Seven Rivers Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - £8.29
Price on from Laithwaites.
One sip of Seven Rivers Old Vine Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and you'll see why New Zealand's winemakers are looking nervously at a stunning, cool climate region in Chile's deep south, Bio Bio. This is delicious stuff - astoundingly fresh, with abundant guava, gooseberry and cut grass flavours. Just what you'd expect of the #10-a-bottle, top-notch Sauvignons of Marlborough's boutique estates. Unlike the rest of Chile, Bio Bio (which means 'big big' in the lingo of the local Mapuche tribe) has a large river and waterfall system. Its cooler climate delivers a crisp, mineral freshness akin to France's Loire (home to those great Sauvignons of Sancerre) but also boasts that trademark fruit purity only Chile's endless sunshine makes possible. And old vines deliver an extra intensity thanks to their lower yields. Then there's the vintage. One of Chile's most acclaimed and medal-laden winemakers, Ignacio Recabarren, believes 2007 ''will accomplish the highest scores in the history of Chilean wine''. Certainly we think it's the best vintage of a generation ... and the Emiliana winery is one of Chile's most exciting (it's the leading organic producer in all South America). A genuine steal ... order now! ''Thrilling cut grass and gooseberry aromas, with mouthwatering guava and pure tropical fruit flavours so typical of Chile - plus a tongue-tingling minerality you'd normally associate with top-notch Loire whites. Perfect with seafood and goat's cheese ... and no excuse needed to enjoy a glass or two on its own!''