Four 2001 NZ Sauvignon Blancs

[Bucko]

2001 Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Another excellent SB from this sometimes controversial winery. Pale straw with a green tinge, it has slight gooseberry and citrus aromas. Lean yet rich flavors of gooseberry and lemongrass abound, with plenty of acidity. The first bottle was corked... grrrr.....

2001 Konrad and Conrad Sauvignon Blanc. Not as intense as the other three, but nice enough on its own. Hints of passionfruit meld well with the gooseberry and peach flavors. As with the others, there is ample acidity.

2001 Isabel Estate Sauvignon Blanc. My, my, my, this wine screams mango fruit. Rich, intense, with hints of peach and apricot, with subtle gooseberry for interest. Crisp acidity. Lovely.

2001 Lawsons Dry Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. I never thought I would be case buying screw caps. Hey, if they all tasted like this, I would have nothing but.... Loaded with gooseberry and grassy aromas and flavors, with hints of passionfruit and mango. Nice wine.

I continue to be impressed with NZ SBs. It is certainly a viable alternative when the Sancerre vintages are lacking.

Bucko