WTN: 2008 Isabel Sauv Blanc

[Jenise]

This New Zealander was always a favorite of mine back ten years ago, when I paid around $15ish for it year in, year out. It was always great, and prices crept up as it gained popularity in the States. I remember seeing it as high as $21 here in Washington. It was always an austere style, crisp and full of flavor but on the greener side. Then came the 2006, from admittedly a hot year, a ripe, yellow wine unlike any other Isabel ever, low acid and cheesy. I didn't have the 07, but stumbled over the 08 yesterday at $5.99/bottle and couldn't resist buying a few. This is also an austere wine, but it's not like the Isabels of old, it's not crisp and full of flavor. Rather, it's just dry--dull and comparatively characterless, not dilute but seeming underripe and lacking any essential Kiwi-ness. As such, it would probably pair very well with a salad course but as a sipper, it's just...eh.

I also saw this mentionned as a buy here at Grocery Outlet for $6.99. It is a very different style than what I am used to. One person noted that they do some neutral barrel treatment for a portion to add to mouth feel. Even at this price I did not go out and buy cases. Here in Oregon, we are seeing Dashwood 2007 and 2008 Sauvignon Blanc for $8.99 retail. This is more the Marlborough style I am used to tasting.