King Maui
Cellar Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
King Māui “Cellar Reserve” Sauvignon Blanc – 2024
Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Overview
A reserve-tier Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, crafted to emphasize the region’s signature aromatic intensity. This bottling leans heavily into the riper, more exuberant expression of the variety, prioritizing tropical fruit concentration and sharp acidity over restraint or subtlety.
Aromas & Flavors
Explosive tropical profile led by passion fruit, guava, and ripe pineapple, followed by lime zest and grassy herbal notes. The aromatics are pronounced and immediate, bordering on overpowering, with fruit-driven intensity dominating the profile.
Mouthfeel
High-acid and sharply tart. The palate is energetic but aggressive, with flavors that linger longer than desired. Refreshing in theory, yet the persistence and intensity reduce overall balance.
Food Pairings
Works best with bold, acidic-friendly dishes such as spicy Thai cuisine, ceviche, or dishes with citrus-forward sauces that can match the wine’s sharpness.
Verdict
A textbook example of modern, high-impact Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Well-made and expressive, but stylistically too intense and tart for those who prefer more nuanced, mineral-driven, or restrained Sauvignon Blanc expressions.
King Māui “Cellar Reserve” Sauvignon Blanc – 2024
Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Overview
A reserve-tier Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, crafted to emphasize the region’s signature aromatic intensity. This bottling leans heavily into the riper, more exuberant expression of the variety, prioritizing tropical fruit concentration and sharp acidity over restraint or subtlety.
Aromas & Flavors
Explosive tropical profile led by passion fruit, guava, and ripe pineapple, followed by lime zest and grassy herbal notes. The aromatics are pronounced and immediate, bordering on overpowering, with fruit-driven intensity dominating the profile.
Mouthfeel
High-acid and sharply tart. The palate is energetic but aggressive, with flavors that linger longer than desired. Refreshing in theory, yet the persistence and intensity reduce overall balance.
Food Pairings
Works best with bold, acidic-friendly dishes such as spicy Thai cuisine, ceviche, or dishes with citrus-forward sauces that can match the wine’s sharpness.
Verdict
A textbook example of modern, high-impact Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Well-made and expressive, but stylistically too intense and tart for those who prefer more nuanced, mineral-driven, or restrained Sauvignon Blanc expressions.