In article >,
says...
>
>"Hunt" wrote (re Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc) ..........
>
>> It has exhibited great NZ SB character
>> and offered inexpensive pleasures.
>
>> Maybe St H can shed light on the 04, and offer some details
>> of the harvest and Crawford's handling of it.
>
>I have previously posted on the sheer size of the 04 vintage (in particular
>respect to the Marlborough region) it was/is nearly double the previous
>year.
>
>But (and there is always a but!) I do not equate size with quality - I fear
>that many wineries (particularly those with larger export markets) have
>churned out one hell of a lot of wine (by NZ standards, of course) of good,
>but not excellent quality.
>
>I myself *am not* a huge Kim Crawford fan - it has wide availability in
>every supermarket chain around, is frequently discounted - and to me, is
>exactly what the British market demands, a quite aggressive, one dimensional
>style of Marlborough SB.
>
>I have tried the 04 on about 1/2 dozen occasions, and remain underwhelmed.
>
>Firstly, I understand that although there are something like 150 separate
>Marlborough Sauvignons made, many are made in very small quantities, and to
>you USAns, I am sorry, the UK market remains far more important to NZ
>winemakers than yours (your "difficult" distribution system is an impediment
>to the marketing of "boutique" wines) - so, while there are quite a few
>better examples of NZ Sauvignon which I have tried, I can only guess which
>ones may be available.
>
>Getting back on to the subject of Kim Crawford SB - imnsho, it would not
>make my top 20.
>
>Top 2004 Marlborough wine (to me) is Sacred Hill Marlborough SB, followed by
>Nautilus, Mud Brick (I know this is available in Australia) Jackson Estate,
>several of the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Reserve wines (Wairau & Clifford)
>and Cloudy Bay (available under Stelvin, I note!)
>
>I rate the 2004 Palliser Estate (Martinborough) something like 18/20 (not
>quite up to the astounding 2003).
>
>A word about Cloudy Bay, and the Villa Maria Reserve wines - they are more
>expensive, but I do believe that these wineries "do more".
>
>Both have a little oak maturation, to soften that acidic assault; some have
>a little Semillon blended; both pick at various times, to ensure some very
>ripe fruit introduces some real tropical flavours, while underpinning with
>typical kiwi sauvignon "herbaceousness"
>
>There ends the gospel according to His Lordship.
>
>I agree with (the privately communicated comments of my friend, the learned
>Lipton) - upon my recommendation, he tried the Nautilus, and compared same
>with the Crawford.
>
>The Crawford was OTT (his comment) and harsh (mine) - while the Nautilus
>showed more complexity (his words) and structure and dimension (mine)
>
>Sauvignon (no matter where from) would not be my choice of winter wine, but,
>I urge you, to look outside the obvious - you may well be surprised)
>
>--
>
>st.helier

I knew that you would come through on this one and THANK you. Over the years
(more casual tasting than is required to actually rate the NZ SBs) I've found
the Nautilus to be a wonderful wine, often on par, or even slightly above the
CB. Unfortunately, the highly rated Palliser doesn't seem to be found in the
Sonoran Desert. I have some of the '03 Nautilus, AWS the CB, but will try and
find the '04 to taste alongside the aforementioned '04 Crawford.

I, like Ed Rasimus, do not find "cat pee" to be a pleasent taste component,
however, I've never encountered it in the NZ SB's that I've had the pleasure
to try. The "damp hay, bracing citrus, and other light herb" notes are all
there, but I've never found cat pee. Maybe like some, who write that they seem
non-sensitive to TCA, I just have a tolerance for it. Having had cats for many
years, I have never taken the opportunity to "taste" it, but have cleaned MANY
a litter box, and think I know what it smells like. I think that using it as a
descriptor in the flavo(u)r profile is a subversive plot by those who love NZ
SB's to keep the supply UP :-) Regardless, I'll do a horizontal of the '04s
and see what shakes out - hopefully NOT the litter box!

Thanks,
Hunt