After a favourably dry summer and autumn, plus lighter than usual crops, Marlborough’s winegrowers predicted the 2024 vintage would yield “intense”, “fantastic” wines. About a third of the winegrowers belong to Appellation Marlborough Wine, established in 2018 to protect the integrity and reputation of the region’s wines. The AMW seal guarantees a wine is exclusively of Marlborough origin (for other wines labelled Marlborough, the legal minimum is 85%), was bottled within New Zealand, and has passed a blind tasting to ensure it reflects the region’s “unique terroir and winemaking excellence”.
I recently received a promotional case from AMW, selected from more than 75 wines. Two – Ahi Ka Blackmore Vineyard 2024 (★★★★★, $24) and Dog Point Vineyard 2024 (★★★★★, $30) – were included in November’s sauvignon blanc feature. Of the remaining wines, these are my favourites.
Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★½
More than half of this regional blend was grown in the Awatere Valley. Full-bodied and vigorous, it has very good intensity of fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, a herbaceous undercurrent, lively acidity and a fully dry finish. (13.5% alc/vol) $27
Auntsfield Nature’s Path Southern Valleys Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★★
This characterful, organically certified wine was estate-grown, tank-fermented and lees-aged. Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it is crisp and dry, with ripe passionfruit/lime flavours showing excellent delicacy, freshness and depth. (13.5% alc/vol) $29
Huia Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★½
Already drinking well, this full-bodied wine is certified organic. Bright, light lemon/green, it has good intensity of ripe peach, passionfruit and lime flavours. Fresh, dry and lively. (13.5% alc/vol) $25
Pretty Paddock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★
Priced sharply, this fresh, vigorous wine was estate-grown in the lower Wairau Valley. Medium- to full-bodied, it has lively, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, crisp and dry, and very good balance and depth. (12.8% alc/vol) $18
Starborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★★
This label consistently delivers great value. Grown in the Awatere Valley, it was tank-fermented and briefly lees-aged. Bursting with varietal character, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant, penetrating, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, finely balanced, crisp and lingering. (13.5% alc/vol) $22
Wine of the week
Rohe Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
★★★★★
Offering top value, this intensely varietal, tank-fermented wine was grown in the region’s “driest, coolest, most windswept sub-region”. Mouthfilling, with vibrant, tropical fruit flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth, it has a slightly salty streak and a sliver of sweetness balanced by mouth-watering acidity. (From Rapaura Springs.) (13.5% alc/vol) $24
