Highlights: two from 2022 in Marlborough, Cloudy Bay and Yealands
It’s compare and contrast from two Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough – new releases from the 2022 vintage. One priced at £10, one at £25. The Yealands wines have been consistent over-performers at all price points for a few years. Cloudy Bay has failed somewhat to live up to its legacy, but there are signs from this wine that it has its mojo back.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Marlborough, New Zealand
13.5% alcohol
£25 Clos19, Laithwaites, Majestic, Jeroboams, Ocado, Berry Bros & Rudd
New packaging for this vintage, with a shaped label and some embossed glass. Aromatic, and typically modern Marlborough, with passionfruit, tomato leaf greenness and some chalky, spicy notes. In the mouth, there’s good concentration and richness, with tropical richness countered by grapefruit and lime and some well integrated green, finishing taut with keen acidity. Very stylish, this shows good concentration and typicity: seems to have a bit more substance than other recent releases. 92/100
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Marlborough, New Zealand
12.5% alcohol
£10 Asda, Co-op, Majestic, Ocado
Fine aromatics on the nose of passionfruit and green leaves, with chalk and lemon rind, too. The palate is bright with some nice tart lime, some chalky, grainy mineral notes and a lovely balance between the fruity characters and the green pepper and tomato leaf green characters. This shows lovely brightness and typicity, with a touch of fruit sweetness countering the keen acidity. 90/100
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