WTN: Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, two vintages

2004 Kim Crawford Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc
screwcap 12.5% alcohol
$17.25 at The Wine Merchant in Raleigh
Pale gold color in the glass with transparency. Grapefruit and lemon on the nose; attractive fragrance. Very acidic on the palate but still crisp and pleasant with a slight grassiness.

2006 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
13% alcohol
Gooseberry and citrus--acidic and refreshing. Touch of lemon-drop candy. Very sharp acid edge--I'm wondering if it will soften a little in 6-12 months? Very bracing to say the least.

JC, thanks for the notes. The Crawford SB is an annual purchase; it goes so well with Thai food in the summer. I thought the '05 was the best of the recent string, but really the vintage variation is usually pretty small.

Your note for the '06 sounds very tempting--I like my SBs to show bracing acidity. I think it comes from all the inexpensive Chiantis that I drank in my younger years.

[Jenise]

Very sharp acid edge--I'm wondering if it will soften a little in 6-12 months?

An SB I buy in British Columbia always comes out like that and we usually don't drink them until about two years after release--always worth the wait, your KC probably will be too though it's kind of counter to the fresh, in your face, youthful zest we usually expect/want from NZ sauv blancs.

I actually find the acidity level on the '06 KC to be mid-range. Obviously our palate expectations and/or experience are different. Do you drink many Sancerres by chance?

Not sure of the definition of "many", Randy, but during the summer, in particular, I drink Sauvignon Blanc several times a month--some from New Zealand and some from Sancerre, and occasionally a California one.

JC,

Thanks for posting your notes on the Crawford SB's. I really can't second your assessment of the '06. It is my favorite Oz SB of all time. The nose is just plane wonderful and the acidity is crisp, refreshing and doesn't overwhelm the grapefruit and boxwood at all in my opinion. I've drank a half case to date and can't find anything of comparable QPR. The '06 Crawford rocks! It's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

JC,

Thanks for posting your notes on the Crawford SB's. I really can't second your assessment of the '06. It is my favorite Oz SB of all time. The nose is just plane wonderful and the acidity is crisp, refreshing and doesn't overwhelm the grapefruit and boxwood at all in my opinion. I've drank a half case to date and can't find anything of comparable QPR. The '06 Crawford rocks! It's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

It's my favorite of the last two or three years. So you must be right.

Sam, you were just given the Kess of Death.

We go through about 20 cases of NZ SB a year between personal use and entertaining. KC has been a favorite, but if you get the chance try St. Clair, Matua Paretai, Dogpoint, Lawson's Dry Hills and Villa Maria Cellar Selection (if you haven't already done so). They are all winners.

The Kims Crawford SB is almost a perennial buy for me as my "go to" white qpr when I need one at home. I'm pleased with the 2004 as it is, quite simply, a nice drinking SB.

Ramon

We go through about 20 cases of NZ SB a year between personal use and entertaining. KC has been a favorite, but if you get the chance try St. Clair, Matua Paretai, Dogpoint, Lawson's Dry Hills and Villa Maria Cellar Selection (if you haven't already done so). They are all winners.

Randy,

I've tasted all of the above except for the St. Clair. I enjoyed all of them. In general, I like the SB from NZ and am rarely disappointed. The '98 Villa Maria was a particular favorite of mine. The '04 Kim Crawford was my favorite all-time NZ SB until the '06 came along. I could just sit and sniff it for hours on end... okay, at least minutes on end before taking a drink.

Oooops, time to resurrect the famous Open Mike NZ SB!!!!

For all you KC SB lovers, there is a new label on the market - at least here in NZ - not sure if it is being exported to North America yet or if ever. It is called Crawford Farm - named for the family farm where Kim grew up. Worth keeping an eye out for because your taste buds will simply sizzle with this wine's exuberant, vivacious, punchy, exciting flavours.
Cheers,
Sue

Bob, I was looking for the Open Mike on New Zealand SB when I posted this but went back about eight or nine pages and didn't find it so started a new thread. I tried a "search" but came up with far too many hits to be practical.

Yeah, sure takes some detective work eh. Anyway, I found it so good researching.

For my taste I really like that agressiveness that the new vintages like 2006 seem to show. So far I think that the '06 is better than the '05. I certainly have loved them both. It looks like we will be getting some Villa Maria Cellar Select 2006 in the next month or so. I have not yet tasted it.

Michael,

I have not tasted the '06 Villa Maria Cellar Select yet. Please post your notes when the shipment comes in.