QUITE simply, these are the two best New Zealand sauvignon blancs available in WA today.
The Saint Clair winery in the Marlbrough region of New Zealand is clearly that nation’s greatest national and international gold medal and Best Sauvignon Blanc of Show trophy winner.
The Wairau Reserve (its selection as finest release of each vintage) 2011 is absolutely stunning.
It has no oak or serious lees contact and yet still has enormous length and balanced complexity – and intriguing minerality.
This is a great and interesting New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
18.5 points and the RRP is $36.75
Kevin Judd, the winemaker and driving force behind the legendary Cloudy Bay winery for 24 years, founded the Greywacke label three years ago and his new releases have been everything that you could expect from a man with that pedigree.
The 2009 Grey Wacke ‘Wild’ Sauvignon Blanc and the 2010 Pinot Gris were deservedly the highest rated wines of their varieties in a recent 750-plus New Zealand wine taste-off by Robert Parker’s The American Wine Advocate. 18.5pts. RRP $38.75