The 2011 90+ Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Lot 2 is 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from the Johnson Estate vineyards and contract growers located in Marlborough, New Zealand. 90+ Cellars does not produce their own wine, what they do is to go to wineries that have wines that have received at least 90 points from one of the leading wine magazines and they offer to buy up a certain proportion of the production (2,850 cases in this instance). After the winery bottles and labels their wine, they reload the labeler with the 90+ label and run off a production of the 90+ Cellars wine. Same wine, same bottle, but different label, and sometimes they cork the 90+ bottles with a generic cork and sometimes the original producers cork is still in the bottle. If you like Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, you will like 90+ Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Lot 2. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a pale wheat yellow with a slight green tint. The nose is extremely full and vibrant, melon, tropical fruit, magnolia and pineapple almost jump out of the glass. A very smooth Sauvignon Blanc (with a nice acidic edge), it starts with a mixture of pear and melon, followed by slightly sweetened pineapple, lime and tangerine juice. The mid palate brings a dusty minerality, juicy peach and a slap of acidity. The finish is a mellow mix of peach and citrus and lingers on and on.
The 90+ Cellars Sauvignon is a bargain (you should find it for a few dollars under ten bucks) while Spy Valley should sell for closer to $15. This is a full flavored, young Sauvignon Blanc, what is pleasing about this wine sticks out like a sore thumb. A food friendly wine, the 90+ has enough bold flavor and acidity to pair with a wide variety of dishes, spicy Asian, fish tacos and this is a white that can hold up to a burger.
