Marlborough

with Lauren Eads on a boat heading to Waterfall Bay

Marlborough turned out to be one of my favorite parts of our travels through New Zealand. The diversity of wine styles with good quality available on the ground there was both surprising and inspiring as I was able to find stand out wines of Chardonnay, Pinot, Syrah, Methode Traditionelle, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and, yes, Sauvignon Blanc. What is available from Sauvignon there in Marlborough covers a far more significant range than we have any idea of here in the US market. Our selection here is far more limited.

While there is something very old school country about the central parts of Marlborough in its feel, the region also holds unbelievable beauty. Here’s the Instagram collection from our time on the ground in Marlborough.

Okay, look, this stuff?! New Zealand MIRACLE. I have been traveling this whole time with the after effects of having had bronchitis just before I flew from the States, which means I have been low level achy and very tired this whole time. But one Manuka drop and I swear I feel better. PRAISE THE BEES!!! (Also, we’re now in Blenheim ready to travel Martinborough.) #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 7:56pm PST

Lovely finessed Pinot Noir from Marlborough, the Corofin Settlement Vineyard East Slope 2014 from Giesen family. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @giesenwines

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 10:24am PST

Lovely example of the style the Brancott 2013 Fume Blanc brings a well done balance of delicate oak to the variety. Well wed and nicely balanced, solid expression. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @brancottestate

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 11:43am PST

Methode Marlborough tasting. 9 producers in the region making premium sparkling wine from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in Methode Traditionelle with at least 18 months on lees formed a coalition in 2013 to learn together and help share the story of sparkling wine from the region. We are tasting through wines from each of the producers with breakfast this morning. #methodemarlborough @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @methodemarlborough

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 12:35pm PST

A stand out sparkling wine from the Methode Marlborough tasting – the Huia Blanc de Blanc 2010 a nice sense of rich orchard fruit set on a thin slice of crispy croissant well balanced by vibrant acidity and an ultra long finish. Nice gravitas and persistence with just a waft of baking spice wisping through the palate. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @methodemarlborough @huia_vineyards

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 1:09pm PST

Delicious. Biscuit aromatics carry to a palate showcasing pleasing restraint on still richly complex flavors of pear and warm apple. Nice balance of rich flavor with a still crisp and long finish. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @methodemarlborough @hunterswinesnz

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 1:28pm PST

Surprise pleasure of the trip so far – Impressive tasting on Methode Traditionelle wines from Methode Marlborough. All made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay in blend or individually, aged at least 18 months on lees though most shown here much longer. Wines from left: Daniel Le Brun Rosé NV, Tobu Rewa Reserve Blanc de Noir 2012, Johanneshof Cellars 2008 EMMI Brut, Nautilus Cuvée Brut NV, Hunter’s MiruMiru Reserve 2011, Spy Valley 2011 Echelon, Huia Blanc de Blancs 2010, Allan Scott Cecilia Vintage, No 1 Family Estate Virginia Cuvée. A range of styles here but good quality and pleasure through each of the wines. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @hunterswinesnz @huia_vineyards @nautilusestate @tohuwines @spyvalleywine @johanneshofwine @allanscottwines @no1familyestate @methodemarlborough

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 1:47pm PST

Nice to see the elegance that develops in aged Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. A much broader range of styles showing through a large regional tasting of current and library releases of the variety than what appears in the United States. Here one of the stand-outs: the Catalina Sounds, Sounds of White, 2013 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley, made only in large oak foudre to bring texture with minimal flavor influence, bottled after six months. Nice subtlety with notes of rose leaf, elderflower and pleasing delicate green accents. Delicate and subtle with still persistent palate stimulation through a long finish. Nicely done. Really pleasing example in the 2015 release as well. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @catalinasounds

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 3:02pm PST

Tasting through multiple vintages of the Giesen The Finder Sauvignon Blanc from Matthews Lane in the Wairau Valley of Marlborough I am a fan of the 2013 vintage. Defy use of oak to deliver graceful power, simultaneously honed and assertive with nuance. Subtle flower accents lift the nose subtly and just a hint of guava and gooseberry carries the midpalate with a long drive of sapidity. Sophisticated and well done. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @giesenwines

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 3:22pm PST

Stand out Chardonnay in Marlborough: the Mudhouse 2014 from Hungry Hill Vineyard. Good native density and concentration with fresh acidity. All about subtlety. Satisfying and nicely done. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @mudhousewine

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 7:25pm PST

Oh heck YES. Get your neck on one of these. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @zephyrwine

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 10:08pm PST

Oh thank the lord god I am on a boat. Marlborough Sounds heading to Waterfall Bay. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 26, 2017 at 10:11pm PST

Genuinely incredible wine. The Huia 2000 Methode Traditionelle made from 23% Pinot Meunier, 48% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir. 11 yrs on tirade. The acidity is still fresh and enlivening while the flavors bring together pleasing aged fruits rubbed by amber resin grated over by a mix of citrus zest. Really a pleasure to drink. Here with Huia winemaker Mike Allen. Special wine. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @huia_vineyards

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 27, 2017 at 12:46am PST

Delicious wines from Serasin. Both the sans soufre and Marama Sauvignon Blanca are unique and a pleasing surprise – fresh and textural with a softer attack than typical for the region. They are elegant while friendly. The Pinot Noir is also unique – full of energy and savoriness, with plenty of presence with a more delicate weight. A pleasure. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @serasinwine @manawinegrowers

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 27, 2017 at 11:40am PST

On the site today: the pleasing surprise of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. There is a much wider range available than we tend to expect from the category. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @catalinasounds @giesenwines

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 27, 2017 at 1:20pm PST

I kind of can’t get enough of the Huia wines. Elegant, savory, complexity with grace through the still wines as well. Really delicious. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @huia_vineyards

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 27, 2017 at 1:43pm PST

Delicious, fresh, energizing treats from Fromm. All you all, get on their Syrah – ridiculous. It’s one of those wines you keep sneaking back to in a tasting till you can get a bottle to enjoy at home. Savory, enlivening, full of life, classic cool climate with aromatic pizzazz. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @frommwinery

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 27, 2017 at 4:26pm PST

To read more on beautiful stand out examples of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2017/01/27/the-pleasing-surprise-of-marlborough-sauvignon-blanc/

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