Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Marlborough has built its reputation on the shoulders of wines like these, and it stakes its success to them now. Interestingly, the region is able to produce high-quality wines at high yields (15 tonnes per hectare, as an example), which certainly explains how the regional volume of wine is achieved. Gladly, as a consumer, high yields don't seem to mean low quality in this case, meaning there's lots of it, and it's good. On the nose, this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Reserve leads with overt thiols—passionfruit, green bean, sweet pea florals, green apples and coriander. The fruit is from Dillon's Point (in the lower Wairau), and it essentially expounds a quintessential Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and does what it says it will do—you've gotta love that. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

A core of white peach and citrus with a creamy, peanut butter brittle texture and a linear, mineral acidity.