16 of the best wines from the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023

This year at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters we tasted 143 different wines with, as one might expect, the majority from New Zealand and Chile. But there were also entries from 14 different countries and medals awarded to 12, including Moldova.

Find out about some of the best wines awarded medals below, including tasting notes from our judges.

VULCAIA FUMÉ

Producer: Inama Azienda Agricola

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2021

ABV: 15%

Approx. retail price: £32

This wine is one that appealed from the very first sniff. It has a complex nose, with honeyed grapefruit, passionfruit and a touch of lemon zest, and then underneath there is cedarwood, amber, some clove and nutmeg, and a touch of smoky vanilla. One judge described it as perfumed, which is a perfect description, and not often accurately applied to Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, the oak is evident, but beautifully integrated. The fruit is ripe, but retains a lovely freshness, with a stunning mouthfeel and layers upon layers which unfold elegantly as you hold it. It has amazing complexity, and years ahead of it. This is a wine to rival top white Bordeaux, and was my favourite of the day.

 

CLOS DU VAL SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Clos du Val

Region: Napa Valley

Country: USA

Vintage: 2022

ABV: 13.8%

Approx. retail price: £45

A gorgeous and complex nose of candied citrus, with lemongrass and peach notes and a hint of vanilla. The wine is dry and fullbodied, with ripe fruit evidencing its warm climate, but retaining a refreshing acidity. The texture is the real joy of this wine. The skilled use of high-quality oak wraps around the luscious fruit, giving it body and weight. This wine is elegant, layered and long, with true finesse, and will improve for at least a further five years. Delicious.

 

BRANCOTT ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Brancott Estate

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 92%; other 8%

Vintage: 2023

ABV: 12.5%

Approx. retail price: £8

Pungent gooseberry, grass and a hint of tropical passionfruit and guava. On the palate, it is textbook Marlborough, with a stone and salty seaweed character, and well-balanced juicy acidity with plenty of grapefruit and nettle notes. It has good length and an excellent, textured palate – this wine shows surprising complexity at this price point.

 

KAIORA BAY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Booster Wine Group

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Vintage: 2023

ABV: 12.5%

Approx. retail price: £7

Juicy gooseberry, box, and pronounced grassiness on the nose, with a touch of passionfruit and a hint of chalky minerality. On the palate, it is refreshing, with bright and very well-integrated acid, with kumquat and citrus notes and a touch of the chalkiness detected on the nose. It has good length, a really nice texture, and is balanced and most enjoyable. At this price, an absolute steal.

 

VILLA MARIA EARTHGARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Villa Maria

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Vintage: 2022

ABV: 12%

Approx. retail price: £13.80

A heady, quite floral nose, with some nettles, sage and, of course, gooseberry notes. Zesty yuzu and tangy grapefruit on the palate, vibrant acidity and yet true elegance, with a textured, chalky minerality. This wine has a long finish and lovely texture – fresh and quite more-ish.

 

AOTEA BY THE SEIFRIED FAMILY

Producer: Seifried Estate

Region: Nelson

Country: New Zealand

Vintage: 2023

ABV: 13%

Approx. retail price: £19

A tropical-leaning style, with lots of passionfruit and melon overlaying a touch of lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry. Some flinty undertones give a pleasing complexity to the nose. The palate is layered and quite saline, with plenty of yuzu and green spices, and tangy acidity, with a apleasing medium weight.

 

VILLA MARIA SINGLE VINEYARD TAYLOR’S PASS SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Villa Maria,

Region: Marlborough,

Country: New Zealand

Vintage: 2022,

ABV: 13%

Approx. retail price: £16

Clean and fresh on the nose, with an elegant restraint. It has floral peach blossom aromas, with youthful notes of apple and pear, and a hint of lemon peel. On the palate, it is dry, with moderate alcohol and a tangy juiciness. With refreshing yet not overpowering acidity, appealing fruit and a slightly pithy finish, this is a very enjoyable wine.

