Cracking open this benchmark Sauv feels like sticking your nose in a passionfruit bowl. There's an array of aromatic delights here too - guava, lime and lemongrass to the fore before a big punchy palate of crisp, dry and lingering flavours. No need to ask Siri what Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc should taste like, just dive into this!

Vavasour is the OG. This Marlborough producer was the founding winery of the Awatere Valley sub-region - they literally put it on the map - taking this part of NZ from a gigantic sheep farm established back in the 1890s to a pioneering new region with vines that now date all the way back to 1986 (which is seriously old for New Zealand). After almost four decades, no one is surprised that the brand custodians, the Foley family - with Chief Winemaker Stu Marfell - are all over the Marlborough brief. We're talking punchy Sauv Blanc, mineral Pinot Noir, and the most luxurious Marlborough Pinot Gris around. What really ups that character and intensity is the Awatere Valley itself - it's a cool, windy, sunny and super dry part of NZ, with huge swings between day and night temps. All of that means a)you need a jacket/many layers, b)it's the perfect conditions for grapes to build up oceans of flavour and lots of natural fresh acidity.