Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: White
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Year: 2008
Producer: Leopard’s Leap Winery
Grape Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: £4.32 (1/3^rd off offer, Sainsburys)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes –

This ripe, zesty blend of the tropical fruit richness of Chenin Blanc with the crisp, gooseberry and green pepper freshness of Sauvignon Blanc is a superb expression of the beautiful winelands of South Africa's Western Cape. Delightfully fruity, this juicy white wine is delicious on its own, or as the perfect partner to seafood, fish, chicken, and salads.

Somnambulist's verdict:

South African whites? Hmmm I take some convincing, and wouldn’t have picked this one off the shelf personally. My scepticism waned quickly on the first, deep sniff, however. Melons. Ripe and fruity melons. Big, fat, mouthwatering, juicy, greeny-gold, mouth-watering, succulent MELONS. Wow! They give way a little to some citrus tones, and perhaps a whiff of violet… but then it’s back to the melons, and boy do I love melons J

But it gets better on the palate. It’s got gusto and tang without being too feisty, there’s something like buttered asparagus, and it has smokiness and structure, yet somehow remains light and sippily seductive. I thought about some lovely Pouilly-Fumes and wondered how they would stack up… maybe I was just in a good mood but I really loved this!

In the sub-fiver basement hunt for bargains, I’ve come across a few crackers here and there. Occasionally, no, pretty rarely, I come across one that I think would fool me flat out that it was a more expensive wine. This is one of them – top quality at an every day price… ship it in.

Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Colour: White

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

Year: 2008

Producer: Oyster Bay Wines

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: £6.99 (reduced-price offer, Tesco from £9.99)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes –Pale straw green in colour with brilliant clarity, Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters. A concentration of tropical and gooseberry flavours with an abundant bouquet, it is a wine that is always crisp, elegant and refreshing.

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Somnambulist's verdict:
Admittedly this one doesn’t qualify in the ‘quality-for-£5-and-under’ hunt, but it snuck into the trolley under the radar anyway, and I’m rather pleased it did. Like a stylish new arrival at an otherwise dreary drinks party, it’s a bit of a head-turner: pale green with glints of gold, gentle honeysuckle on the nose that gives way to gooseberries and rhubarb, but softened by something sweet. You know from the first twinkling moment that there’s bags of character waiting to indulge you.

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There’s a flash of acidity – a gooseberry tang and a hint of limes – but it’s subtle and rides well over a sultry, mouth-filling body, almost chewy. Bold and lively, sherbet lemons fizz mischievously around the tongue, daring you to take another sip, and then another. There’s nothing dull about this wine, without being pretentious it’s a wannabe Champagne. It’s not content to sit quietly and waste time with small talk, it wants to get the party started!

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Like a great night out that comes from deciding at the last minute to stay at home, it’s a sexy Sauvignon for a sumptuous summer. Enjoy!

Le Pierrey Pouilly-Fume 2006

Name: Le Pierrey Pouilly-Fume

Colour: White

Country: France

Region: Pouilly-Fume

Year: 2006

Producer: Le Vigneron Recoltant

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: €6.40

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Notes:

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Maker's tasting notes –Made from Sauvignon grapes grown around Boisgibault, on South-West facing flint, clay and chalky soil. It is a dry, white wine with a smoky bouquet and a supple, fresh taste.

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Somnambulist's verdict: An odd nose, which I can only describe as a mix of bananas and elderflowers. This is quickly replaced by the sharp acidity on the palate. There's fresh fruit, oranges I thought, but it's also a touch floral, and the alcohol drives through and pervades far too obviously. Overall, rather a disappointment – so, find another Pouilly-Fume!

"Les Baudrieres" Pouilly-Fume 2006

Name: Les Baudrieres
Colour: White
Country: France
Region: Pouilly-Fume
Year: 2006
Producer: Dominique Baud
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 9.99

Notes:

Struggled to find much information on this wine or the producer. References seem to be largely from German sites so that is probably the main market. Will update if we come across anything else.

Somnambulist's verdict: A very pleasant, drinkable Sauvignon Blanc, if a little uninspiring. Smooth, quiet and lemony, with a touch of citrus acidity. Wouldn't pay up for it.