (fruit) punch, probably just a little more ripeness of fruit than I’d normally prefer, but it’s representative of typical NZ SB. Bright, fresh acidity helps provide balance and food-friendliness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A guilty pleasure. It's like getting hit with a fruit bowl, the grapefruit hits you first, then the mango and pineapple, lifted, with a grassy finish. Essence of New World SB and cheap as chips at $12.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Like a wholly different wine. Well integrated salty kiwi and stone fruits, pineapple, and citrus pith, and a long sour patch kid finish. What a turnaround.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I am a Sauv Blanc fan, more Cali than NZ. But this one is really excellent. Opening scents are grapefruit and lemon, florals and some verdant. Not too much grass (I don't like a lot of that), and very crisp with a bit of acidic tartness. Excellent value - for now in my personal top 5 Sauv Blanc. Will buy more for sure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oak Knoll neighborhood wine tasting. 2nd wine of the night.
An awesome wine with a plethora of flavors. Where do I start ? The nose is freshly mown lawn combined with lemon and pink grapefruit. In mouth the wine is so fresh with lively acidity and fresh lemon, pineapple, unripened Apple and tangerine. Wow .... is this such a shock of a wine. This runs the risk of being the WOTY for its price/ quality ratio.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Spectator's #1 Value Wine of the Year. The bottle at $13 costs less than most restaurant wines by the glass. Grassy flavor, soft mouth feel, it's okay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
There's a low ceiling for NZ SB, and this one comes close to hitting it. Not long on complexity, but loads of fresh fruit throughout. Meyer lemon, grapefruit, apricot, and gooseberry coalesce with hints of cut grass riding shotgun. Lively acidity, and a nice match with a Greek Salad.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not sure how many of you out there pay real close attention to vintages; I am obsessed with them. Stands to reason that if I’m reviewing wine, I want to factor in and compare vintages, especially when I’ve had the wine from previous vintages.
For the last two vintages I have reviewed a wonderful wine and have now ventured into the latest vintage, the:
Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
All three vintages scored 92 or 93 points and 2020 was 23rd in the Top 100 wines for Wine Spectator in 2020, so when 2021 showed up and scored 93 points, I wanted to get me a bottle. So starts my descent into being an arse.
Checking a local wine shop’s online inventory, I see that they have the 2021 vintage as well as 2020. Not unusual as wines that they sell by the caseloads goes quickly. Off I go to secure some bottles for my upcoming review.
Once there, I found an endcap with what had to be 30 to 40 cases of the wine stacked neatly. Wanting to make sure I get the 2021 vintage I start to scan both the open and unopened boxes for the vintage date. Every one of them were the 2020 vintage! Knowing that online they showed the newest vintage, I wandered over to a friendly salesperson to inquire if they did indeed have the 2021 and if so, could I get some of those bottles.
They indicated that as their inventory count was fast approaching, they wanted to sell what was on the floor first (2020). I’ve done inventory counts and at a place this large that has to be an ordeal. They mentioned that 2020 was in the Top 100 but I retorted that 2021 got 93 points versus 92 for the year-earlier vintage. Asking why I wanted the newer vintage, I responded that I was a wine blogger and as I have already reviewed 2020, I wanted to get my hands on 2021. Reasonable request I thought, while also mentioning my proclivity towards buying a good bit of wine from them, I felt reassured that my request would be honored.
As I had hoped, the salesperson was more than happy to oblige and retrieve some bottles for me, thus supporting my decision to continue to associate with the store, knowing that I had just made someone’s counting job just a tad more difficult. Oh well, isn’t the customer always right?
Once tasted, I again felt swept up in the wine’s aromas and flavors that I had tasted twice before. Aromatic on the nose with tropical flavors of mango, pineapple, and citrus, wrapped in bright acidity with a touch of minerality. Scrumptious.
Knowing the consistency of the wine, and if it’s still on sale, I may just go back and buy some of the 2020 to help reduce their stock and maybe reduce my reputation as a pain in the arse.
