WTN: First of 2010

In what was a slightly lower yielding vintage for New Zealand sauvignon blanc come these two delicious, refreshing sauvs.

Sea Level Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2010
As pale and as clear as water, this is fresh and fruity though not overpowering on the nose, oily in texture and fresh and fruity in flavour. With ripe apple and lime, the crisp acidity is balanced by the softness of the texture and sweet fruit expands to pineapple on the finish. Tasted on release, it is like burst of flavour you get when you first bite into a pellet of Juicy Fruit chewing gum. The fruit for this wine comes entirely from the Awatere Valley. Screwcap closure. 13.5% alc. NZ$15.99.

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2010
A gorgeous fresh sauv with a bright fruity aroma and oily textured flavours brimming with tropical fruit, pineapple, tangelo and tangy summer herbs with a juicy richness and unmistakable pungency as it lingers. Several vineyard sites, in both the Awatere Valley and the Wairau Valley , provide the fruit for the delicious tangy wine. Screwcap closure. 13.5% alc. NZ$13.99 - $17.99.

These wines show the exceptional quality from the 2010 vintage that the Marlborough winemakers have been raving about. The weather for the final two months of the season couldn't have been more perfect, while a cold start to the season, a cooler suumer and laying of fewer canes from each vine kept the yield down.

We actually drove both down the Awatere Valley, and up and the the Wairau Valley right on the start of harvest. Everything was looking pristine.

Cheers, Sue

Sounds great, Sue can you remind us what to expect from the `09 vintage?

2009 vintage was good too. The thing is that although the 2010 Sauvs will start to appear on the shelves, the 2009s are still delicous drinking. I had one called the Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc 2009 recently - delicious wine and still fresh as a just opened daisy.
2009 is more like 2007. Good solid wines across the board.

2009 vintage was good too. The thing is that although the 2010 Sauvs will start to appear on the shelves, the 2009s are still delicous drinking. I had one called the Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc 2009 recently - delicious wine and still fresh as a just opened daisy.
2009 is more like 2007. Good solid wines across the board.

Sue, I get the Crossroads and the Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc here, both are under $15 and it's been a while since I have had either. I need to check vintages on both of these. Thanks for a heads up on 2010.

And what about the reds from 2009?
/A

I've enjoyed Crossroads wines and will look for the 2010 Villa Maria Private Bin. It's been several years since I've had a NZ Sauvignon Blanc with the tropical flavor profile.

And what about the reds from 2009?
/A

Yup 2009 was pretty good. You are a pinotphoile so I'm pre-empting your next question. The answer is the pinots are more to comparable to the 2007s than the lighter, 'more elegant' styles produced in 2008.
Also you are quite likely to taste the likes of Felton Road and Craggy Range before me. I will await your verdict.

Cheers,
Sue

[Jenise]

Good news about the '10 vintage, Sue; I'll look forward to my first sip. Are prices up due to lower production?

Good news about the '10 vintage, Sue; I'll look forward to my first sip. Are prices up due to lower production?

Hi Jenise,
I don't think prices will go up. There is still a surplus of wine and a lot of competition. One thing we are seeing, though, is prices of the previous vintage(s) dropping dramatically as warehouses clear stock to cater for the new vintage wines. It's a consumer's market right now basically right across the board.
Cheers,
Sue

[Jenise]

It's a consumer's market right now basically right across the board.
Cheers,
Sue

Wonderful. That's the case here, too, but I wasn't sure if it would hold true in a smaller, more isolated economy like New Zealand's.

I've seen both 2008 and 2009 Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand reduced in price at my usual grocery store.

And what about the reds from 2009?
/A

Yup 2009 was pretty good. You are a pinotphoile so I'm pre-empting your next question. The answer is the pinots are more to comparable to the 2007s than the lighter, 'more elegant' styles produced in 2008.
Also you are quite likely to taste the likes of Felton Road and Craggy Range before me. I will await your verdict.

Cheers,
Sue

Thanks, Sue. I'll let you know if/when I stumble upon any of them.

Cheers,
A

The first 2009 Pinot Noir I saw was from Clifford Bay from Marlborough. It came in about 2 months ago. It took about a month for it to settle down. It shows some nice primary red friuts but develops nicely in the glass. I also think it is better on day 2. Here it is $15. I also really love the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley for $10. I has more intensity than many others near that price.