During our stay here in NZ, we have tried quite a few Sauvignon Blancs (natch) both purchased at the store and at a few wineries. Some have been interesting, some have been overly dilute but few have really merited a lot of serious attention... until tonight's. With pizza:
2011 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) nose: grassy, herbal, mineral, grapefruit palate: deeply fruity, medium weight, vivid acidityBased purely on mouthfeel, I'd say that this wine has twice the dry extract of any SB tasted on this trip. It has a heft and intensity to it that to me speaks of diligent crop management and an attitude toward the grape that does beyond quick cash flow. It should probably be noted that, on my visit here 10 years ago, this producer made one of the two SBs that I chose to bring back to the States. They don't seem to have slipped in quality since then.
Well done! Mark Lipton