Cheer
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank over several nights. Popping with fresh lime, citrus, bit of chalk, light backdrop of softer tropical fruits. Good but not overwhelming acidity, fresh, alive. Medium body that seemed more substantive as such on day 2 and 3. Nice finish. May improve a bit with some bottle time, though quite enjoyable just for what it is now.
Repeat wine, really like this Sauv Blanc. Will buy some more when it gets hot again. Lively acidity, Meyer Lemon, tropical notes, and some SB grassiness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delicious and even better QPR. Characteristic NZ Sauvignon Blanc grassiness on the nose but juicy citrus, perhaps grapefruit, on the tongue. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little one dimensional at the moment .. passion fruit in a glass .. excess acid .. but lovely nevertheless.. interesting to see what it does in a year
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rated #1 by Wine Spectators Top 10 values of 2021. I paid $19 USD. Mouthwatering acidity, an excellent and pronounced aroma. Palate of Meyer Lemon, lime, and tropical fruit of passion fruit, some grass and minerals. Very well balanced. One of the better Sauv Blancs I've drank.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting notes on night #2. Pale lemon in colour with aromas of gooseberry, citrus, grapefruit/lemon. On the palate, full bodied citrus, grapefruit, lemon/lime, gooseberry, high acidity, & a long finish to a spicy, saline minerality. This is fresh, tangy, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, very nice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nectarine, grapefruit, cut grass with a hint of chamomile. Creamy mid-palate with a long, dry finish. Beautiful balance. More Sancerre than NZ in style. A real pretty SB and very good QPR. Served with country chicken and biscuits.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So much lime, lemon, and grapefruit. What the heck do you eat with a grapefruit? It shrugs off cheese, meats, veggies. It’s a big, brash citrus fest. A little more tame on Day 2
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
OK, I'll be honest: At the back of my head, I'm thinking "this is really an over the top, slap in your face, style of wine, but I'm going to buy it anyway because of the low price." Our non wino friends like these and I enjoy them when I pop one for ourselves as it's "not a serious wine" and you don't have to over think it.
Served chilled. Clear, plywood blonde in color. Tart grapefruit and gooseberry attack with green citrus with sour under ripe fruit notes; light in bodyweight; ends with a tart and sour lime finish with a semi dry finish. Good. (I'm so glad that these aren't sweet which is my biggest bugaboo with NZ SBs).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale, light in color, almost clear. Full, forward & attractive nose of citrus notes of white grapefruit & lemons/limes with overtones of lemongrass & gooseberries, some floral notes & a hint of mineral notes in the background. Light bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of citrus of lemons/limes & white grapefruit & minerals. Lingering finish with a slight hint of residual sugar. Drinks quite well at present & has a good QPR when found at discount. While not complex, it does not rate a mere"70" or even an "80" unless it was an off bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is very consistent from vintage to vintage, and the 2021 is particularly good. Lots of citrus and hints of grass on the nose. The bright, acidic palate is lively and complex, showing prominent notes of Meyer lemon, dried green herbs and a touch of pineapple. Finishes long, with lingering hints of grass and mineral. Very Sancerre-like in style, much more so than most NZ Sauvignon Blancs. Mouthwatering, refreshing and delicious. A no-brainer at around $13. 50+5+12+17+7=91
Day 1: Really solid effort for the money. Dust, minerals, grapefruit, flint and floral notes. Not the in your face of some NZ SB's. 90 points Day 2: Mineral driven on day 2. Not the Grapefruit overload of too many New Zealand SB's. Minerals, gunflint, mild grapefruit, tropical fruit and floral. Complex offering for under $15.00. One of the better of the year. 91 points Day 2.75: Nice and will be buying more of this wine. Certainly my style of NZ SB. Recommendation: If you don't like manufactured SB you will enjoy this and under $15.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Apricot, grapefruit and cut grass. Creamy mid palate with a lingering crisp finish. Good acidic balance. A very well made NZ SB and VG QPR. Served with chicken soup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
So interesting and different. The bouquet is lovely and both it and the flavor has a lovely peachy/lemony quality. The peach is very forward but in a good way. It's crisp and dry but lovely fruit and herbaceous flavors.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened not decanted and served chilled. Paired with Burmese food. Quick notes: green melon with something almost like the sweetness of pineapple juice contrasting and ending with sour lemon. Tends to be too sweet for my palate. A well priced cocktail wine that can be consumed by itself. Good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
