2015 Mohua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (Alcohol 12.5%) LCBO Vintages $18.95 (750ml)
This 2015 vintage from New Zealand’s Mohua is certainly a bit of a different elegant expression of Marlborough Sauvignon, with much less prominent in-your-face fruit than we have seen in most recent examples at this price point.
Named after one of New Zealand’s rarest birds, a bird found now only in a few particular spots in the south island, the Mohua winery has proudly been family-owned and managed for two generations by the McLachlans.
Instead of that almost cliché abundant passionfruit one will find an almost ethereal citrus, grapefruit, lemon, and lime aromatic profile, with a touch of elderflower, which is much more appealing in my personal opinion.
On the palate one will discover a distinct core of ripe tropical fruit, namely green mango and pineapple, a little gooseberry, and with just a teeny hint of the usually prolific passionfruit. The palate is seriously crunchy and crisp, with a slightly chalky texture, and a persistent tropical fruit finish.
I sat down with a bottle of this and some excellent Gỏi cuốn shrimp rice-paper rolls, and the two were truly a match made in heaven. While it may be pushing it a little to compare this to a Sancerre, it’s certainly one of the New Zealand Sauvignons that has come closest, particularly on the nose.
(Four apples out of a possible five)
Mohua is represented in Ontario by Rogers and Company. Rogers and Company are a Good Food Fighter.
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Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, and writer Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… And that was lip-smackingly good, especially with those shrimp rolls.
