Oyster Bay (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2007
I visited Oyster Bay’s brand new facility in Marlborough in 2006, just as the finishing touches were being put to the massive new winery. Every aspect of the high-tech operation was incredibly detailed, as where their vast and immaculately maintained vineyards, helping to explain how this huge operation (by new Zealand standards) manages to turn out big volumes of reliable wines so consistently. This 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect example, cut from text-book cloth, as verdant aromas of nettles and green peppers vie with juicy, tantalisingly ripe tropical fruit. On the palate this is very successfully pitched, with some elegance and raciness and plenty of tangy freshness. The fruit is succulent and ripe without being too obvious and sweet, and it is a wine that keeps you coming back for another sip. The suggested retail price is 7.99, but this wine is often to be found a pound or two cheaper – it’s £5.99 when you buy two in Majestic currently. £7.99, Majestic, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, Tesco, Thresher.