It’s a bit cold outside to be enjoying a glass of herbaceous sunshine in a glass, but when the new vintage Marlborough savvies start to arrive, it is always great to reacquaint myself with why these are simply stunning as young as possible! Intense gooseberry, cut grass, filled with estery goodness. Quite a soft palate entry, with a supple texture, that conceals very bright acids. My recollection of the 2020 was that it was bigger that’s this, but perhaps more brash. The balance is lovely, and may gain weight by the time Southern Hemisphere summer rolls around (writing this on the shortest day in NZ). Always a pleasure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
12/3/2023 - clarktoews Likes this wine: 91 Points
Incredible value here. Super fresh classic NZ Sauv Blanc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2023 - rogervanzant357 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Decent SB, will buy more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/11/2023 - kistdg wrote: 92 Points
Ozona Blue b4 Martin Barre (Tull) concert at CPPAC in Largo w Ron&Tina.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2023 - crcarlson Likes this wine: 91 Points
clean
clear straw to gold
med plus intense lemon, gooseberry, fresh fig, white flowers nose
high axidity
medium plus alcohol
slight CO2 fizz
lemon, lime on the palate, no pith
Dry
A beautiful NZ SB, slight vegetal / gooseberry conpared to a us or eu style. Great QPR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2023 - gharter Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP. Grapefruit, citrus, meyer lemon, ginger, pear aromas. Similar flavors with grapefruit, citrus up front with lemon, ginger and pear later on. Good acidity. Smooth finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2023 - clarktoews Likes this wine: 92 Points
One of the best Sauvignon Blancs for the price that I have had from NZ
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2023 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 Points
Prior bottle was only a month ago, so my notes were unsurprisingly nearly identical. Nose showed a tremendous amount of floral qualities to go along with tart citrus and mineral notes. Light bodied with the same dominant fruit notes of white pear and white apple that my prior bottle showed. Continues to exhibit good mid-body depth. The fruit expression is assisted by the lemon, lime and grapefruit notes on the backside that bring out the best of the pear-apple through the middle and the interplay between these elements contributes both to complexity and balance. Really enjoying how this wine is currently drinking and will probably open my next bottle in November 2023.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2023 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really intense, aromatic nose with mixed citrus and white pear. Light bodied (12.5% ABV) with white pear upfront, followed by white apple through the middle as it opens up and warms a touch. What's special is the backside with lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit along with tropical hints and lengthy, lingering acidity. These elements combine to provide liveliness and quite a bit more balance than I was expecting. Lots of potential here and should improve over the near term. However, with enough bottles, I'll plan to open my next bottle in July 2023.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/17/2023 - jmull Likes this wine: 90 Points
NZ SB from central casting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2023 - kistdg wrote:
DONATED TO PRIESTS DINNER W CHIOPINO, SALAD AND BREAD.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2023 - SingleTrackRide Likes this wine: 92 Points
Super aromatic, tons of acidity, tons of peach, citrus and herbaceous undertones, mid-weight on the palette, short finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2023 - WIART wrote: 85 Points
Grass, lime, and sulfur nose. Astringent.
Palatable, but certainly not what I expected from a Wine Spectator top value of the year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2023 - gggboss wrote: 90 Points
Very good SB,for me a NZ style…
Sancerre and P Fume notable more dry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2023 - macaujames Likes this wine: 91 Points
90/91. Has aromas of veggies, stones, limes and lemons. Its savoury dry medium bodied palate is juicy, fresh and lightly grassy. Ends longish, fresh and tapering. 12.5%. Went well with chicken curry. A bit like a Sancerre.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2023 - Duce wrote: 92 Points
Excellent New Zealand Sauvignon blanc. Grapefruit lemon, some green melon tones.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2023 - Scott4227 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fruit and acidity bomb has passed, probably peak drinking now. Almost Sancerre in style now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2023 - mazik wrote:
Served to the white-wine-only crowd with cassoulet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/20/2023 - smenzies wrote: 90 Points
The fruit bomb has subsided ... suggesting drinking within this year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2023 - fresso Likes this wine: 89 Points
With tequila-lime chicken skewers, rice, and grilled zucchini.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2022 - C.W.Birdies wrote:
Delicious and refreshing. Notes of lemon, grapefruit and perfect level of acidity. Looking forward to getting more
4.0
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
Temperatures warmed up so decided to drink my last bottle of this tasty and well priced SB. Grapefruit, peach, guava, and grass.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2022 - hiker_guy Likes this wine:
Clearly New Zealand
Nose of bright lime and fresh cut grass in the spring
Palate is nicely cut with high acidity, minerals and citrus notes .
