Mbansek gave me a bottle of the Justin Sauv Blanc to try, with the stipulation that I taste against the Cloudy Bay. There have been a few notes on these two before, mostly for the Cloudy Bay, but I’m creating a new topic here since we tasted both together.

Cloudy Bay Sauv Blanc 2001– Very pale golden color. Mellon and gooseberry nose with some slight grassy notes coming through. A great crisp start that gets a little rounder as you taste. Pear and fruit taste. Refreshing and clean with a nice acidity that lingers. A great example of what I love about New Zealand sauv blanc. I will echo what others on the board have said; a great wine but there are other great NZ sauv blancs for half the price.

Justin Edna Valley Sauv Blanc 2001 – Bright golden but soft color. More of a subdued nose of pear and fruit, with some slight butter. Sweet and round. Has a tangy finish on the back of the tongue. You can feel the oak more than taste; it’s rounder than the Cloudy Bay while still maintaining the citrus acidity that lets you know it’s a sauv blanc.

I loved the Cloudy Bay and really enjoyed the Justin. I’d actually say that the Justin is my favorite California Sauv Blanc (though I haven’t had that many). As for the others at dinner; four went for the Justin and two for the Cloudy Bay.

wow. i just saw your other post, and requested the difference between the two.
thanks!
now if i can just get that vanilla risotto recipe....

tbird - Thanks for the reply. My first try at posting tasting notes. Still not confident in my palate, but I've been encouraged to start posting them anyway.

As for the carmelized vanilla rosotto, I'll grab the recipe tonight and post it for you. Turned out pretty well, I think. Warm creamy risotto with a crisp carmel top (think creme brulee).

good job! your notes are fine. i'm afraid of them too!

the risotto sounded incredible! yes, please, post them when you can.

thanks

Thetwood,

Thanks for the TN's and the comparison. Do you feel confident enough to assign points?

VM

thetwood,
I think your notes are concise and good, post more please.

Never be afraid of posting tasting notes. Few of us here are anywhere close to being experts. Wine is a very personal thing and it's always great to read about other peoples' impressions.

For the record, imho, Cloudy Bay rocks. The 2001 earns a 92-93 on the MBD scale!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I'll definitely be posting more notes now.

VM - I'm not that good at assigning points yet, but would go 92 for the Cloudy Bay and 89-90 for the Justin. Of course, you have to take my preferences in Sauv Blanc into account. I think others that tried the two would have gone differently.

tbird - I've added the recipe for Caramelized Vanilla Risotto to the Dining and Cooking forum. Hope you enjoy.

thank you, thet. i've already printed them and forwarded them to my wife. we will both enjoy that one. thanks!!