WTN: 2010 Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, N.Z.

Some USA wineshops carry this wine for less than $10 a bottle. I had a glass at Second Empire Restaurant in Raleigh (dining in the sunny atrium on the lower level of the historic home.) Pale straw color with transparency. Grapefruit, lemon and possibly pear on the nose. Crisply acidic--almost biting, but refreshing, especially on a warm day. I see that CellarTracker postings average out to only 82 or 83 points but I would give it at least 85. I may see if my grocery store carries it for a summer tasting at church.

I have been selling this wine here in Oregon for the last couple of years. It is retail $10. A few years ago Bill Foley bought the New Zealand Wine Trust which included Clifford Bay, Dashwood, Vavasour, and Goldwater, plus a few that don't make it here to the US. I certainly like it better than any of the other $10 Sauvignon Blancs I have tasted. I will be curious to see what 2011 is like. They also have a Pinot Noir for about $14 that is well worth trying.

I have been selling this wine here in Oregon for the last couple of years. It is retail $10. A few years ago Bill Foley bought the New Zealand Wine Trust which included Clifford Bay, Dashwood, Vavasour, and Goldwater, plus a few that don't make it here to the US. I certainly like it better than any of the other $10 Sauvignon Blancs I have tasted. I will be curious to see what 2011 is like. They also have a Pinot Noir for about $14 that is well worth trying.

Michael,
In my 3 months in New Zealand earlier this year, I got to taste through quite a few new release Sauvignon Blancs. Very generally, I found the '11s more appealing than the '10s with more vibrant fruit and fresher acidity. Of course, certain producers underperformed in '11 and other overperformed in '10, and I'm focusing mostly on Marlborough vineyards in the Wairau Valley.

Mark Lipton

My general rule for Marlborough Sauv Blanc is the fresher the better. There are certainly exceptions. For instance, I still like Clifford Bay 2009 better than 2010. I would also rate this more like 87-88.

Thanks for the added info.