Long clean finish .
Would buy again
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
Grapefruit, passion fruit, grass. Refreshingly high acidity and excellent QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
A wine that rated #1 on Wine Spectators Top Value wines for 2021. Very typical SB flavors but a bit too much grassiness for my preference. Lemon green apple, grass, stone.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
NY Wine Experience 2022; 10/20/2022-10/23/2022 (Marriott Marquis): Ok - it's a bit tough to be placed directly after the '08 Champagne flight where few would use terms like QPR or value and then be the value wine of the year (in context, it looks like you can buy multiple cases of this wine before you could buy one bottle of any of those). So resetting palate. This is young and fresh and while it has that NZ green it's not overdone at all. I can see the appeal of a warm summer day in the green hills and popping a cork here. I don't think I'd search it out, but if I needed a wine off a wine list with less wine focused friends this one I'd consider.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2022 - grub94 wrote: 87 Points
See my earlier notes. Disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2022 - DDicaprio Likes this wine: 88 Points
Overall was never a fan of New Zealand SB, but if you're looking for a new world style fruit-driven fresh zesty summer wine for the middle of the week, this isn't the worst choice, especially for the price. Hugh acidity with dry finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2022 - JustOneMoreGlass Likes this wine:
Not as complex as I hoped. Will try again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2022 - Drmrfy wrote:
Wine Spectators #1 of top 100 values of 2021
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2022 - Huntemw wrote: 89 Points
Refreshing. Citrus, grapefruit. Would buy again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/28/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
A Wine Spectator #1 in their list of top value wines. Great acidity and freshness with flavors of citrus, lemon, grass, and tropical fruits.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2022 - DDicaprio Likes this wine: 88 Points
Opinion on this one for me has changed since I last tried it 9 months ago and feel more positive about this wine than I did. Still see it as just a tad over acidic and sharp and not overly fruity. its certainly a value.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2022 - RE/MAXRick wrote: 80 Points
Sulphur taste.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2022 - Janstan Likes this wine: 89 Points
Went well with seared scallops
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2022 - Oberhau Likes this wine: 91 Points
This a classic NZ SB with an excellent QPR. Nose has grapefruit with minerality; body is light but taste is full-flavored; on its own the finish is tart but with food (seared scallops with creamy corn, tomatoes and chives) it loses its edge and becomes a perfectly integrated accompaniment.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2022 - wayfarer Likes this wine:
Quite nice again....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2022 - stamperb wrote: 82 Points
This wine tastes a bit sharp to me (sips higher than the 12.5% ABV suggests); flavors include tart lemon/lime and sour apple; high minerality with grassy undertones, tastes more like a Loire Sauvignon Blanc to me than one from NZ...based on my very limited experience with this varietal
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2022 - jacoleman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another solid year for Allan Scott. Great acidity and freshness for a summer’s day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2022 - hiker_guy Likes this wine:
Nose is bright and full lime and very interesting there’s interesting weight and fruit.
Palate is acidic and bright with dense citrus notes and a long clean finish
Would buy again
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2022 - Ed Manville Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opens up as it get warmer
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2022 - UMRich Likes this wine: 90 Points
Unmistakable as a NZ SB. Very enjoyable with scallops in a spicy pan sauce
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2022 - wino121 wrote: 88 Points
Text book NZ, becomes tedious after a few glasses
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2022 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hey! This is really good SB. I love the lemony notes on the nose and tongue. Clean and crisp. Overall, a big success for this winery..
