The 2008 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc gives intense notes of ripe grapefruit, straw, lemon peel, grass and a whiff of cedar. Very crisp, ripe and exotically flavored on the palate, it has nice texture, and a long toasty/yeasty finish. Drinking now, it should age gracefully to 2014+. Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa, CA.

Whole-bunch pressed in French barriques, the 2007 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc has a lovely nose with notes of green apple, greengage, a touch of white tipped asparagus and spice. Very good definition and lift: there is real character here. The palate is well balanced with ripe green fruit, delicate pear and beeswax notes, fanning out nicely on the finish with superb length. This is a top-class Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now-2014. 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 2006 Sauvage Fume Blanc was barrel fermented using natural yeasts with no malolactic. It has a fascinating nose of pear, kiwi fruit and dried orange peel: superb definition with lots of personality. The palate is vibrant, harmonious, well integrated new oak, very Chardonnay in style rather than Sauvignon! Good length. Delicious. Drink over the next year. Sacred Hill are one of Hawkes Bay’s finest producers and their Helmsman Cabernet thwarted opposition in the form of Bordeaux 2005s when tasted blind in London.Importer: Diageo, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 299-2600

Still fresh on the nose, 2005 Sauvage is a little more grassy and herbaceous than the 2007 with touches of lanolin and quince developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced and curiously reminiscent of a mature Muscadet. 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