First of a couple of videos featuring a range of Sauvignons I tasted in early January 2011 (the second is here) – Sauvignon doesn’t always float my boat, but I enjoyed these…

De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2010,  Durbanville, South Africa (£16.99 Oddbins)
Bracing wine with grassy green pepper aromas and a lime custard edge that makes you wonder whether there’s any Semillon in the blend. Quite rich and intense, but still fresh and clean – just wish that green pepper edge wasn’t there. B+

Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Elgin, South Africa (£12.49 Majestic)
Grown-up Sauvignon not trying to dazzle or shriek, just content to ooze fleshy but still lively gooseberry, plum and greengage flavours, pepped up by touch of minerals and woodsmoke. S

Seven Springs Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Hermanus, South Africa (~£10 Bar Wines,  Cybercellar, Proteas Wines, C.A. Rookes, Underwood Wines, Vin Neuf)
Another one aiming for restraint, shows toffee, citrus & Cox’s apple flavours – sweet yet crunchy – as well as a soft gentle minerally edge. Impressive debut. S-

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand (~£9 widely available)
Essence of greenness, invigorating young wine with grassy lemon, melon and green apple fruit and an appealing juicy finish. B+

Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand (contact Enotria for stockists)
This is Sauvignon for Chardonnay fans, with partial barrel-ageing adding creamy, buttery weight and fruit veering more to the tropical than the green spectrum (and a touch of blackcurrant leaf too). But despite the richness, there’s a spine of freshness running through it all – good wine. S