It was ‘Sauvignon Blanc Day’ on 7th May and I was determined to be in Marlborough for the day and to explore a few different examples of our best known wine style. At Spy Valley, with the boss Amanda and winemaker Wendy, I discovered this naturally-made lower alcohol wine, from the Wairau Valley.
In a classic style, a brilliant pale lemon yellow, with vibrant aromas of grapefruit, golden apple, lime zest, green herbals – sorrel and chamomile. There’s a crisp freshness, bright energy and a delicate, not too sharp, acid tension. The palate broadens a little, with sweet fruit flavours of passionfruit, nashi pear, green melon and blackcurrant. Dry, saline, mineral tang, a bit of weight from some malolactic fermentation. The finish isn’t long, but it’s well-rounded. 90pts. A not-too-serious and well-crafted example of lower alcohol (9.5%).
