Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)
Our review: A pale greenish-gold in color, this wine has aromas of gooseberry and lemongrass with very pleasing notes of tropical fruit. A hint of sweetness can be tasted initially on the palate, but it is followed almost immediately by a nicely balanced citrus tartness that also has considerable herbal character. The finish adds some minerality, but is otherwise not remarkable.
Our rating: This is a very nice example of this varietal from New Zealand. We typically enjoy our Sauvignon Blancs with seafood, but instead chose to serve this wine with a vegetarian meal. Seafood is probably the best pairing, but it seems versatile enough to go well with most dishes. And though it has absolutely no bearing on what's instead, we very much liked the striking label on the dark bottle. Overall, we rate this wine Above Average.
Taste profile from the winemaker: A lifted nose showing aromas of gooseberry, passionfruit, kiwi and underlying herbal notes. A light-bodied dry, crisp wine with typical Marlborough flavors of gooseberry, stone fruit and nettles with a mouthwatering acidity, leading to a long lingering finish. An ideal wine with fresh seafood or white meat. (From the distributor's website.)
Winery website: None found.