Decanter Magazine selects Yealands Estate as best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Prestigious UK publication Decanter Magazine has recognised Yealands Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011 as “Outstanding” in a review of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Of the 91 wines tasted, Yealands Estate Reserve was the only wine to receive the top accolade, with an impressive score of 95 out of 100.

The article praises the overall quality of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with the Yealands Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc coming out on top. The wines were tasted and rated by three experts: Melanie Brown, Roger Jones and Peter McCombie MW.  Peter McCombie MW commented ‘my highest scores were all Marlborough in origin, and half of those were from the cooler Awatere sub-zone.  The Awatere style is more tomato stalk, rather than overtly tropical wines from the much more planted Wairau Valley, and the best have a degree of restraint that appeals to me.’

The Yealands Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is a single block parcel coming from Yealands Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley.  The fruit for this parcel was grown on the gentle north facing coastal terrace and has a unique microclimate. 

Chief Winemaker Tamra Washington says the combination of the unique profile of Seaview vineyard and winemaking influence work together to create this exceptional Sauvignon Blanc. 

“It’s fantastic to see our Reserve Sauvignon Blanc recognised by the panel. Although the wine has been made with the influence of Barrel fermentation and ageing, the intention has been to remain true to our style of Sauvignon Blanc from the Seaview vineyard, with added texture and complexity from the oak.”
Yealands Estate Awatere Valley Seaview vineyard has produced an array of award winning wines in recent years.  Most notably, the site is home to the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc with Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 having collected the International Sauvignon Blanc trophy at the 2012 International Wine Challenge. The winery has also produced award winning Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Grüner Veltliner in the past 12 months. 

Yealands Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is available to purchase from cellardoor.yealandsestate.co.nz. The 2012 will be released for sale in July.