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Powerful and opulent with a flinty backbone to balance the concentrated stone fruit and barrel fermentation complexities.

TE KAIRANGA John Martin Chardonnay, Martinborough/Wairarapa

Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.

The Josef Chromy Sauvignon Blanc provides aromas of ripe lychee and sweet gooseberry with fresh herbaceous notes. The palate is soft and full with flavours of lychee, elderflower and lemongrass.

MISHA'S VINEYARD The Starlet Sauvignon Blanc, Central Otago Mishas Vineyard is located on a spectacular site in New Zealand on the edge of Lake Dunstan in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. The sun-drenched, north-west facing terraces of the 57 hectare estate provide optimal conditions for producing world-class Pinot Gris. A no compromise philosophy requires exacting viticulture regimes, hand-picking, and considerate winemaking methodologies. The fruit for this wine is hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. The free run and early press portion (70%) is handled anaerobically settled, racked, inoculated and then cool fermented in stainless steel without air contact. The remaining juice portion is handled more oxidatively and spends time in older French oak barrels where it goes through a spontaneous ferment. Blending the two components contributes complexity to both the flavour and texture of the finished wine, which typically shows exotically fragrant aromas of elderflower, lime and passionfruit and a rounded palate with tropical fruits and pineapple notes balanced by fresh citrus acidity.

Shaw & Smith is a benchmark Sauvignon Blanc. This release shows ripe tropical characters with restrained grassy notes and crisp dry acidity. Delightfully fresh lively and flavoursome. Always a classic and always quick to disappear off the shelves.

Geoff Weaver Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills is quite possible the region's best example of this aromatic variety. The bouquet shows lifted varietal characters of green pea and passionfruit and the palate is textured and long.