2002 Blind River Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, N.Z.

[wondersofwine]

13% alcohol A glass at Upstream Restaurant in Charlotte.
Medium gold, burnished gold color. Surprised by the depth of color for young wine. Nose of apricot and ripe apple. Glycerol feel coats the palate. That unusual mix of apricot and apple repeats on the flavors. Delivers a long finish. The wine is blended from grapes of several Marlborough vineyards. The label describes as "tropical fruit ripeness". I guess New Zealand S.B. can vary between the exotic fruit flavors or the more austere gooseberry/vegetal aspects. This was more on the lush side and quite a surprise to me. The fruitiness matched well with pecan- crusted Carolina brook trout with lemon-butter, spiced apricot slices on top and sitting on a bed of potato puree and string beans. (Followed up with coffee and a slice of German chocolate cake from the dessert buffet)

[Bucko]

I've not heard of them. We drink a lot of NZ SB and you are dead on about styles. I like both.

[wondersofwine]

Bucko, It appears this may be a specially produced export wine for Billington Importers. First vintage was in 2001 as Blue Duck and then it was renamed Blind River. Growers include the Averys and the Radiches (don't know if you are familiar with either of those names or not). Vineyard plantings date from 1994 and 1998 and are supposedly situated to produce especially ripe grapes. At a Tennessee tasting a group sampled five N.Z. Sauvignon Blanc wines from $10-$20 and this one, the least expensive, was the favorite. I forgot in my original note to say that there was a slight mango component to the flavor also.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 09-28-2004).]

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 09-29-2004).]

[wondersofwine]

Had another glass of Blind River at the same restaurant on this recent trip to Charlotte. Notes are similar. This time had with lobster bisque and halibut with risotto and cippoline onions and bits of asparagus in creamy sauce. $8.00 the glass.