The Gourmez

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Marlborough, New Zealand

There’s a green tint to this white wine, which is intriguing—no, it doesn’t take much to intrigue me. The nose is strongly herbal, tarragon mixed in with some peach notes. I can taste the peach also, but it’s quickly subsumed by that herbal flavor while sipping. It’s not as licorice-like as tarragon so . . . marjoram? The wine gets dry as it goes down, accompanied by a wash of vanilla.

This white wine is a bit sweeter than is usually my preference for whites, but it is very good, so I can overlook that easily.

4 stars

Other Blogger’s Thoughts

The Wine Witch

Anyone who knows the Wine Witch knows I love my New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Is this sophisticated wine? No.  New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs tend to be parties in a glass and I am always up for a party.  I didn’t quite find the party in this one.  This is not a bad wine, just not the best in this category especially for the price . . . for me this one is on the shrill end of the spectrum. The nose is pretty classic with green pepper and citrus.  It is a bit spritzy on the tongue.  The pineapple and lime flavors are almost too much.  The finish is anise and a little grass.  For me it just did not come together quite right.  However, I know a lot of people who like this wine.

Wine Waves on the 2007 Vintage

You are rewarded when one sniff and one sip reveals the wine is true to form. There is no doubt this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You get the gooseberry, the passion fruit, not to mention green pea and flinty minerality. The flavor on the tongue is shrill enough to thrill, even tending towards mustard seed. The finish is clean and dry, without any noticeable flaws.

The Frugal Oenologist

This New Zealand white is fairly typical of the variety. It comes on with a grassy nose and delivers citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It’s a bit on the thin side, lacks the mineral flintiness which characterizes the better Marlboroughs and has a very short finish. Certainly not bad, but even at the sale price of $11.99 you can do better.

Reviewed 7.15.10.

Posted: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Categories: Discussion, Wine, writing.
Tags: 2008 vintage, herbal, peach, sauvignon blanc, starborough, the frugal oenologist, white wine, wine waves, wine witch.
Subscribe to the comments feed if you like. Both comments and pings are currently closed.