Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2008

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 85 Dilettante 85

Description: Light in the mouth and on the nose with nuances of pear, apple, mineral, lime and grapefruit.

Price: $9

Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 82, Dilettante 82

Description: Dark cherries, plums and a hint of mulberry is found on the nose and palate. In the mouth there is an off-putting bitter fizziness that overpowers the fruit. The very dry finish has notes of wood, canned peaches and bitter fruit. It was drinkable though not one of my favorites. Perhaps its vibrant youth can be tempered with a little cellaring.

Price: $17

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 86, Dilettante 87, Nwjr 88

Description: Refreshing aromas of apricot, green apple and cut grass are light on the nose. Flavors of herbs, honeydew and pineapple are wrapped around a citrus core. This light wine is lively in the mouth; finishing clean and fruity.

Price: $15

Starborough on the web

Babich Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.%
• Rating: Black; 86 Dilettante; 86

Description: Spicy cherry wood on the nose. This bright, New World style wine is more robust than many a pinot. Rich favors of chocolate, strawberry, and raspberry are almost chewy. The finish has lingering flavors of spicy strawberries.
Food Pairing: We have no idea. It wasn't good with crab cakes. This may be better as a sipping wine.

Babich on the web

Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black; 88 Dilettante; 88

Description: Aromas of tropical fruits, green apple and cut grass abound on the nose. On the palate it's zippy and refreshing. Flavors of tropical fruits and herbs are accented by a bright acidity and supported by notes of crushed rocks. The finish is clean and dry. As the wine warms, bitter notes show up. Avoid this unfortunate occurrence by keeping it chilled.

Food Pairing: oysters, clams, salads
Musical Pairing: George Gershwin

Babich Wines on the Web

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauv. Blanc
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Rating: Black; 86... Dilettante; 86

Description: The fruit for this wine is harvested from across the region. It has a very light nose of grapes and straw. On the palate it's lively and crisp with flavors of gooseberry, mango and a touch of passionfruit. It's not too sweet and not too tart. Nice.

Food Pairing: Langostinos with leeks, sole, green salads
TV Pairing: Bullshit
Musical Pairing: Andreas Vollenweider

Brancott on the Web

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black; 85 Dilettante; 86

Description: Aromatic combination of florals, cherries, oak and red currants is on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, red currant and chrysanthemum are wrapped around a dominating core of fresh split oak. The persistent finish is very oaky with a spattering of burning autumn leaves. On the very end there's a light acidic lift. Decanting not required although a bit of breathing in the glass smooths it out. This wine is an oak lovers paradise.
Food Pairing: nice with a peppery crab cake, salmon, pork chops
TV Pairing: Lewis Black
Musical Pairing: Roxy Music

Kim Crawford Wines on the web

Sacred Hill Whitecliff Sauvignon Blanc 2006

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Rating: Black; 89 Dilettante; 88 The Z; 90

Description: Ok, some aficionados call that "herbal, grassy, wet hay" nose cat piss. Oh my, the power of a word. The experts, as described in The New York Times, consider this aroma a very good thing. All joking aside, we really liked this wine. It's crisp and fruity with giggly flavors of pineapple, apricot and grapefruit. The light acidity is balanced nicely with a hint of sweetness.
Food Pairing: Sole Florentine
Musical Pairing: Yellow or Gentle Giant

Sacred Hill on the web

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2005

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black: 88 Dilettante:89

Description: This one has a screw top but don't let that put you off -- no jug wine here. This straw colored beauty has a nose of herbs and flowers. With a bit of glycerin, it's full and round in mouth. Flavors of cut grass, grapefruit, and a bit of peach are enhanced by light acidity. We both liked this one. For under $15 it was a great find.
Food Pairing: Seafood, Crab brings out a hint of ginger.
TV Pairing: Deal or No Deal

The Crossings