Meyer lemon, lime and apricot flavors show terrific intensity and a juicy thread, with accents of lemon verbena and green tea on the finish. Drink now. 40,000 cases made, 1,764 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Marlborough Select to Add

The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc presents intense aromas of under-ripe pineapple, green mango, pink grapefruit and a pleasant herbal edge. Medium bodied, crisp and vibrantly fruited, it gives good citrusy flavor concentration in the mouth and a long finish. Drink it now through 2013. Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa, CA.

The 2009 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp, grassy nose with touches of lime, kiwi fruit and a touch of grass cuttings. The palate is well balanced with a thread of citric acidity that leads to a tangy lime-tinged finish. Drink now. Tony Bish continues to produce some outstanding examples of Hawkes Bay wine and their Helmsman stood shoulder to shoulder with an array of top Bordeaux 2005s at a blind tasting in 2009. Their entry-level Gunn Estate wine form a superb introduction to the delights of the region’s wines, in particular their Skeetfield Chardonnay.Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa, CA; www.diageo.com

The 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which has a pungent herbaceous nose with moderate definition, hints of tropical fruit (passion fruit and star fruit) on the palate with a nice viscous, capsicum-tinged finish. A decent if unexceptional wine for drinking short-term. Sacred Hill was founded in Hawkes Bay in the mid-80’s by David and Mark Mason, with David taking the lead role as managing director with winemaker Tony Bish (ex Corban’s and Rippon amongst others) returning to the fold in 1994. They produce four ranges of wine aimed at different price points, though I concentrated on their premium releases under the “Special Selection” banner plus a choice of Reserve wines. Some of their wines I felt were a little overdone, but the top wines deserve their plaudits.Importer: Diageo, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 299-2600