2002 VAVASOUR Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc-Marlborough.NZ

[Attila]

Tasting Note No.12

I first learned about great Sauvignon Blanc at one of our Club Dinners where the 1981 Pavillon Blanc du CHATEAU MARGAUX was presented in October 1999. That experience changed my perception of this grape variety for life. I am aware of the fact that such great wine can not be produced in New Zealand, however, winemaker Glenn Thomas of Vavasour is the closest thing to greatness. After his brilliant 1999 Sauvignon Blanc, this Single Vineyard 2002 is a fantastic follow up!

Colour very bright hay. Complex nose of stone fruits, white peach, melon and apricot. Mighty and powerful palate of stony mineral flavours packed with complex passionfruit. Very young, rich and steely, there is some silky vanilla from the oak. Full bodied and dry with an extremely long finish. A monumental and stand alone wine among Sauvignon Blancs. It has to be one of the best there is. A very serious wine that NEEDS ageing for a couple of years. Will hit it's peak in 2006. All grapes were hand picked from the Vavasour vineyard. The grapes were fermented on french oak. The wine was aged in oak for 9 months. A superb and simply OUTSTANDING white. It cost AU $35 and it will all disappear at that. Marvellous.

2003 VAVASOUR Sauvignon Blanc

Much lighter than the gold label Single Vineyard 2002 above. Still, a very, very good wine in the classic Marlborough mould. More intense and flavourful than the previous 2002 standard release. Excellent and cool mineral fruit. Very dry and long, it's an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc at AU $20, beating most from Marlborough. A serious little drop from the Awatere Valley. Those missing out on the 2002 Single Vineyard Sauvignon, must settle for this.

2001 VAVASOUR Chardonnay

Made from hand picked fruit from the Awatere Valley vineyards. Fermented and aged in French oak (9 months), this is a smooth and buttery, fairly lightweight Chardonnay made to be consumed now or over the next 2 years. Well made and tasty but not outstanding. A fair drink at AU $25.

2002 VAVASOUR Pinot Gris

An other light wine in the range. Made from hand picked grapes, it spent 6 months in French oak. Exotic, floral nose with sweet pears. A sweetish, slightly savoury, light palate of easy going pears, white nectarines. The finish is dry. The time to drink it is now, before it'll loose it's freshness. Apparently it's not easy to find. Cost AU $20 which is a fair price.

2002 VAVASOUR Pinot Noir

Still sold in a Bordeaux bottle. This vintage is quite good. Excellent and rich plummy fruit. Lovely sweetness and appeal, this wine was made for early consumption. Fairly complex but the finish is a little short. Still, it is a lovely rich red for good and early drinking. Now-2005. Cost AU $25.

Tasted:November 2003.

[Guest]

I am aware of the fact that such great wine can not be produced in New Zealand, however, winemaker Glenn Thomas of Vavasour is the closest thing to greatness.

And an Aussie to boot.

[SueNZ]

Tasting Note No.12

I first learned about great Sauvignon Blanc at one of our Club Dinners where the 1981 Pavillon Blanc du CHATEAU MARGAUX was presented in October 1999. That experience changed my perception of this grape variety for life. I am aware of the fact that such great wine can not be produced in New Zealand, however, winemaker Glenn Thomas of Vavasour is the closest thing to greatness. After his brilliant 1999 Sauvignon Blanc, this Single Vineyard 2002 is a fantastic follow up!

Attila,
While New Zealand's sauvignon blanc reputation is not based on wines such as this, I have to say I personally LOVE this wine. If winemakers are going to make oak aged sauvignon blanc, then the Vavasour Single Vineyard 2002 is a great benchmark for how it should be done.
I featured it on my website as a 'Wine of the Week' just recently - ( click here ). I consider this wine to be "Sauvignon Blanc for non-savvie drinkers as well as those who love the variety in all its forms."

I did not taste the 1999, so do not know how it compares. Which do you consider the better?

Cheers,
Sue

[Attila]

Dear Sue,
I've read your thoughts on the 2002 Single Vineyard on your website, you are so lucky to have access to many fantastic NZ wines.
I believe the 1999 standard release is very close in quality to the Single Vineyard and now probably at it's peak. I'm sad to think that I'll never have the chance to drink that wine again. It had such amazing mineral characteristics!
Attila