I’ve now tasted a little over 200 different samples of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2009 vintage. It’s fair to say the vintage has been kind – I’d give it a score of eight points out of a possible ten, that’s a jump on the 2008 vintage which scored four points but not as high as 2007 which earned nine points.

Here’s my list (prices in NZ$):

1. Astrolabe 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $19.95
2. Vavasour 2009 Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc,, Marlborough $21
3. Blind River 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $25
4. Palliser 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough $19.95
5. Mud House 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $20.90
6. Saint Clair 2009 Pioneer Block 2 Swamp Block Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $24.95
7. Babich 2009 Individual Vineyards Cowslip Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $25
8. Villa Maria 2009 Wairau Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $25.99
9. Greywacke 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $26
10. Saint Clair 2009 Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $32.95