Recommendation: A quintessential New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on steroids.
Winery/Producer: Matua Wines; Waimauku, New Zealand.
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Awatere Valley Marlborough, New Zealand.
Vintage: 2014
Price: $29.99 (NZ$) about $22.40 (US$) plus a $20 corking fee.
Purchased From: Glengarry Wines, City Store; Auckland, New Zealand.
Paired With: Caesar salad with garlic and parmesan cheese. Scallops with artichoke puree and tomato confit.
Tasting:
He said: Chilled before opening. Crystal clear, very light lemon color. Aroma, WOW!!! It’s powerful gooseberry and a little guava. More gooseberry, pineapple, granny smith apple and hints of lemon zest in the taste. All that continues through a long and lingering crisp, slightly tart finish that has a slight bitterness at the very end. An intense New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with “knock-your-socks-off” bouquet and lots of smooth edged taste that continues on through the finish. Although I would described it as powerful and intense New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, it’s easy drinking all by itself. Perfectly paired with the strong flavored scallops.
When drinking wines that need to be chilled, we cool them before opening, then leave the bottle on the table unchilled so it slowly warms up. In most cases the wine improves and the flavors of this Sauvignon Blanc became more distinct and identifiable as it warmed over the course of the dinner.
She said:Clear with irregular medium-wide legs that very slowly made their way downward. It’s a WOW, intense aroma with citrus and tropical fruit overtones. The flavors are at first less intense but quickly assume dominance and last into the long finish that ends with tartness. I expected the wine to overwhelm the scallops but it didn’t and, in fact, went well. But although this wine could be called a typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc it has a lot to offer including its smoothness and versatility. Although a very strong flavored wine it was good with scallops as well as for sipping. It’s a quintessential New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on steroids so buy accordingly.
Comments: Purchased from an Auckland, New Zealand wine shop and consumed in the Britannia Restaurant on board the Cunard Queen Mary 2.
Alcohol: 13%
Bar code: 9 415305 750207
Imported by: NA