The 2024 Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) Annual Collection was released in October last year, so it is fair to say that it’s been a while arriving at WineFolio Towers for tasting… Now in its third year, the Collection shows the public a diverse array of styles, each shaped by the unique sub-regions and the winemaking expertise of Marlborough.
“AMW’s Annual Collection continues to recognise and celebrate world-class Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc,” says Michael Wentworth, CEO of AMW. “The 2024 Collection highlights our member’s dedication to quality, expression of our region’s unparalleled terroir, and to winemaking craft.” Appellation Marlborough Wine™ (AMW) was founded in 2018 to protect the integrity and reputation of Marlborough wines by ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, provenance, and sustainability. Only wines that meet AMW’s stringent certification process carry the AMW mark, guaranteeing 100% Marlborough origin, certified sustainable vineyards, and exclusive bottling in New Zealand.
The 2024 collection was judged by three people – Stephen Wong MW, Elaine Chukan Brown (Wine Enthusiast), and Paul Stringer (Moore Wilson), bringing global expertise across education, media, on-trade, and retail sectors. The panel evaluated over 75 current vintage Sauvignon Blancs.
With the different sub-regions of Marlborough now becoming recognised (and recognisable if tasted) it was good, from my perspective, to try a box of wines with a wide span of styles and (as a family member says) ‘taste-able sensations’. Part of the PR that came out with the release of the wines talked of “a top 12 that reflects the region’s unique vineyard sites and winemaking styles”. I’m sure the intention wasn’t deliberately to ‘represent Marlborough’ across those varied expressions, but that, to my mind, is what has ended up in the box here – and I’m all good with that. Here are my thoughts on tasting through…
Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Has one of the biggest geographical spreads – using fruit from as far down as Kekerengu Coast, right through to the Wairau Valley – a triumph of the blender’s art. A delicious green tartness and ‘good bitterness’ is apparent immediately, balancing with some ripe tropical flavours. Boosted by a saline acidity that breezes through the palate, to a concentrated and juicy finish. 92pts
Ahi Kā Blackmore Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Gooseberry, lemon zest, whitecurrant, passionfruit, tomato leaf, apple and crushed green herbals. Vivacious and energetic, with piquant acidity plus some deeper richness from more tropical flavours like pineapple, guava and peach. Humming through the mid-palate, with hints of chalky minerality and spicy jalapeno. The finish brings those myriad elements into balance. 94pts
Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 A vibrant nose of lime zest, nectarine, green tea, nettle and granny smith apple. Opening to wider, golden, tropical fruits, but underpinned and held taut by a saline acidity. Plenty of energy through a palate that shivers with energy, but has a graceful balance too. 92pts
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Inviting, fresh and strikingly perfumed with grapefruit, blackcurrant, apple, lemongrass and passionfruit. I note the tension and some real acid drive through the palate, with more citrus and even tropical flavours emerging. Good textural weight and spice towards the end, and a dry, herbal finish. 91pts
Pretty Paddock Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Intense aromas of blackcurrant, grapefruit, lemongrass, passionfruit, crushed green herbs, pepper and pea pod. Exhuberant and lush with ripe fruits into the palate that has good weight and length. A touch of stony minerality and crushed shell adds a tart rasp across the tongue. A little savoury note shows as fennel, crunchy capsicum lead into a finish with salinity and persistence. 92pts
ROHE Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2024 by Rapaura Springs The scent has gooseberry, passionfruit, blackcurrant, white pepper, juniper, apple and lemon. A crisp acidity highlights the fruit and there is some weight through the palate. A touch of savoury with fennel and bay leaf, then mineral shows in a stony layer before a mouth-watering, well-balanced finish. 92pts
Auntsfield ‘Natures Path’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Brightly scented with aromas of pineapple, lemon, white peach, cucumber and a sweet pea floral top note. Broad and creamily textural on entry to the palate, with richness and weight developing quickly. A dab of tarragon and fennel adds a fresh green, as the wine tightens towards a dry finish with good persistence. 94pts
Whitehaven ‘Block 11’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023 The scent has a reflection of the winemaking (in oak) – with acacia, incense and boxwood notes added to the more recognisable citrus, herbs and blackcurrant on the nose. Texture is to the fore, with a mouthfilling silkiness. Balanced by a zesty acidity that adds precision and line through the palate, this is an elegant alternative take on Marlborough Sav. Should also cellar well. 94pts
Georges Michel Sauvignon Blanc 2024 An engaging bouquet, bursting with pineapple, passionfruit, greengage, grapefruit, woody herbs and lemon blossom. Dry and prickling with a silvery spine of acidity, highlighting the sweet-fruited core – the balance of acid and juice is refined and well-rounded. The tension-filled palate reflects the perfume, carrying to a long finish. 92pts
Isabel Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Classic aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon peel, gooseberry, capsicum and cut grass lead into a palate with broader tropical flavours. There is good concentration and depth, with a densely-packed mid-palate. A pronounced streak of acidity keeps the flavours pumping through to the finish. 92pts
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Passionfruit, freshly cut herbs, lime peel, guava and capsicum present a familiar ‘with a twist’ take on the signature of Awatere Sauvignon blanc. Bold, generous and with some richness developing midway through. Briney acidity is crisp and compelling, leading you directly to a measured, refreshing finish. 91pts
Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2024 A measured dose of the familiar – passionfruit, lemongrass, blackcurrant and crushed herbs, plus some opulence of peach, papaya and pineapple. As Old World as it is New, with a chiselled line of crisp acidity and energy through the palate. Youthful, bright and zesty, the fruit accented with a gentle spice and white pepper. The finish is dry, tangy and has good length. 93pts
