Southern Lighthouse Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2011

16.5 / 20 Raymond Chan (NZ wine critic) 3 stars

Fruit from the clay-based Anchorage vineyard in the Moutere district, vines four years old. Very pale straw colour with green hues, this has a softly fresh nose of English gooseberries and garden herbs, with youthful fermentation esters showing. Crisp, dry and lively on palate, this has restrained herb, capsicum and sweetly ripe gooseberry fruit flavours with notes of passionfruit. Medium weighted, there is a soft and up-front approachability, but sufficiently zesty acidity to provide an attractive lift and brightness as well as some length to the finish.

In purchasing wines we consult with Peter Saunders Long time wine critic and author of 25 editions of A Guide to New Zealand Wine. He had this to say "Another early one, full of the joys of pre-spring! Plenty of flavour, a nice Sauvignon tang already and very enjoyable over lunch or a sunny afternoon".

Alcohol Vol 12.5%