 

TOKARA SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Tokara

Region: Stellenbosch

Country: South Africa

Vintage: 2023

ABV: 13.5%

Approx. retail price: £17.25

A lovely floral, quite youthful nose with moderately intense, clean, fresh ripe apple notes. Dry on the palate, it has vibrant citrus with warming alcohol, balanced by the tangy acidity and lovely texture. With a long finish, this wine is very enjoyable, and very nicely priced.

 

STONELEIGH SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Stoneleigh

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand Vintage: 2023

ABV: 13%

Approx. retail price: £13

A pale, lemon-yellow hue belies a pungent nose of ripe lemons and passionfruit, with a touch of asparagus and grapefruit. On the palate, it is dry, with refreshing acidity, and a crisp, citric bite. The finish is ripe and juicy, with lovely, mouthwatering fruit and moderate length. A very appealing wine.

 

TE PA SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: te Pa Family Vineyards,

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand,

Vintage: 2023,

ABV: 13.5%

Approx. retail price: £16.99

A very ripe style, with intense, focused and juicy fruit on the nose. The palate is more mineral, dry, with crisp acidity and a pleasing texture. It has a very good balance of all its component parts, and a long finish. A very enjoyable, juicy wine.

 

QUARTZ FUMÉ

Producer: Chamlija,

Region: Strandja Mountains,

Country: Turkey

Vintage: 2022,

ABV: 14.5%,

Approx. retail price: £22

Rich, ripe lychee fruit on the nose, with perhaps a touch of botrytis. It is finely balanced, complex and long, with good fruit intensity and some power, yet retaining a lovely freshness. The oak is evident, but very well-integrated, adding body but not overpowering fruit. A lovely wine, and a delight to see Turkey producing something of this quality.

 

L’INQUISITORE

Producer: Decugnano dei Barbi,

Region: Orvieto,

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2021,

ABV: 14%,

Approx. retail price: £24

Dense nose with hazelnuts and brazil nuts, with hints of honey, vanilla and cinnamon. On the palate, it is intense and beautifully fresh, with a full body and soft texture. This is a complex, multi-layered wine with a lovely balance and long finish. A wine for food – pasta alfredo or a seafood risotto.

 

TOKARA DIRECTOR’S RESERVE WHITE

Producer: Tokara,

Region: Stellenbosch,

Vintage: 2020

ABV: 13.5%

The second gold from this accomplished Stellenbosch producer, this is a classy, layered wine, with a restrained and refined nose with touches of citrus jelly and grass. In the mouth, it is rich, smooth and stylish, showing very good length and excellent integration.

 

VULKANLAND STEIERMARK DAC SAUVIGNON BLANC RIED NEUSETZBERG

Producer: Krispel

Region: Vulkanland Steiermark DAC

Country: Austria

Vintage: 2021

ABV: 12.5%

Approx. retail price: £20

A complex nose, with a delicate, elegant style, quite restrained, but with ripe lemon, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nut underneath. On the palate, it is dry, crisp and more citrussy, with plenty of layers of white stone fruits and green apples. Lighter weight, it has a pleasing elegance and delicacy.

 

LÉOUBE COLLECTOR BLANC

Producer: Chateau Léoube,

Region: Provence,

Country: France

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 50%; Rolle 20%; Semillon 15%; Ugni Blanc 15%,

Vintage: 2022,

Approx. retail price: £65

Heady, ripe tropical fruit and lemon confit on the nose, with hints of grapefruit, box and honeysuckle. On the palate, rich and ripe, with a pleasing texture, but less complexity than might be expected at this price. An exceedingly heavy bottle.

 

DOURTHE NO 1 BORDEAUX BLANC

Producer: Dourthe

Region: Bordeaux

Country: France Vintage: 2022

ABV: 12.5%

Approx. retail price: £9.25

Nose shows clean gooseberry and white stone fruit, with a hint of passionfruit. On the palate, it is quite juicy, dry, with an appealing freshness. Not complex, and for immediate drinking, but excellent value from this ever-reliable producer.