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16 of the best wines from the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023
This year at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters we tasted 143 different wines with, as one might expect, the majority from New Zealand and Chile. But there were also entries from 14 different countries and medals awarded to 12, including Moldova.
Find out about some of the best wines awarded medals below, including tasting notes from our judges.
VULCAIA FUMÉ
Producer: Inama Azienda Agricola
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2021
ABV: 15%
Approx. retail price: £32
This wine is one that appealed from the very first sniff. It has a complex nose, with honeyed grapefruit, passionfruit and a touch of lemon zest, and then underneath there is cedarwood, amber, some clove and nutmeg, and a touch of smoky vanilla. One judge described it as perfumed, which is a perfect description, and not often accurately applied to Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, the oak is evident, but beautifully integrated. The fruit is ripe, but retains a lovely freshness, with a stunning mouthfeel and layers upon layers which unfold elegantly as you hold it. It has amazing complexity, and years ahead of it. This is a wine to rival top white Bordeaux, and was my favourite of the day.
CLOS DU VAL SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Clos du Val
Region: Napa Valley
Country: USA
Vintage: 2022
ABV: 13.8%
Approx. retail price: £45
A gorgeous and complex nose of candied citrus, with lemongrass and peach notes and a hint of vanilla. The wine is dry and fullbodied, with ripe fruit evidencing its warm climate, but retaining a refreshing acidity. The texture is the real joy of this wine. The skilled use of high-quality oak wraps around the luscious fruit, giving it body and weight. This wine is elegant, layered and long, with true finesse, and will improve for at least a further five years. Delicious.
BRANCOTT ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Brancott Estate
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 92%; other 8%
Vintage: 2023
ABV: 12.5%
Approx. retail price: £8
Pungent gooseberry, grass and a hint of tropical passionfruit and guava. On the palate, it is textbook Marlborough, with a stone and salty seaweed character, and well-balanced juicy acidity with plenty of grapefruit and nettle notes. It has good length and an excellent, textured palate – this wine shows surprising complexity at this price point.
KAIORA BAY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Booster Wine Group
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Vintage: 2023
ABV: 12.5%
Approx. retail price: £7
Juicy gooseberry, box, and pronounced grassiness on the nose, with a touch of passionfruit and a hint of chalky minerality. On the palate, it is refreshing, with bright and very well-integrated acid, with kumquat and citrus notes and a touch of the chalkiness detected on the nose. It has good length, a really nice texture, and is balanced and most enjoyable. At this price, an absolute steal.
VILLA MARIA EARTHGARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Villa Maria
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Vintage: 2022
ABV: 12%
Approx. retail price: £13.80
A heady, quite floral nose, with some nettles, sage and, of course, gooseberry notes. Zesty yuzu and tangy grapefruit on the palate, vibrant acidity and yet true elegance, with a textured, chalky minerality. This wine has a long finish and lovely texture – fresh and quite more-ish.
AOTEA BY THE SEIFRIED FAMILY
Producer: Seifried Estate
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Vintage: 2023
ABV: 13%
Approx. retail price: £19
A tropical-leaning style, with lots of passionfruit and melon overlaying a touch of lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry. Some flinty undertones give a pleasing complexity to the nose. The palate is layered and quite saline, with plenty of yuzu and green spices, and tangy acidity, with a apleasing medium weight.
VILLA MARIA SINGLE VINEYARD TAYLOR’S PASS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Villa Maria,
Region: Marlborough,
Country: New Zealand
Vintage: 2022,
ABV: 13%
Approx. retail price: £16
Clean and fresh on the nose, with an elegant restraint. It has floral peach blossom aromas, with youthful notes of apple and pear, and a hint of lemon peel. On the palate, it is dry, with moderate alcohol and a tangy juiciness. With refreshing yet not overpowering acidity, appealing fruit and a slightly pithy finish, this is a very enjoyable wine.
