This wine is #28 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008 (well the Reserve is). We don’t get the reserve so I thought I would give it a try. Wine Spectator gave the reserve a 92 at $18US.
The wine is pale in color, classic New Zealand style Sauv on the nose, albeit a bit mild. On the front pallet there are some very slightly sweet pineapple flavors, with the mid pallet dominated by zesty, grassy flavors. Not overpowering, just right. On the finish the wine has a reasonable length to it, slightly on higher side of medium. I paired it with pan fried steak and kidney with Oyster mushrooms and it went VERY well. It cut through the olive oil I used to do the pan fry. My Mom always made liver and kidney and I hated the liver part. So I made my own recipe! Mom never would have bought a mushroom that cost as much as the meat 🙂
All in all a very nice wine. A good solid 90 so I guess the reserve is just that much better. For the price this is a good deal! This has more grace and finesse than some of the Chilean Sauv blancs I’ve blogged about lately and a lovely finish. I will definitely grab a few more of these. Yumm …
Here is what Winecurrent.com had to say about this wine:
The ’07 wines are receiving incredible accolades and this from a region that experiences very good vintages virtually every year. Savoury notes and herbaceous nettle aromas form the pungent nose of the medium-bodied and gorgeously-textured gem. The robust and focused flavours include herbs (dill and lemon grass) pink grapefruit and passion fruit. The finish is clean and refreshing making seared scallops a great pairing. (VH) (129528) $14.25 Rating 4.5/5
From the LCBO web site:
BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 129528 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: New Zealand, New Zealand By: Montana Wines Limited
Tasting Note
Pale straw yellow colour; intense aromas of grass, pear, gooseberry, fresh herbs, with notes of passion fruit; dry, light and clean palate with a zesty, fresh, pink grapefruit, lime; mouth-watering finish.
