Whitecliff Sacred Hill

[Innkeeper]

2001 Whitecliff Vineyards, Sacred Hill, Sauvignon Blanc, Hawkes Bay ($11.99). Sensational. Faint hint of cat pee with stronger aromas of freshly mown hay and wild flowers on the nose and upfront tastes. The tastes of fully ripe fruit and crisp acidity flow torrentially across the palate, and the finish lingers and lingers. Not exactly your everyday SW! Matched splendidly with day fresh divers' scallops broiled in beer and butter. Am so hoppy that Hawkes Bay does not have the rep of Marlborough. Shush!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 12-21-2002).]

[Innkeeper]

2002 ($10.99 Belfast Coop). Just as great as the '01. Matched with sauteed chicken breasts in hollandaise sauce, and garden salad with "our own" tomatoes!

[quijote]

I happened to pick up a 2002 today in a wine/liquor store here in wine-poor Flagler County in Florida. It cost me $14, but figured I'd give it a try; it was the only NZ SB in the store....

[Innkeeper]

Enjoy!

[quijote]

Popped open that bottle tonight after dinner, and drank some of this NZSB with "dessert"--Laura Chenel goat cheese on crackers. Mmmm, delicious--bot'en of 'em. I even managed to get my parents, who aren't particularly adventurous wine drinkers, to *smell* that SB and savor that aroma. They wouldn't touch the goat cheese, though; all the more for me. I may surprise them tomorrow with goat cheese, salmon, and dill tartlets, just to throw their world into a reverse spin.

The SB is delish--not as pungent as Cloudy Bay, but the passion fruit scent is definitely there, and it drinks very easily.