Chile, Central Valley, Sun Rise, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008

Name: Sunrise

Country: Chile

Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage: 2008

Colour: clear crispy lemon colour…..

Smell: A real clean fresh scent, which is light and airy. You get an instant hit of citrus flavours – lemon and grapefruit were my first thoughts. This developed into aromas of nettles, pineapple and gooseberries. But there is another level to this and I could pick up hints of black pepper.

Taste: Very dry and quite acidic. The flavour was more on the light side and was very much a citrus taste. Lemons and grapefruit were very pronounced and then hints of gooseberries.

Conclusion: A good wine.

WINEDEX: 6 out of 10.

Final Comments: Unless you really really enjoy the citrus sharp flavours then I think you are on to a winner with this one. It had all the classic signs of a young Sauvignon Blanc. What you smelt is what you tasted however, I didn’t taste any pepperiness which I picked up on when I was smelling it. I would highly recommend that you drunk this ice cold as I felt that has the bottle warmed up the flavour became a bit denser and the citrus flavour was not so entertaining anymore.

Jordan - Grands Vin de Jordan - Machareus Region, Madaba, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc 2003

Name: Grandes vins de Jordanie
Country: Jordan – Machareus region, Zumot Vineyard of Madaba
Notes: A jordan wine which is situated on one of the best lands in this area.
Grape(s): Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2003
Colour: Light golden lemon colour
Smell: A light earthy aroma which is a strong indication of the chardonnay grape in this blend. The scent is not very pronounced. You do really have to sniff this drink to pull in the aromas. I was expecting more heavier aromas given that it was 5 years old
Taste: An off dry mild grapefruit flavour, light in intensity – The length of the drink was also quite short. A nice taste which was quite distinct from its aromas.
Conclusion: This was a acceptable wine.
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10
Final comments: This was my first Jordanian wine I had ever tried. My initial thoughts were that this was going to taste vile. Jordan is not exactly famed for wine. However, I have to say that I was quietly impressed. Given that it was already 5 years old I was expecting stronger more intense flavours but not at all it had a short length and really tasted like it was only a few years old…if that. It held all the characteristics of a chardonnay and a sauvignon blanc. It was unpleasant at all and really held its own. I would buy this again and I would serve this up to folk at a dinner party because of its blend it would smell and taste great for both Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc drinkers. I saw on the Zumot website that they have a red which is a blend of pinot noir and Cabernet sauvignon so I look forward to drinking that one.

New Zealand - Cape Campbell - Sauvignon Blanc - 2007

Name: Cape Campbell
Country: New Zealand
Notes: New Zealand wine really is one of my favourite's when it comes to new world wines. There is just something fresh and invigorating about a new zealand wine. I have never been disappointed with one. I find most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs do have similiar citrus flavours that sometimes make the wine sooo good I can't help but drink it quickly. Its just so good. They all hold that citrus backbone with a few twists of their own distinct flavouring. Its always nice to open a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and wait to see what the citrusy flavour is shared with. The other great thing about a New Zealand Sauvignon blanc as I always find a a wine that is an easy introduction into drinking white wine. Very few people do not like the flavour - and so those that aren't sure about what to drink - this is always a good starting point.
So - what have we here? This particular Savvy I had never bought before however, I did start with certain expectations and intended on see them and looking to surpass them. It promise of citrusy, "spark up your taste buds" wine was kept. And I wasn't disappointed. That whole New Zealand flavour came through and with its own unique characteristics as well.
Vintage: 2007
Grape(s) Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: It had a lovely light lemon/golden colour - Very pretty indeed.
Smell: It was very fragrant but it was light and fruity. What I was expecting. You could instantly tell you were going to have citrus flavours of grape fruit, gooseberry...etc.
Taste: Yummy. my expectations were met. Grapefruit flavour was very distinct followed by a gooseberry hint. The citrus flavours were just fantastic. It was definately on the dry side of wine with quite high acidity level as well because the flavours of grapefruit/gooseberries and hints of green applies were quite sharp. But all that was expected from this wine. It had a light taste initally which did pack a wee punch but also sat on the margins of having a medium body. Overall its length was short...its didn't last long in the mouth.

Conclusion: This was a good wine. It did everything you would expect from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It was citrusy, you wanted to drink more of it and it had a warmth to it which made it feel comfortable and "feel at home". We had a roast chicken with this meal and had squeezed some lemon over the chicken as well as put the lemon wedges and garlic into the chicken cavity. The wine compliemented this dish very well.
Windex: 7 out of 10

Final comments: My favourite New Zealand Wine is Montana Marlborough and this has remained top of the pile for about 5 years. I enjoyed this Cape Campbell sauvignon blanc but it still not as great as my montana marlborough.