Yealands Estate, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, 2011

The concentrated grassy, tomato-leaf and mineral flavours of Awatere Valley are occasionally heroic wines which give a nod to Sancerre. At Peter Yealands’ 1,000-hectare vineyard and hi-tech winery, winemaker Tamra Washington retains integrity while enhancing texture and flavour with judicious fermentation and maturation in oak barrels. Melanie Brown <br /> Upfront and well balanced. Ripe, tropical fruit, such as pineapples, with a silky texture and a subtle oak integration. A fresh acidity and a flinty nuance make this wine complex and elegant. Roger Jones <br /> A lovely, creamy, white-peach nose, complex and multilayered. It has a great balance of acidity. Delicate tropical fruits quietly coming through. Overall a lovely, fine wine with great oak integration. Peter McCombie <br /> Subtle and gently toasted, intertwined with fresh grass and ripe gooseberry. The palate is taut, but well balanced. There is a good concentration with finesse and bite. Perfect to match with food.