Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Pencarrow — Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Martinborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Overview
A refined, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from Palliser’s acclaimed Pencarrow range, showcasing Martinborough’s elegant, mineral-driven expression rather than overt tropical intensity. Built on precision, freshness, and aromatic clarity, this is Sauvignon in a restrained, food-friendly lane.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate citrus blossom, lime zest, green apple, and subtle white peach lift from the glass. Aromatics remain airy and focused, supported by gentle herbal nuance and fresh-cut citrus. On the palate, bright lemon, crunchy orchard fruit, and a faint saline edge create a beautifully layered, refreshing profile.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied yet energetic with crisp, well-integrated acidity. The texture stays sleek and clean, offering lift and tension without sharpness. The finish is lively and inviting, encouraging repeat sips.

Food Pairings
Fresh oysters or ceviche. Goat cheese and citrus salads. Grilled shrimp with herbs. Sushi and light sashimi preparations.

Verdict
Elegant, expressive, and effortlessly drinkable, this is a Sauvignon Blanc that prioritizes finesse over flash. A beautifully balanced example of Martinborough purity that delivers clarity, charm, and serious refreshment value.

Did You Know?
Martinborough’s gravelly soils and consistently cool growing season favor slower ripening and higher natural acidity, allowing Sauvignon Blanc to express aromatic detail and structural tension rather than overt tropical ripeness.

🍷 Personal Pick
Not a bombastic Sauvignon, this is a graceful, highly drinkable charmer. Crisp, aromatic, and dangerously easy to finish. The kind of bottle that quietly disappears faster than planned. Total chugger energy (in the best possible way). 😏 — 4 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

F-ing delightful, Pegasus, take me away. Well first let the Pegasus catch its breath (aka let the vino breath), then hop on. Smells a little earthy as a winged horse is want to be, but take sip and the steed takes flight. Fly through hella raspberry…orchards? Descend enough to grab those and some cherries fresh off the tree then accelerate through a tunnel of (politefully chill) oak barrels and chill. Oh! But this flight didn’t have turbulence rather (abandoning metaphor) it is supes silky but while it punches with fruit and pepper it then smooths itself across your tongue like a lace tablecloth. Aka achieves smoothness with texture and the flavors and sensations seem to pop all over my tongue prior to my hopping on my metaphorical pegasus who is (describing the finish) descending into a cherry orchard (not just cause I’m doing a stage reading of Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” soon) and lovingly (as lovingly as a creature with wings and hooves can) sending me to find my way back through the barrels to who knows? It’s like I’m Alice in Wrinkle in Time-land. Cool Pinot from NZ I’d like to take another flight on a different Pegasus Air line. Just to see. — 4 years ago

Devin Brown

8.9

The description: A wonderful bouquet of whites spices, a core of fresh pear and apple, wild white flowers and a white sand mineral quality. Youthful, complex and enticing. Satin-cream textures lead to a core of white fleshed orchard fruit flavours, some spice and mineral and acontrasting acid line. Refreshing, balanced, even and lengthy. Well made and ready to drink from 2022 through 2026.
The opinion: I agree and think we are drinking it at exactly the right time! — 2 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.2

My bottle is labeled "Gran Malvasia 2016". On the nose, this is apple orchard or maybe a peach orchard where the fruit isn't ripe yet... On the palate, for me, this is a russetted golden apple... One of those rare cider varieties deep in the orchard... Apple schnapps, dry peach, sage, mineral... Dry in the mouth... Medium acidity... The finish is long and becomes buttery as time passes... This really is outstanding seven years after the vintage. — 3 years ago

with Anita

joy horn

9.0

Bought at Pine Orchard 6/20, $17. Good standard SB, nice and crisp. — 5 years ago

Nancie Hemminger

9.4

It was a very hot day on the coast of Los Angeles and this chilled Greek gem from the island of Santorini hot the spot. Crisp, light and citrusy with a steely minerality and a slight bitterness on the finish which literally stopped me from gulping it too fast. Paired with a German style dinner of pork schnitzel and potato salad. The cider vinegar and mustard dressing of the potato salad pushed aside the slight bitterness and bounced playfully with the citrus acidity of the wine. Riesling would have paired well of course, but I just adore an Assyrtiko. It makes me feel like I am on vacation. — 6 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.1

Oddball geeky wine for sure - cross of Riesling and Sylvaner from the remote Central Otago region.

Agree with the comments - certainly more Riesling on the nose (shower curtain, tropical fruit), with Sylvaner coming in more on the palate (green fruit, white pepper, herbaceous ness). A light, insanely drinkable wine with surprisingly layers of complexity (is that schisty minerality there? Indeed it is! Some green papaya and makrut lime? That too. Citrus and orchard fruit? Uh huh. And, dare I go there, kiwi? Yup!

There’s definitely some RS in there, but acidity is high enough that it holds it well.. Not much of a finish, but none needed.

I really enjoyed this wine; my dinner companion was more meh. — 3 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.0

Vinous and slightly oxidative style. Cider vinegar, red orchard fruit, honesysuckle. — 4 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.3

Fresh squeezed limeade, reminds me of uncharacteristic chilly Autumn nights in Florida by the water. Lemongrass, palm , and pine.

Straight up apple cider, but also mango kulfi. Specifically mango kulfi. Tart keffir limes to round out, and then a brush of apricot.

Great medium acidity with tropical notes and a piney bouquet. Really lovely. Pleasantly surprised. — 6 years ago

Amy Rodriguez

9.0

What a joy! — 7 years ago