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2022 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
The 2021 vintage resulted in a smaller crop and thus more flavor. Voted wine value of the year by WS. I've only had this wine once before in the 2016 vintage. This was an excelllent SB. Wine Spectators rating of 93 is fairly accurate. Fresh and lively with citrus, gooseberry and grassy notes. 92 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2022 - MrSpaceMan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Classic SavB, but a bit more intense. Green apple, grass, acidic. Very pleasurable for the hot summer day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2022 - NavyVet6874 wrote: 92 Points
Excellent
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2022 - TBaylog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Super quality for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2022 - pballwzrd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice well balanced blanc
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2022 - dera Likes this wine: 90 Points
Without getting too serious about notes, this is like a comic book NZ SB. Everything is turned to 11. Pale yellow color. Nose is intense, grapefruit/fruit bowl, grass. It's a textbook NZ SB profile, just everything turned up a notch. Kinda fun wine but at least to me palate fatigue hits pretty quick.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2022 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is not a typical Sauv Blanc in that its flavor profile is dominated by lemon and citrus flavors. This makes it a distinctively different wine from other New Zealand and American versions in this price range. There is more than enough acid to remind the drinker that this is wine and not pulp-free lemonade. I found it extremely pleasant and satisfying.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2022 - Steve Simmons Likes this wine:
2nd of these recently. both times after drinking these my stomach/head have felt a little off post drinking. Not sure if I just don't get along with something inside this.
Beside for my adverse reaction these are zippy and crisp and nice summer drinker.
Will continue to try some other NZ SB brands and see if I have different reaction.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2022 - Reg634 wrote: 86 Points
Overpowering grapefruit
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2022 - mazik Likes this wine: 91 Points
As before, except that this bottle seemed "grassier" and less fruity. On day 2 the fruit was back in charge. Maybe has to do with what you're eating alongside it....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2022 - MichaelMcDonald Likes this wine: 85 Points
Strong fruit-forward taste and smell. Gorgeous color. Excellent relaxing wine on a hot / humid day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2022 - grub94 Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Disappointing. Mostly grapefruit on the nose with slight suggestion of mango on palate. Fairly simple. Not the acidity i expect from a good sauvignon blanc. Plenty of better choices in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2022 - denniswdern@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Intense aromatics of lemon, grapefruit, herbs/grass and a hint of pineapple. High acidity; medium alcohol. Very nicely balanced and lengthy finish. A beautiful spring/ summer porch pounder.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2022 - Quarked wrote: 92 Points
I'm a bit of an outlier (if one doesn't count WS, who scored this a 93), but I found this to be an almost ideal SB, at least on the first night. The texture reminded me of a white Bordeaux; loads of tropical fruits screamed NZ without the sweaty armpits; and some chalky grass sat in the background without being too bitter. I really found the balance in this wine to be exceptional, even without considering the price. The 2nd night it was still very good, but lost some of its texture and was more obviously a NZ wine. Great QPR, though I don't know if it will age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2022 - Jurko1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent sav blanc. Just right NZ sav blanc. Get this
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2022 - Steve Simmons Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP from cold fridge had with crab cake. Not one of my better pairings (too much grapefruit for the baked crab cake, but that is my fault and nothing against the wine).
Grapefruit, kiwi, lemon, acidic, clean and refreshing.
Will try next bottle as patio pounder or at the pool on hot day without food.
On 2nd night still too much grapefruit pithe for me. Going to try tinput hut 2021 Sav Blanc next and compare the 2.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2022 - Cosmo M. Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine delivers a lot of value, and has for the last few vintages. Packs a (fruit) punch, probably just a little more ripeness of fruit than I’d normally prefer, but it’s representative of typical NZ SB. Bright, fresh acidity helps provide balance and food-friendliness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2022 - Janstan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Melon, crisp
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2022 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Pamplemousse et silex mais pas à outrance et
le buis est presqu'absent.
Simple mais frais et suave.
