Good news for those of you who are ready for a change, we’re moving on from riesling tonight and reviewing a sauvignon blanc.
New Zealand has a great reputation for creating exciting sauvignon blanc, full of tropical fruit flavors and vibrant acidity. And Marlborough, where this wine is from, has a particularly strong reputation.
The Stoneleigh vineyard where the grapes for this wine were grown lies in an ancient river bed and the land is filled with old river stones. This creates land that makes the vines struggle, which is reputed to create better wines. The producer also likes to spin a story that the sun reflects from the stones onto the grapes for better ripening and hence, better wines.
The aromas on this sauvignon blanc are surprisingly subtle for a Marlborough sauvignon blanc. That said, it is still quite pleasant and shows some classic cut grass aromas along with citrus and mineral. The palate offers a nice blend of tropical fruit, apple and lime flavors. The acidity is adequate. The finish is medium in length and characterized by citrus and mineral flavors. Overall, this is a well balanced sauvignon blanc that offers something more elegant than the typical in-your-face tropical fruit.
Wine: Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon blanc
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 88
Price: $14.00
Find Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.