TOKARA SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Tokara
Region: Stellenbosch
Country: South Africa
Vintage: 2023
ABV: 13.5%
Approx. retail price: £17.25
A lovely floral, quite youthful nose with moderately intense, clean, fresh ripe apple notes. Dry on the palate, it has vibrant citrus with warming alcohol, balanced by the tangy acidity and lovely texture. With a long finish, this wine is very enjoyable, and very nicely priced.
STONELEIGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Stoneleigh
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand Vintage: 2023
ABV: 13%
Approx. retail price: £13
A pale, lemon-yellow hue belies a pungent nose of ripe lemons and passionfruit, with a touch of asparagus and grapefruit. On the palate, it is dry, with refreshing acidity, and a crisp, citric bite. The finish is ripe and juicy, with lovely, mouthwatering fruit and moderate length. A very appealing wine.
TE PA SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: te Pa Family Vineyards,
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand,
Vintage: 2023,
ABV: 13.5%
Approx. retail price: £16.99
A very ripe style, with intense, focused and juicy fruit on the nose. The palate is more mineral, dry, with crisp acidity and a pleasing texture. It has a very good balance of all its component parts, and a long finish. A very enjoyable, juicy wine.
QUARTZ FUMÉ
Producer: Chamlija,
Region: Strandja Mountains,
Country: Turkey
Vintage: 2022,
ABV: 14.5%,
Approx. retail price: £22
Rich, ripe lychee fruit on the nose, with perhaps a touch of botrytis. It is finely balanced, complex and long, with good fruit intensity and some power, yet retaining a lovely freshness. The oak is evident, but very well-integrated, adding body but not overpowering fruit. A lovely wine, and a delight to see Turkey producing something of this quality.
L’INQUISITORE
Producer: Decugnano dei Barbi,
Region: Orvieto,
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2021,
ABV: 14%,
Approx. retail price: £24
Dense nose with hazelnuts and brazil nuts, with hints of honey, vanilla and cinnamon. On the palate, it is intense and beautifully fresh, with a full body and soft texture. This is a complex, multi-layered wine with a lovely balance and long finish. A wine for food – pasta alfredo or a seafood risotto.
TOKARA DIRECTOR’S RESERVE WHITE
Producer: Tokara,
Region: Stellenbosch,
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 13.5%
The second gold from this accomplished Stellenbosch producer, this is a classy, layered wine, with a restrained and refined nose with touches of citrus jelly and grass. In the mouth, it is rich, smooth and stylish, showing very good length and excellent integration.
VULKANLAND STEIERMARK DAC SAUVIGNON BLANC RIED NEUSETZBERG
Producer: Krispel
Region: Vulkanland Steiermark DAC
Country: Austria
Vintage: 2021
ABV: 12.5%
Approx. retail price: £20
A complex nose, with a delicate, elegant style, quite restrained, but with ripe lemon, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nut underneath. On the palate, it is dry, crisp and more citrussy, with plenty of layers of white stone fruits and green apples. Lighter weight, it has a pleasing elegance and delicacy.
LÉOUBE COLLECTOR BLANC
Producer: Chateau Léoube,
Region: Provence,
Country: France
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 50%; Rolle 20%; Semillon 15%; Ugni Blanc 15%,
Vintage: 2022,
Approx. retail price: £65
Heady, ripe tropical fruit and lemon confit on the nose, with hints of grapefruit, box and honeysuckle. On the palate, rich and ripe, with a pleasing texture, but less complexity than might be expected at this price. An exceedingly heavy bottle.
DOURTHE NO 1 BORDEAUX BLANC
Producer: Dourthe
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France Vintage: 2022
ABV: 12.5%
Approx. retail price: £9.25
Nose shows clean gooseberry and white stone fruit, with a hint of passionfruit. On the palate, it is quite juicy, dry, with an appealing freshness. Not complex, and for immediate drinking, but excellent value from this ever-reliable producer.
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