Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc comes from two very different corners of Marlborough, a cooler Awatere Valley block and Te Whare Ra's own certified organic home vineyard in Renwick, and you can taste both sides of that split. Guava, white currant and elderflower lead the way, backed by ripe passionfruit, basil and a touch of lime. The palate is soft and fleshy rather than sharp, with juicy acidity, real texture from time on lees and a long mineral finish. It's a Sauvignon Blanc built for people who find the usual gooseberry-and-grass style a bit one-note.

What the winery says: Te Whare Ra's aim with this, their classic style of Sauvignon Blanc, is to put everything into a wine that restores faith in Marlborough's quality. This 2023 release blends two specially selected vineyards: the cooler upper Awatere Valley (Shamrock) and their own certified organic home block in Renwick. The result draws together the restraint and structure typical of Awatere fruit with the riper, fleshier stone-fruit character of the warmer Wairau-influenced home block, all sitting on the winery's clay loam soils.

Shanteh Wale, Wine Companion, 95 Points (2023)
80/20% Awatere/Wairau Valley fruit; 10% goes into oak for ferment. Blackberry leaf, Thai basil and yellow guava. Blueberry flesh, fennel and chalk. The palate is weighted with ripe passionfruit, nectarine and honeysuckle. This is ripe and rich. It's densely packed and acidity trots in line, enabling a long, slippery finish. A hint of celery salt and raw cashew on the finish with a smattering of lacey skin texture. Lots of value here, for the price tag, and a memorable wine.

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 94 Points (2023)
Pristine and brightly expressed, the fragrant bouquet shows Granny Smith apple, fresh fig, jalapeno and lime peel aromas, leading to a splendidly flavoursome palate offering terrific power and persistency. The textural feel is seductive and enticing, yet it retains exuberance and vibrancy. It is mouth-watering and delicious. At its best: now to 2030.

Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, 94 Points (2023)
Rich, weighty sauvignon with gooseberry, passionfruit, lime zest, and lemon curd flavours. Intense, bright wine with impressive purity and power.

Carolyn Hammond, Toronto Star, 94 Points (2023)
This is a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the seasoned connoisseur who demands subtlety and finesse - as well as the casual drinker looking for pure pleasure. With equal parts dignity and deliciousness, this wine starts with classic scents of basil and bell pepper, grapefruit and Granny Smith. Then, it slides in tasting glossy and cool as crushed stone, grapefruit pith, mango and tarragon emerge, and then move to elderflower, salted lime zest, green olive, goji and tangerine. Each note tastes chiselled and articulate while plunging acidity anchors the fruit. Magnetic.