The popularity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc shows no signs of slowing down. Wine lovers continue to be drawn to its vibrant style, freshness and immediate appeal.
What’s fantastic is that we grow and craft outstanding examples across the country – each region offering its own nuance and character for the world to enjoy. Let’s keep reminding everyone just how great this wine can be.
Cameron Douglas MS explores some of the options in this month’s tasting guide, here are some of his top picks…
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Southern Valleys, Marlborough
Fantastic bouquet and palate with layers of white fleshed orchard fruits and citrus, there’s a sweet ripe lime quality and core mineral quality suggesting river stone and pebble. Complex, taut, dry and fruity led by flavours of grapefruit then apple and peach. The mineral suggestion carries through the palate seamlessly. The frame of acidity and fine fruit tannins along with lees and a touch of fruit spice offer complexity as well as texture. Delicious wine with best drinking from late 2025 through 2029+.
Points: 95
RRP: $26.00
Distributor: Negociants
Phone: (09) 531 5212
www.auntsfield.co.nz
Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Marlborough
Aromas and flavours of complexity and power, a distinctive wine with a combination of texture and depth. Fruit flavours range from apple to cape gooseberry, fresh white peach and minerality, through to fine lees and subtle soil-smoke qualities. A dry wine with medium weight and a satin texture, plenty of acidity and very fine fruit tannins adding an extra layer of mouthfeel. Delicious and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2028+.
Points: 95
RRP: $40.00
Distributor: Hancocks Family Merchants
Phone: (0800) 699 463
www.julestaylor.com
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough
Elegant and enticing fragrances of white-fleshed tropical fruits, juicy citrus, and white peach. A fine layer of lees, a whisper of flinty stones, and angelica leaf add complexity. A delicious wine on the palate, salivating and satin in texture, with a backbone of flavours along with complexity and weight from barrel that reflect the bouquet and wash over the palate. Well made, dry on the finish, and lengthy. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2029.
Points: 95
RRP: $27.00
Distributor: Lawson’s Dry Hill
Phone: (03) 578 7674
www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz
Maude Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Central Otago
A delicious wine – distinctive, precise, and fine. Aromas and flavours of a mineral and citrus fruit-centric expression, lemon and grapefruit, then white flowers, white peach, and crumbled stone. Taut and dry with a backbone of acidity and a quietly spoken dried herb quality. A wine with tension and poise, a laser-beam acid line, and a lengthy finish. Perfectly suited to fresh seafood or as an aperitif. Well made, with best drinking from 2026 through 2030.
Points: 94
RRP: $28.00
Distributor: Maude Wines
Phone: (03) 443 2959
www.maudewines.com
Read all of Cameron’s wine reviews here.
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is the Beverage Director & Group Sommelier for Rodd & Gunn and is the Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Formerly academically in charge of the Wine & Beverage Programme at AUT in Auckland, Douglas has also consulted to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.
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