Review: Framingham 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Phew. What a busy start to summer! And with summer brings oodles of Sauvignon Blanc. My latest New Zealand bottle was the 2011 Framingham Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.

At first glance, the color was a golden wheat, very clear with a hint of green. The nose offered notes of grapefruit, papaya and passionfruit. A bold nose with clear tropical fruit characteristics, I anticipated this wine to be delightful.

Upon first sip, this wine delivered exactly on the nose profile. Smooth, light and balanced with little to no bite, this was a winner! Not too sweet, with only hints of sweetness on your tongue, this was a great bottle! A short finish, with lingering notes of grass and grapefruit, it exhibits very traditional New Zealand Sauv Blanc notes & is highly recommended..

I pumped this wine and waited to open it again until day four, where is exhibited the same flavors. That wine pump really is amazing!

Notes:
ABV%: 13%
Price: $12-$18
Vintage: 2011
Bottle Notes: At our boutique winery in the Wairau Valley, we craft expressive, individual small batch wines with new world purity and old world complexity. This 2011 Sauvignon Blanc delivers punchy flavours of passionfruit, grapefruit and redcurrant. Texture is enhanced by some barrel ferment and our signature mineral finish is retained.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Common with Sauvignon Blancs, oysters and seafood are recommended, although I think this would go well with a wide variety of foods. If you like this wine, it would pair well with almost anything as long as it isn't too sweet, or too heavy.
Grape Blend: 2011 Framingham Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is blended from fourteen base wines sourced from eight different sites in the Wairau valley including the North bank, Southern valleys, Lower Wairau and our own Estate at Conder’s Bend.
Website: http://www.framingham.co.nz/
Importer: Evanton, Inc.
Current Vintage: They have recently released their 2012, but the 2011 is noted it can be drank for up to 18-24 months after bottling.

Review: Stony Bay 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Stony Bay Sauvignon Blanc drew me in with the serene label. With the black and white, and the beautiful rocks in the water, I somehow decided I'd go for it.

After I first poured the wine, the color exhibited a light green, golden cast. The notes on the nose were more earthy, like a pinot gris, or a viognier, or even a chardonnay; very unexpected.

Upon first sip, there was crisp acid, with very little fruitiness. The sip was a little dull to be honest. After a few sips in, it became more smooth, with a short bite on the finish, with notes of green apple and grass. The wine was a bit heavy, and didn't exhibit notes of tropical flavors like we're traditionally used to with NZ Sauv Blancs.

By day two, the wine was very similar, but it did exhibit more traditional Sauv Blanc qualities, bringing out a bit more tropical fruit and tartness.

Notes:
ABV: 13.0%
Vintage: 2011
Price: $13-$16
Region: East Coast, New Zealand
Website: www.stonybaywines.co.nz
Bottle Notes: Stony Bay wines are made in a fruit forward elegant and refined style which makes them ideal to enjoy on their own or with matching food dishes. The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc displays bright fresh aromas of passionfruit and gooseberry. Crisp and vibrant with a long luscious finish. Suggested food pairings were spicy Asian dishes and seafood.
Importer: Saranty Imports, White PLains, NY
My Food Pairing Suggestions: I had this with a pesto caprese salad, and it paired well. I think this wine would pair well with a variety of lighter, savory food dishes.

New Zealand Wine Day June 8th 2013

Saturday June 8th, 2013
Virtual Tasting 6:00pm Central Standard Time
#nzwineday

Celebrate the New Zealand wine lifestyle with a virtual wine tasting and cooking demonstration.

Register at Eventbrite.

Wine Channel TV's wine expert Jessica Altieri will be joined in Chicago by the ever charming Kiwi Winemaker Clive Dougall of Seresin Estate in Marlborough to host a live audience at Chicago's bellyQ -- Chef Bill Kim's new restaurant created in partnership with Michael Jordan.

Clive and Jess will talk you through a stunning range of new wines from 15 New Zealand wineries, covering 6 wine regions and 7 grape varietals - while Chef Kim prepares dishes with Cervena Natural Tender Venison and Ōra New Zealand King Salmon.

NZ Winemakers and hundreds of wine lovers from around the world will be tuning to watch this fabulous virtual event and we would love to have you join us. You'll be able participate in the conversation through Facebook and Twitter as you sip along with us from the comfort of your living room. Gather up a group of friends, register at Eventbrite, and tune in on June 8 with fellow wine lovers from around the globe for this fun, social way to taste and learn about New Zealand's finest wines!

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