Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Marlborough

August 15, 2011

I was sent a bottle of Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2010 for review, compliments of the Winery. I waited a couple of weeks to open it, as I am always worried about bottle shock from shipping.  Planned a dinner specifically to pair with the wine. Home made Cesar salad and a roasted Cornish Game hen. Simple, light food, to go with the wine.

On opening, the wine had the very distinct aroma of canned white asparagus, the kind my Mom used to serve cold during the summers when I was a kid. There was a little citrus as well, and some typical NZ Sauv Blanc gooseberry, but that asparagus thing never went away and stayed the prevalent aroma throughout.

The palate had the dang asparagus too! Some zesty citrus tones, but the primary flavors were white peach and canned white asparagus.  The acid level was mild, and the wine grew flabby after 20 minutes open. It couldn't stand up to even just the game hen, which was simply done with salt, pepper, a squeeze of lemon and roasted on top of fresh thyme and a garlic clove.

I don't know the price point, but do hope that it is $10 or less.  The wine is un-offensive, but not really much more than a porch sipper during warm weather...as long as you like canned white asparagus.

Cheers,
Rob Moshein
Austin Wine Guy