I don't recall having tasted a sparkling wine made from Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc grapes before, so it was with particular interest that I sampled this number.
A fresh, lively nose that strikes me as pretty but perhaps less explosive than many still wines made from the same grape. What's interesting about the palate is that it shows very evident Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc character in the context of a highly atypical wine style. There's the trademark grassy, passionfruity, capsicummy flavour profile, surrounded at entry and after palate by lively fizz. It's an odd, unexpected combination that nevertheless shows great freshness and is certainly fun.
Whether it's a style I prefer over the still version remains questionable. The winemaking does blunt the typical flavour profile a bit, which may please some people but, for me, may not satisfy the craving for utter vulgarity that usually strikes before I reach for a Marlborough Savvy. I think this would be a great wine to serve as an aperitif if you're looking for a variation on the usual sparkling theme.
Mount Riley
Price: $A25
Closure: Cork
Date tasted: March 2008
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