Anyone who knows me knows I struggle with NZ and more specifically, Malborough, Sauvignon Blanc. Actually, I struggle with all Sauv that isn't French but that's not the point. Lately I have felt like I've given the ol' Malborough Savvy a bad wrap so I thought I would go out and explore some different ones to see whether any really stood out to me as something I could drink without turning my nose up at it. 

So below, after trying many and many Malborough Sauvs, here is my Top 5 under $25. Hope it helps guide you to finding a new fav!

Kono Sauvignon Blanc $20
98 point Decanter Wine Award winner!  A brilliant pale green in the glass, this pure and bright Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a vibrant fruit driven nose bursting with citrus fruits and passionfruit. On the palate luscious fruit flavours of ripe tropical fruits and lifted herbaceous notes are finely balanced with zesty acidity, an underlying minerality, and just a hint of residual sweetness. Juicy, crisp and fresh this wine leads to a long and dry, persistent finish. Excellent example. 

Tohu Single Vineyard Sauvingnon Blanc $25

This punchy, sweet-fruited, intensely varietal wine is full-bodied, with fresh melon and green-capsicum flavours, showing excellent delicacy, purity and generosity. Excellent Value for Money and a true expression of Single Vineyard Malborough Sauvignon Blanc. 
Sydney International Wine Competition Top 100 Sauvignon Blancs Winner 2019

Man O' War Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Waiheke Island - $23

Typical of Waiheke Sauvignon blanc, this Estate Savvy is perfect with a year or two of age allowing the wine to mellow and showcase the structure and longevity. The wine is conveys the volcanic influence through its minerality and elevated acidity which is well balanced with texture from the barrel influence and ripe fruit tannins extracted from the skins in the cloudy ferments. vSILVER MEDAL – Decanter World Wine Awards

Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke's Bay - $22

Refreshingly fine and floral, with an elegance and tropical lift that is pure Hawke’s Bay, Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ’17 is a wine of immense appeal. Palest lemon in the glass, it shimmers with fresh lime, grapefruit, passionfruit and vanilla. Full notes of white nectarine, gooseberry and fennel on the palate are balanced by a juicy acidity and a dry, crisp finish that are the signature of this stylish wine. Sippable, sumptuous sauvignon blanc. Very easy to drink. 

Vidal Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - $20

This good-value wine was grown principally in the Waihopai Valley, tank-fermented and aged on its yeast lees. Mouthfilling with generous, ripe tropical flavours and a dry finish. 

Have you tried any of these? If so, let me know in the comments below!

Kono - Sauvignon Blanc

A brilliant pale green in the glass, this pure and bright Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a vibrant fruit driven nose bursting with citrus fruits and passionfruit. On the palate luscious fruit flavours of ripe tropical fruits and lifted herbaceous notes are finely balanced with zesty acidity, an underlying minerality, and just a hint of residual sweetness. Juicy, crisp and fresh this wine leads to a long and dry, persistent finish.

I'll try a bottle

Tohu Single Vineyard Sauvingnon Blanc

Sourced entirely from vineyards located in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, this wine is a bright luminous pale golden green in the glass. On the nose tropical fruit, currant-leaf and herbal notes lead to a concentrated palate of ripe pineapple, pink grapefruit, and citrus zest; creating a vibrant wine with freshness and length.

I'll try a bottle