2005 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Icon Series - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (3/23/2006) I was optimistic, having had a few 05 NZ Sauv Blancs that were outstanding, and knowing that this is a good producer. I was sorely disappointed by this one. Grassy nose with gooseberries as fruit, but no grapefruit or good citrus quality. It's hard and sharp on the tongue, boasting high acidity that isn't balanced by any richness of fruit. Bitter midpalate, bitter finish. A badly made wine IMO, and while it's drinkable (hence the score of 80) I am disppointed by the lack of anything to balance the sharp grassy elements. (80 pts.)
Some New Zealand sauvignon blancs seem to generate really strong feelings on opposite ends of the spectrum... I recall Kim Crawford SB getting raves and bad reviews.
Seems like more than bottle variation perhaps. *shrug*
Posts: 3183 | Location: Alexandria, VA, USA | Registered: Oct 29, 2003
Bman- $16.50 or so. I don't doubt they are capable of good wines, but this one really didn't do it for me. It tasted to me as if they picked too early.
Len- I'm typically a fan of NZ sauvs. I've been working my way through a bunch of 05s and I've been pleased so far.
******* Not looking good for next year either.
Posts: 4570 | Location: Chicago | Registered: May 24, 2002
Maybe they've moved the wine down-market, as the bottle I had here a few years ago cost around CAD$30. We usually get our Down Under wines for more or less the same as the US, taking into the account the exchange rate. At the time it would therefore have been about USD$24 or so.
------------------- Go Bruins!! Go Tigers!! Go Pistons!! Go Lions!!
Have you tried their regular bottling of the '05 yet? I think they label it Marlborough Regional Collection. I tried the '04 of this wine and liked it and WS rated the '05 a little better so bought a bottle but haven't tasted it yet. Just wondering how it compares.
Right now I had a Shepherds Ridge '05 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough/NZ and it was really great - from the '04 Cloudy Bay I was disappointed - don't no, maybe my I expected more :/
Posts: 509 | Location: Germany, near Frankfurt/Main | Registered: Mar 15, 2006
Bman- my price was Costco, so figure regular retail about $19 US, which may jibe with previous pricing.
Emilio- I haven't had it.
Medo- Go for those 05s, I think Otis wrote a report about 05 NZ (you can search the database, full poster name is Otisabdul) and 05 is looking very good.
It would be great if someone else would try this to confirm or deny my impression. I'm tempted to buy another just to try it, but I hate throwing money in the toilet.
******* Not looking good for next year either.
Posts: 4570 | Location: Chicago | Registered: May 24, 2002
I've had the 2005 Nobilo regular s.b. bottling and found it quite good, especially for the price, which was around CAD$16 I think. If it was a little less, we'd probably make it our new house white, chez bman.
------------------- Go Bruins!! Go Tigers!! Go Pistons!! Go Lions!!
I didn't have anything useful to add, but I posted on this thread earlier today just b/c something popped into my head...
Then I went to my parents' for dinner and my dad served the regular Regional Collection Nobilo SB bottling (2005) with roast chicken. Funny!
I found it to have a very fruity fragrance, and a wonderful flavor with just the right amount of acidity to keep it clean. Not overly complex, but a fine wine. 89pts. I'd happily have more.
Posts: 3183 | Location: Alexandria, VA, USA | Registered: Oct 29, 2003
This is my Favorite NZ SB, although I think the 2003 Icon was the best ever Nobilo. I love this mainly because I cannot stand grapefruit flavor in a SB, so this fits my tastes quite well and is the only SB that will stand up to my HOT Habinero Laced Crab Cakes.
Posts: 227 | Location: Pasadena, CA | Registered: Jan 17, 2005
I've liked the Icon, finding it to be consisentently good...but not great. I don't know if the 05 is a bad vintage. Other 05s I've had (Neudorf, Crawford, Mt. Riley) have been very good to excellent.
Lately, I've preferred some of those other producers I listed to the Nobilo.
Grossie: do you know how Costco (mis)handles their wines?
******** "But, if ye wish her grateful prayer, Gie her a haggis!" -Robert Burns
Posts: 1085 | Location: Paradise (or 2400 miles from anywhere) | Registered: Feb 28, 2004
haggie- I don't think wines are particularly mishandled by Costco any more than other retailers. Have you been in the back of Sam's for any tasting events and it's about 80 degrees there? I have great confidence in buying young wines from Costco, particularly in the winter when there's very little chance of heat damage.
Someone please try this wine and let me know if they disagree. If there's debate I'll buy another for the educational value.
******* Not looking good for next year either.
Posts: 4570 | Location: Chicago | Registered: May 24, 2002
Originally posted by grossie: haggie- [snip]...I have great confidence in buying young wines from Costco, particularly in the winter when there's very little chance of heat damage.
Good point, grossie
******** "But, if ye wish her grateful prayer, Gie her a haggis!" -Robert Burns
Posts: 1085 | Location: Paradise (or 2400 miles from anywhere) | Registered: Feb 28, 2004
I've tasted the '04 and the '05 Nobilo SB Icon yesterday on the ProWein. A agree with grossie, the 05 was more "grassy" the the 04 - but there was no bitter midpalate and finish. It taste quite young and fresh.
Posts: 509 | Location: Germany, near Frankfurt/Main | Registered: Mar 15, 2006
ttw - it may already be too late, as I understand that most NZ sauvignon blanc is made to be drunk young. Your 2002 is now a full 4 years old, which is really pushing it, I think.
------------------- Go Bruins!! Go Tigers!! Go Pistons!! Go Lions!!
Originally posted by bman: ttw - it may already be too late, as I understand that most NZ sauvignon blanc is made to be drunk young. Your 2002 is now a full 4 years old, which is really pushing it, I think.
I held onto one Cloudy Bay 2002 as an experiment. I will try it some time and post.