Pas méchant pour du SB!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2022 - mazik Likes this wine: 93 Points
A guilty pleasure. It's like getting hit with a fruit bowl, the grapefruit hits you first, then the mango and pineapple, lifted, with a grassy finish. Essence of New World SB and cheap as chips at $12.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2022 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very vivid citrus and sweet tropical fruit flavors that need more acid to brighten the framework. Very clean with no defects.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2022 - BadOyster wrote: 92 Points
Like a wholly different wine. Well integrated salty kiwi and stone fruits, pineapple, and citrus pith, and a long sour patch kid finish. What a turnaround.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2022 - bstryd Likes this wine: 91 Points
I am a Sauv Blanc fan, more Cali than NZ. But this one is really excellent. Opening scents are grapefruit and lemon, florals and some verdant. Not too much grass (I don't like a lot of that), and very crisp with a bit of acidic tartness. Excellent value - for now in my personal top 5 Sauv Blanc. Will buy more for sure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2022 - tomoem Likes this wine: 92 Points
Oak Knoll neighborhood wine tasting. 2nd wine of the night.
An awesome wine with a plethora of flavors. Where do I start ? The nose is freshly mown lawn combined with lemon and pink grapefruit. In mouth the wine is so fresh with lively acidity and fresh lemon, pineapple, unripened Apple and tangerine. Wow .... is this such a shock of a wine. This runs the risk of being the WOTY for its price/ quality ratio.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2022 - aatherton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good side of classic NZ SB. Good QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/14/2022 - Dine&Vine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great QPR SB. Bright and fresh, lime, kiwi and a bit of grassiness. Nice wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2022 - der Schmecker Likes this wine: 80 Points
Wine Spectator's #1 Value Wine of the Year. The bottle at $13 costs less than most restaurant wines by the glass. Grassy flavor, soft mouth feel, it's okay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2022 - wayfarer Likes this wine:
Full of it again. Nice nz sb fix, particularly nice day 1, lovely freshness, grew a bit green vegetal day 2, still good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2022 - sungheesong wrote:
알콜향은 느껴짐 .가성비 쇼블
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2022 - robertp57 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Aroma of citrus and stone fruit, moderate acidity and minerality. 12.5% ABV. Delicious. Loved it with onion and olive pizza and a salad. Buy again
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2022 - Acostaca Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine made me like Sauvignon blanc. Excellent!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2022 - R2-D2 wrote: 88 Points
Pretty bang on Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, grapefruit and acidity out the wazoo.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2022 - DDicaprio Does not like this wine: 85 Points
nothing like previous vintages that I enjoyed, this was too sharp and acidic, hope this isn't a trend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2022 - ziavino wrote: 91 Points
There's a low ceiling for NZ SB, and this one comes close to hitting it. Not long on complexity, but loads of fresh fruit throughout. Meyer lemon, grapefruit, apricot, and gooseberry coalesce with hints of cut grass riding shotgun. Lively acidity, and a nice match with a Greek Salad.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2022 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
I Can Be a Real Pain In the Arse
Not sure how many of you out there pay real close attention to vintages; I am obsessed with them. Stands to reason that if I’m reviewing wine, I want to factor in and compare vintages, especially when I’ve had the wine from previous vintages.
For the last two vintages I have reviewed a wonderful wine and have now ventured into the latest vintage, the:
Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
All three vintages scored 92 or 93 points and 2020 was 23rd in the Top 100 wines for Wine Spectator in 2020, so when 2021 showed up and scored 93 points, I wanted to get me a bottle. So starts my descent into being an arse.
Checking a local wine shop’s online inventory, I see that they have the 2021 vintage as well as 2020. Not unusual as wines that they sell by the caseloads goes quickly. Off I go to secure some bottles for my upcoming review.
Once there, I found an endcap with what had to be 30 to 40 cases of the wine stacked neatly. Wanting to make sure I get the 2021 vintage I start to scan both the open and unopened boxes for the vintage date. Every one of them were the 2020 vintage! Knowing that online they showed the newest vintage, I wandered over to a friendly salesperson to inquire if they did indeed have the 2021 and if so, could I get some of those bottles.
