A bunch of Sav blancs

Quite by chance we have tasted a number of sauvignon blancs this month and it's been a bit of an eye opener. Despite it's well known critics, this variety continues to be one of the punter's favourites. While most punters still seem to stick to the New Zealand versions Tassie is quietly producing some fantastic examples. Overall the Tassie version is tighter, perkier and far more tasty. If this continues it won't just be sparkling, riesling and pinot for which the Apple Isle is famous ....

spicy vegies and honey!

First up the 2010 Observatory Hill Sauvignon Blanc. It's pale honey appearance is followed by a smell of spicy vegetables on toast. The thought of this sort of aroma may make meat lovers recoil in horror but in fact it is very pleasant.

The wine tastes of lemon vanilla and has a hint of sweetness as it's highlight. The finish is clean and slightly acidic. It is a no nonsense, straight up and down bit of fun.  
The 2010 sav blanc from Nandroya vineyard

The 2010 Nandroya Sauvignon Blanc is quite different. It has a peppery citrus smell that makes you sit up and take notice. We also enjoyed the spicy, acidic and ever so slight sour taste. This wine is for people who like their sav blanc to be tight and edgy. 
The 2009 sauvignon blanc from Elmslie Estate

This was our first experience of the Elmslie sauvignon blanc and while it had a similar smell to the Nandroya the taste was utterly different from all the other sav blancs we tried.

Trying this wine all we could think of was grapefruit, lashings and lashings of grapefruit. If you're not a fan of the 'big boy' of the citrus world you may want to give this one a miss, but if you are prepare to swoon!
The 2008 sauvignon blanc from Nandroya vineyard

We also had the chance to try the 2008 Nandroya sauvignon blanc which was a great opportunity to see what John and Joy's wines are like with a little bit of age on them. 

The nose on this wine was very interesting, it was like honeyed vegetables (mmm honeyed vegetables what a treat for the kiddies! - Ed). But the thing that struck us the most was how quick the wine finished. It was faster than a bloke leaving the room after being asked to help with the housework or being invited to discuss "where our relationship is going".

It's a pleasant wine but it's all over and done with so fast. Not quite sure what to think really.

The 2010 sauvignon blanc from Spring Vale vineyard

We weren't sure whether or not to include this wine since it has sold out but in the end we decided that it would be almost criminal not to include such an excellent example in this round up.

There is everything to like about the 2010 Spring Vale Sauvignon Blanc. It's intense and punchy with a heap of clean citrus flavour.

It's exactly what we're talking about when we say that Tassie will be the go to place for sauvignon blancs in the future. 

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