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New York Examiner Robert Haynes-Peterson 29th September 2009
The second release of this single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc has hints of metal, peach, grass and light earth, while on the palate it gives off notes of spice, light metal, light butter, and lemon. It is tight and spicy, with a long finish.
www.winecompanion.com.au James Halliday 26th September 2009
As they say, the real deal, partially barrel fermented in older French oak and given extended lees contact. Thus textural complexity is a given, but so are the citrus and stone fruit flavours, and the streak of minerally acidity to cleanse the finish. That said, drink soon. 95 points.
Style Gourmet (New York) Elliot Essman 20th September 2009
The Jackson Estate 2007 Grey Ghost Sauvignon Blanc, $25 (USD) with only 150 cases imported, makes another statement entirely. The “Grey Ghost” refers to the giant gum tree planted by a family ancestor in 1867 whose image appears on all Jackson Estate bottles. Here grapes derive from a single vineyard, the Homestead. Paterson uses indigenous yeast to get this one started, fermenting in old (and hence neutral) oak and giving five months lees contact, followed by a year of bottle aging. Medium lemon in color, the nose is more intense than that of the Stich. I enjoyed aromas of clove and acacia among the rich citrus and tropical fruit. The wine is dry, giving palate delights of lychee, angelica, candied fruit, and peach, blended with a savory and floral side. A Pouilly-Fumé feel. A generous wine.
Wine Spectator Harvey Steiman Web Only
Aromatic and bursting with fruit, this has pear, apple and a hint of passion fruit on a relatively soft, open-textured frame. 88 points.
www.wineorbit.co.nz Sam Kim Issue 4 April 2009
Home grown grapes were hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed to older French oak barrels (50%) and the other half into stainless steel tanks for indigenous ferment at relatively warm temperatures (around 20˚C). Both parcels were lees stirred for four months post fermentation. The resulting wine is distinctively Sauvignon yet with added dimension. The nose is savoury displaying dried herb and gentle nutty/toasty characters with chalky mineral notes. It’s rich and weighty on the palate with excellent acidity leading to a lengthy finish. The wine shows stunning concentration, texture and refreshing mouthfeel. At its best: now to 2012. 5 Stars.
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to NZ Wines Michael Cooper 2009
4 Stars. Far outside the commercial mainstream, the 2007 vintage was hand harvested in Marlborough and fermented in a 50/50 split of tanks and seasoned French oak barrels. A fully dry wine it is mouth filling and crisp, with ripe gooseberryish flavours, tight and youthful and a dry slightly flinty finish. It needs time; open mid 2009 onwards.
www.mirror.co.uk Chris Wilson, 15th December 2008.
For something a little more zingy and aromatic, try Jackson Estate's top end wine Grey Ghost Sauvignon Blanc 2007, intensely fresh and grassy, with mineral notes, classic asparagus notes and tropical fruit.
Otago Daily Times Charmian Smith October 2008
A funky,complex wine, barrel fermented with wild yeast, this has mouth filling hints of smoky oak, mineral, ripe green fruits and along complex finish.
NZ House and Garden Yvonne Lorkin September 2008
Named after an ancient old gum tree in the corner of the vineyard, this sauvignon has a tonne of complexity about it with aromas of grapefruit pith, lime, yellow plums and green herbs. It has a tangy minerality in the mouth and a long, textural finish.
Bob Campbell MW Bob Campbell MW September 2008
Full-flavoured wine with stone fruit and citrus plus a hint of exotic guava characters. A suggestion of oak and yeast lees character adds body and complexity but at a cost to purity and fruit focus.
www.truewines.co.nz David Stewart 24th August 2008
Look - Light, firm, greenish yellow
Smell - A deep, expressive nose in which aroma's prevail, with hints of gooseberry and wet flint in the background.
Taste - A short-ish burst of herb and gooseberry opens for a wine of serious complexity, with a quiet intensity that unfolds itself for the patient imbiber. Nettles, almonds and a flinty minerality are amongst the key flavour notes here, as long, savoury finish underlines the inherent quality of the wine.
Rating: 8/10
www.truewines.co.nz Keith Stewart 18th April 2008
Look - Light gold/straw.
Smell - Aromatic, deep nose is pure and fresh.
Taste - Very pure, fresh impact with a hint of citrus and a very cool demeanour. Bright mid palate has some interesting flavour details that add a measure of savoury/nuttiness to the wine. Finish is fresh, clean and dry with a lovely aromatic lift and fading hint of flowers.
Rating: 8/10
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