They indicated that as their inventory count was fast approaching, they wanted to sell what was on the floor first (2020). I’ve done inventory counts and at a place this large that has to be an ordeal. They mentioned that 2020 was in the Top 100 but I retorted that 2021 got 93 points versus 92 for the year-earlier vintage. Asking why I wanted the newer vintage, I responded that I was a wine blogger and as I have already reviewed 2020, I wanted to get my hands on 2021. Reasonable request I thought, while also mentioning my proclivity towards buying a good bit of wine from them, I felt reassured that my request would be honored.
As I had hoped, the salesperson was more than happy to oblige and retrieve some bottles for me, thus supporting my decision to continue to associate with the store, knowing that I had just made someone’s counting job just a tad more difficult. Oh well, isn’t the customer always right?
Once tasted, I again felt swept up in the wine’s aromas and flavors that I had tasted twice before. Aromatic on the nose with tropical flavors of mango, pineapple, and citrus, wrapped in bright acidity with a touch of minerality. Scrumptious.
Knowing the consistency of the wine, and if it’s still on sale, I may just go back and buy some of the 2020 to help reduce their stock and maybe reduce my reputation as a pain in the arse.
Cheer
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2022 - Jobu wrote: 92 Points
Lots of lemon upfront. Some lime, tropical citrus, and a bit of peach. Acidic, with minerals, and a nice tart finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2022 - Eliane2022 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Sweet beginning, peach, apricot and sour finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2022 - signotim Likes this wine: 90 Points
Love the purity of the tart citrus fruit... so clean and fresh. Very nice, soft texture as well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2022 - emunn wrote: 86 Points
Strong lemon flavor up front and a slightly bitter finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2022 - wayfarer Likes this wine:
Great qpr and enjoyable again--alive with lime/citrus, some tropical fruit and mineral.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2022 - wayfarer Likes this wine:
Drank over several nights. Popping with fresh lime, citrus, bit of chalk, light backdrop of softer tropical fruits. Good but not overwhelming acidity, fresh, alive. Medium body that seemed more substantive as such on day 2 and 3. Nice finish. May improve a bit with some bottle time, though quite enjoyable just for what it is now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/23/2022 - tanglenet wrote:
Same as previous note but paired with FR onion soup.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2022 - tanglenet wrote:
Same as previous note but paired with a FR onion soup.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
Repeat wine, really like this Sauv Blanc. Will buy some more when it gets hot again. Lively acidity, Meyer Lemon, tropical notes, and some SB grassiness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2022 - chairmanzian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious and even better QPR. Characteristic NZ Sauvignon Blanc grassiness on the nose but juicy citrus, perhaps grapefruit, on the tongue. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2022 - smenzies wrote: 90 Points
A little one dimensional at the moment .. passion fruit in a glass .. excess acid .. but lovely nevertheless.. interesting to see what it does in a year
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2022 - tanglenet wrote:
Same note as before.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2022 - tanglenet wrote:
Same note as before
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rated #1 by Wine Spectators Top 10 values of 2021. I paid $19 USD. Mouthwatering acidity, an excellent and pronounced aroma. Palate of Meyer Lemon, lime, and tropical fruit of passion fruit, some grass and minerals. Very well balanced. One of the better Sauv Blancs I've drank.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2022 - CDT Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasting notes on night #2.
Pale lemon in colour with aromas of gooseberry, citrus, grapefruit/lemon.
On the palate, full bodied citrus, grapefruit, lemon/lime, gooseberry, high acidity, & a long finish to a spicy, saline minerality.
This is fresh, tangy, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, very nice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2022 - hoservin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nectarine, grapefruit, cut grass with a hint of chamomile. Creamy mid-palate with a long, dry finish. Beautiful balance. More Sancerre than NZ in style. A real pretty SB and very good QPR. Served with country chicken and biscuits.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2022 - BadOyster wrote: 88 Points
So much lime, lemon, and grapefruit. What the heck do you eat with a grapefruit? It shrugs off cheese, meats, veggies. It’s a big, brash citrus fest. A little more tame on Day 2
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2022 - tanglenet wrote:
OK, I'll be honest: At the back of my head, I'm thinking "this is really an over the top, slap in your face, style of wine, but I'm going to buy it anyway because of the low price." Our non wino friends like these and I enjoy them when I pop one for ourselves as it's "not a serious wine" and you don't have to over think it.
