2004 - A questionable year for NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

For nearly two decades, the wine drinking world has been singing the praises of NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

In fact, this variety accounts for 65% of all New Zealand's exported wine: no surprise, of course, the latest national vineyard statistics show that there is now more than 7,000 hectares planted (compared to just under

4,000ha for Chardonnay and 3,750 for Pinot Noir)

2004 has produced a veritable flood of SB; more than double the volume produced in 2003; but it pains me to say that not all '04 NZ SB could be classed as excellent or even very good.

I have recently returned from a wander through Marlborough and Canterbury, where it is quite apparent that a near perfect growing season has resulted in, what I would call "serious over cropping"

For the past four years, average yields were around 7 1/2 tonnes per hectare (sorry USAns, you will have to do the conversion!) - whereas '04 yields were approaching 12 tph.

Most of the big names have produced wines with the expected aroma intensity and flavour profile, but there are many wines on the market with lesser palate weight, which lack real personality.

I think my favourite mainstream Marlborough wine of this vintage is the Sacred Hill SB, whilst Lawson's Dry Hills; Jackson Estate and Nautilus Estate I also rate highly.

Palliser Estate from Martinborough is still way up there - in both quality and price - a domestic increase of 25% over last year does not impress - I will be interested to learn how it is priced in the USofA.

So, my advice is - avoid disappointment by buying a bottle first and try for yourself - before you buy the case.

Or even better, snap up the last of your preferred 2003.

Reply to
NEWSXTRA
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I suppose that's 1000 kg per 1 hectare? Converts to 2204.6 lbs per 2.47 acre, or 892.2 lbs/acre. So 12 tph would convert to 10.7 tons per acre ? Yikes. Even 6.7 tons per acre is a very healthy yield.

Is my math correct?

Dana

Reply to
Dana H. Myers

"Dana H. Myers" calculated....

Yes, this sounds about right to me.

It is not without good reason that Marlborough winemakers call SB their "cash cow"

It grows like a weed and does not require too much by way of special winemaking techniques to make.

However, cropping at 10 tons to the acre makes it impossible to get a quality, ripe crop.

Many contract growers had their harvests rejected by better winemakers who demanded ripeness and fruit quality.

Unfortunately, the almighty dollar rules, and others were prepared to accept substandard, overcropped fruit, just to "turn a buck"

So, be warned - there are wines out there which are thin and dilute.

Try before you buy.

Reply to
st.helier

Converting metric tons to Avoirdupois tons is not the part most of us Americans have trouble with. It's converting hectares to acres that has us stymied! :^(

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Where's the problem?

1 acre ~ 0.4 hectares (0.40468564224000003 to be exact)

1 hectare ~ 2.50 acres (2.471053814671653 " " " )

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

Yes, I know - but will I remember it as easily as I remember that 2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram? I doubt it. :^(

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Oh, dear. Too much of a good thing, as it were.

Thanks for the tips, St. H. My only '04 to date has been the Kim Crawford, which was stunning IMO -- indeed, far superior to his '03. I'll have to keep my eyes out for those labels. Aside from the Nautilus, which is almost ubiquitous Stateside, those are not commonly encountered labels. As we are about to temporarily relocate close to Big Jean and Sidney, stocking up on white wines is imperative. ;-)

I will let you know when I see it. Local suppliers are still carrying the '03.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

"Mark Lipton" wrote .....

Yes, had just changed isps and hadn't quite set up properly!!!

Agree - but if you find the Sacred Hill Marlborough, imnsho the best of Marlborough this year.

To be fair, Martinborough did get have a difficult vintage, and perhaps they struggled in '04.

And please pass on our very best wishes.

Reply to
st.helier

So, it was _you_ who augured in the Mars Lander a couple of years ago? :^D

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Andrew,

I recall tasting a 2nd tier Palliser (Pembroke ??) which I thought was an excellent softer version of the Palliser. I believed it was going to be substantially less Retail than Palliser.... (around $20AUS per btl as opposed to mid to high 20;s for the Palliser). which I thought would be a great intro for those a tad reluctant to shell out that kind of money on Palliser.

Any info Sir?

Hooroo......

PS: I am still waiting for a certain Kiwi to come good with his lost bets on Rugby & Cricket.... :>)

Reply to
Swooper

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