Served chilled. Clear, plywood blonde in color. Tart grapefruit and gooseberry attack with green citrus with sour under ripe fruit notes; light in bodyweight; ends with a tart and sour lime finish with a semi dry finish. Good. (I'm so glad that these aren't sweet which is my biggest bugaboo with NZ SBs).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pale, light in color, almost clear. Full, forward & attractive nose of citrus notes of white grapefruit & lemons/limes with overtones of lemongrass & gooseberries, some floral notes & a hint of mineral notes in the background. Light bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of citrus of lemons/limes & white grapefruit & minerals. Lingering finish with a slight hint of residual sugar. Drinks quite well at present & has a good QPR when found at discount. While not complex, it does not rate a mere"70" or even an "80" unless it was an off bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2022 - jesi1882@gmail.com Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Second bottle 7/19/22
Definitely better than the first. Intensely aromatic, pungent gooseberry with a slight waxy character.
Definitely first bottle was off. But I wasn’t a huge fan of this. Just kind of synthetic and monotone
First bottle
Very very light yellow green
Chicken fat? Dried herbs, canned asparagus fart
Taut, unripe , wow
Maybe some air will help
2.5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/3/2022 - Bam_Man wrote: 91 Points
This is very consistent from vintage to vintage, and the 2021 is particularly good. Lots of citrus and hints of grass on the nose. The bright, acidic palate is lively and complex, showing prominent notes of Meyer lemon, dried green herbs and a touch of pineapple. Finishes long, with lingering hints of grass and mineral. Very Sancerre-like in style, much more so than most NZ Sauvignon Blancs. Mouthwatering, refreshing and delicious. A no-brainer at around $13.
50+5+12+17+7=91
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
12/29/2021 - shellylowen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Herbaceous nose, big body, grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry, lots of acid but not in your face, very long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2021 - innesa wrote: 90 Points
Grass and green notes, all herby, SWMBO loved it, me not so much 😞
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2021 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 91 Points
Day 1: Really solid effort for the money. Dust, minerals, grapefruit, flint and floral notes. Not the in your face of some NZ SB's. 90 points
Day 2: Mineral driven on day 2. Not the Grapefruit overload of too many New Zealand SB's. Minerals, gunflint, mild grapefruit, tropical fruit and floral. Complex offering for under $15.00. One of the better of the year. 91 points
Day 2.75: Nice and will be buying more of this wine. Certainly my style of NZ SB.
Recommendation: If you don't like manufactured SB you will enjoy this and under $15.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2021 - tanglenet wrote:
Same note as before.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2021 - hoservin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Apricot, grapefruit and cut grass. Creamy mid palate with a lingering crisp finish. Good acidic balance. A very well made NZ SB and VG QPR. Served with chicken soup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2021 - bianca15 Likes this wine: 90 Points
So interesting and different. The bouquet is lovely and both it and the flavor has a lovely peachy/lemony quality. The peach is very forward but in a good way. It's crisp and dry but lovely fruit and herbaceous flavors.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2021 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted and served chilled. Paired with Burmese food. Quick notes: green melon with something almost like the sweetness of pineapple juice contrasting and ending with sour lemon. Tends to be too sweet for my palate. A well priced cocktail wine that can be consumed by itself. Good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2021 - dodo_eya_ Does not like this wine: 70 Points
그냥그냥
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2021 - Marc wrote: 86 Points
It’s a bit cold outside to be enjoying a glass of herbaceous sunshine in a glass, but when the new vintage Marlborough savvies start to arrive, it is always great to reacquaint myself with why these are simply stunning as young as possible! Intense gooseberry, cut grass, filled with estery goodness. Quite a soft palate entry, with a supple texture, that conceals very bright acids. My recollection of the 2020 was that it was bigger that’s this, but perhaps more brash. The balance is lovely, and may gain weight by the time Southern Hemisphere summer rolls around (writing this on the shortest day in NZ). Always a pleasure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment