Reviews

Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'This wine from Marlborough in New Zealand seems obvious in its oyster-mating abilities. In fact, this latest vintage has green vegetal, herbal overtones that remind me of raw peas or even seaweed. Forward in personality, it's crisp with lots of tangy herbaceous lime flavour. If you're a timid eater of oysters, this is your salvation as it will blanket but not clash with their taste.'

Margaret Swaine, National Post, Canada, March 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'What impresses me with the Oyster Bay range is their consistency, quality and affordability – hard things to get right year in year out with your wines. So if you want to try something from the other side of the Tasman, i.e New Zealand this one hits the spot nicely with a balance between its tropical fruit array of characters against a backdrop of more classic gooseberry and herbaceous notes. A 50/50 bet if you care to put it this way. Enjoyable easy delicious drinking whether you like your Savvy Blanc with a tad of fruit or a tad of savoury dimension.'

www.paulippolito.com.au, Australia, March 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'Oh my Oyster Bay. You would not need to say much else in your outlet to sell this wine as it basically sells itself. The 2007 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with plenty of lively fruit character. Passionfruit and tropical fruit flavours are present in an elegant wine with a crisp, refreshing profile.'

Liquor Watch, Australia, February 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'The many thousands of Australian fans who have attached themselves to Oyster Bay in recent years may rest assured that the 2007 is every bit as delightful as previous vintages and may be bought in bulk and confidence. Pronounced passionfruit and various tropical fruit aromas and flavours abound, and the palate is light, lively and refreshing. Given the ever-increasing quantity produced, quality has been maintained.'

Herald Sun, Australia, December 2007
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'If you want to taste the prototypical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, visit your local Vintages outlet and pick up a bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007. The wine is quite pale in colour, but don't be fooled by its pallor. It has an intense gooseberry, green leaf and asparagus nose that leaps out of the glass and grabs you by the... nostrils. The fruit is well extracted, offering guava-like flavours with a slight spritz on the tongue. Fresh and lively on the palate, and medium-bodied I had it with blackened scallops and it was delicious or it'll work well with goat's cheese.'

Tony Aspler, www.tonyaspler.com and 680 Radio News
Canada, January 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'This 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect example, cut from textbook cloth, as verdant aromas of nettles and green peppers vie with juicy, tantalizing ripe tropical fruit. On the palate this is very successfully pitched, with some elegance and raciness and plenty of tangy freshness. The fruit is succulent and ripe without being too obvious and sweet and it is a wine that keeps you coming back for another sip.'

Wine of the Week, Wine-pages.com, United Kingdom, January 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'An excellent follow up release. Youthful, pale, water-like, straw colour. Then a dangerously delicious nose and palate full of gooseberries and passionfruit with a clean, tropical, grassy finish. Lovely drinking with any seafood.'

Anthony Bjorn, Anthony’s Selection, Western Australia, January 2008
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'Oyster Bay really has hit the mark. It is a well-constructed with with classic Marlborough zesty citrus, plump gooseberries, cut grass and fine acidity on a long finish. Impressive achievement.'

Wine Business Monthly, , Australia, October 2007
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007

'Go on, buy yourself a bottle. Well done to the Kiwis! You can now confidently stride into the shop in the knowledge that Oyster Bay truly lives up to its hype.'

The best wines of 2007,
Taste Food and Wine 2008 by Matthew Jukes and Tyson Seltzer
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006

'There are times when you have to include a wine that is readily available and that the public wants, for instance, Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough NZ. I intentionally didn’t put that on the wine list due to its popularity and presence in bottle shops. Then, after numerous visits from the Oyster Bay representative, I included it, and it is walking out the door.'

Central QLD Lifestyle Magazine, Brett Thompson
Australia, May 2007
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006

'If you want to buy branded wines, two countries’ products stand out: Chile and New Zealand. From NZ, is 2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc which is a textbook Sauvignon Blanc.'

Tim Atkin, Why the UK’s top 50 makes for sorry drinking
The Observer, UK, July 2007
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006

'This wine was my favorite bargain white wine in December's roundup, it's still in stores, and I still adore it. After half a year on store shelves, it tastes a little different to me, with flavors of grapefruit, fennel, watercress, an anise note and some chalky minerality and a medium-length finish.'

W.Blake Gray, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle, USA, July 2007
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'This has ripe tropical fruit with a citrus backbone and a grassy edge on the nose and palate with a zippy finish. A natural with seafood such as oysters, prawns or bugs or with spicy Asian dishes.'

Good Life, Courier Mail, 17th October 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'In a very short time this has become the fastest-growing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brand and a favourite with the Sauvignon Blanc set. Everything Sauvignon Blanc is famous for is here in abundance: the gooseberries, the grassiness, the guava, and oodles of zip, zap and zing. It’s the sort of white wine that is a good drink solo or with smoked salmon or seafood.'

Top Drops by Greg Duncan-Powell, Australian Good Taste, September 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Exactly what most of us look for in a kiwi Sauvignon Blanc: pronounced passionfruit, lychee and tropical fruits enlivened by a spritz of lemon sherbert. A genuine crowd-pleaser.'

50 Fantastic Wines by Paddy Kendler, Herald Sun, 19th September 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'If you enjoyed the 2005 version (which was excellent) then prepare yourself, for this is even better! Obvious pale, water like to look at, the pungent nose of gooseberries, tropical fruit and passionfruit carry on to the delicious, crisp and long lingering palate. Perfect summer drinking now, a very,very good wine..'

Festive Feathers, Furs and Fins by Bjorn Anthony, Summers Wine & Food Guide
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Oyster Bay winemaker Michael Ivicevich says the 2006 growing season in Marlborough, NZ, was one of the best with fruit “showing brilliant concentration, balanced with hallmark acidity”. Tropical fruit and a touch of ripe citrus aromas and flavours with an elegant crispness at the finish are signatures of this top import.'

Food & Wine by Ross Noble, Courier Mail, 15th November 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Great quality and good value. Aromatic and crisp with nice balance. Chilli squid.'

Sauvignon Blanc perfect for pubs, Hotel in South Australia, January 2007
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'When it comes to wine, stick with the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid). Equal representation of white, rosé and red. Everyone drinks Chardonnay but Sauvignon Blanc provides more flavour per sip. Oyster Bay 2006 is from New Zealand and has a good mix of raciness and fuller fruit.'

That’s the Spirit by Ben Caniader, ABC Delicious, January 2007
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Pale straw in colour with brilliant clarity, the 2006 Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters. A concentration of assertive passion fruit and tropical fruit flavours with an abundant bouquet, it is a wine that is always crisp, elegant and refreshing. The 2006 growing season is considered to be one of the best growing seasons on record with the fruit showing hallmark acidity.'

A Kiwi Classic, Liquor Watch, December 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Distinctive musk and feminine perfumes matched then by a wave of tomato leaf herbaceous character. It is friendly with good staying power and understandably popular.'

NZ Sauvignon Blanc by Louise Radman and Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser, 22nd November 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'In a very short time this has become the fastest-growing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brand and a favourite with the Sauvignon Blanc set. Everything Sauvignon Blanc is famous for is here in abundance: the gooseberries, the grassiness, the guava, and oodles of zip, zap and zing. It’s the sort of white wine that is a good drink solo or with smoked salmon or seafood.'

Greg Duncan-Powell, Australian Good Taste, September 2006
2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

'Exactly what most of us look for in a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc: pronounced passionfruit, lychee and tropical fruits enlivened by a spritz of lemon sherbert. A genuine crowd pleaser.'

Paddy Kendler, ‘50 Fantastic Wines’, Herald Sun, 19th September 2006
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005

'Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at an attractive price, the 2005 Oyster Bay offers tropical notes on the nose, then turns more citrusy on the palate as peach and melon notes give way to lime and mineral. 87 points.'

Wine Enthusiast, U.S.A. May 2006
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005

'This relative new-comer to the Sauvignon Blanc scene has made a big splash, attracting a loyal following of Blanc devotees. Voted the Top Premium White at this year’s Australian Liquor Industry Awards, this vintage is the best yet. Bursting with all the goodies and gooseberries expected from New Zealand’s Marlborough country, the all important vintage has plenty of zip-zap.'

Greg Duncan Powell, Sydney Morning Herald, December, 2005
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005

'A well-priced Kiwi sauvignon that almost dances on the tongue. It’s fresh and lively, has pristine gooseberry and lychee character with some minerally notes, plenty of weight and depth of flavour and a zesty finish. No problem reaching for a second glass here.'

‘Vintage year for bargains’, Money Magazine, Australia
December 2005
Wine pick of the week: Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005

'2005 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc impressed me with a nearly textbook New Zealand style. It has all the bright citrus aromas and flavours, especially grapefruit and lime, as well as the tart and tangy acidity that are hallmarks of these wines. This is a great warm-weather white, one of the few I’d advise chilling until it’s icy cold before serving it with gazpacho, cracked crab, grilled seafood or as a thirst-slacking aperitif.'

Richard Kinssies, The Seattle Post Intelligencer
U.S.A, May 2006
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2005 (88 Points)

'Citrus skin, herbs, spices and a stony note on the nose. Firmly built and penetrating, with brisk flavors of lemon, minerals and stone. Finishes lively, firm and persistent. Very good value.'

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 2005
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005: 'A bright, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. Well-made with great mouth-feel. Notes of gooseberry, Meyer lemon, orange peel and lime.'

Press Democrat USA (Sonoma County's home newspaper)
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - 89 points.

'Top Value' from New Zealand.
'Bright and zingy, with lime, lime peel, green apple and a whiff of herbs as the tart finish sails on and on.'

Wine Spectator magazine, USA, November 2005
'Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon has long been one of our most
successful wines. For over 10 years our customers have been impressed by the clean fruit intensity and consistent quality of this wine, and the brand goes from strength to strength.'

Matt Pym, Senior Buyer, Majestic Wine Warehouse, U.K.
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004:

'Here comes another of those zany, zesty Sauv Blancs from the most famous winemaking area in Kiwiland. This attractively-priced Oyster Bay wine is loaded with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters, a rich concentration of tropical and gooseberry flavors, and an abundant New Zealand bouquet. As these guys say: "Sometimes the world really is your oyster,"... and we believe em.'

The Wine House, USA
This perennial classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of gooseberry, grass, citrus and passion fruit. Intense lively fruit on the palate, crisp acidity with a lingering, slightly minerally finish.
My note: Another one of my long-time favorites, this wine is part of the Vintages Essentials section of the LCBO, meaning it's in stores well beyond the month of the release. Score: 90/100.

Natalie MacLean, Nat Canants Newsletter, May 2005
The Cheese: 'Soft, and so delicate that it melts in your mouth, the French cheese Rosary Ash has a fresh, lemony taste that contrasts with its smoky ash coating.'

The Wine - Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004: 'This grassy Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand matches the cheese's characteristics perfectly. Its hints of gooseberry and citrus magnify the similar flavours of the cheese. It also has a matching soft, smoky finish, which bolsters the rosary ash.'

Waitrose Food Illustrated, February 2005 United Kingdom
'Oyster Bay is currently making some very smart wines and this Sauvignon is no exception... pronounced aromas of gooseberry, nettle and a hint of sweet passionfruit. The wine dances across your tongue and finishes light, dry and crisp. A winery to watch.'

Benjamin Moechtar, Executive Sommelier & Wine Writer
Wildfire Restaurant, The Rocks, Sydney, Australia
'Oyster Bay have produced one of the best under $20 Sauvignon Blancs on the market today. This wine is fruity while still remaining creamy and full flavoured. We think it has the perfect balance for a Sauvignon Blanc.'

www.thegrape.com.au
'Lean in texture, with lively green apple and lime flavours, finishing tart and generous.'

Wine Spectator Magazine (USA)
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - 87 Points, 'Smart Buy'
November 2004
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004

A La Carte Magazine, Austria, November 2004
'Most people think of monster reds for a barbecue, but zesty white wines are often good starters when folks are sitting and chatting or wandering around the backyard as they wait for the meat to cook. These wines get the juices flowing and have a pleasant cooling effect, much like the water sprinkler.
They're aromatic enough to compete with smoke, sunscreen smells and summer breezes. And they all complement salads, starters, seafood and grilled veggies. My favorites were Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.'

Natalie MacLean, Nat Canants Newsletter 'Playing with Fire', USA
September 2004
'Smoothly seductive Sauvignon Blanc with delicate passionfruit flavours'

Bob Cambell MW
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Top Under $20 Picks
Home and Entertaining Magazine, New Zealand, September 2004
'I am yet to taste a 2004 NZ sauvignon blanc that I haven't loved. They are herbal citrussy full of classic gooseberry aromas and flavours and well they are just damn gorgeous.'
Oyster partner Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Perfect with any sort of bi-valve - grassy and delicious

Stuart Gregor, Sunday Magazine, NSW Australia
Sunday, 26 September 2004
'It is currently very pale, and has a pristine, passionfruit and herb aroma, and a delicate, fruity palate. Oyster Bay is a brand that prides itself on delivering good-quality wines without a hefty price tag, and this is a really good expression of that philosophy. '

Tony Harper, Brisbane News, Australia, 11th August 2004
'This bright and bouncy young NZ dry white is a delightful expression of its grape variety with vibrant passionfruit, nectarine and and lychee characters infused with fresh acidity. For serious dining, one might opt for a complex chardonnay but for casual meals, most Asian cuisines and all manner of seafoods, the Kiwis have the ideal wine: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Enjoy'

Paddy Kendler
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Herald Sun, Melbourne, Australia, August 3 2004
'Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($19): screwcap: Its quite possible that there's more than a slip of sweetness here but the overall result is so dashingly perfumed and intoxicating that how it's all come about is hardly worth considering: this is such a fabulously enjoyable drink. Packed to the gills with passionfruit and lychee flavours with wrings of lemon and lime keeping it tight, it is a drink I could tuck into all summer long. Drink now 91 points'

Campbell Mattinson, Winefront Monthly, Australia, July 2004
'Their Sauvignon Blancs have penetrating fruit character with a generous bouquet and refreshing gooseberry flavours adding to an overall elegance and refined structure. '

Gillian Lord, The Canberra Times, Australia, 28 July 2004
'The Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 from Marlborough New Zealand (90 points $19) is a harbinger of much more to come from this region and may cause nervousness among Australian sauvignon winemakers who charge rather more for their wines. It has fragrant crystal-clear passionfruit and lemon blossom aromas, delicate but intense fruit flavours and excellent overall balance. It's not a wine to ponder on but to gulp down with say gourmet fish and chips or anything else marine.'

James Halliday, The Weekend Australian, 24th July 2004
'White Nights
Choosing a wine that reflects the season is a clever move. A fresh, herbaceous white redolent of hedgerows in spring is Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
It's great with fresh asparagus. Enjoy as an early summer starter.'

House and Garden Magazine (UK), June 2004
'...freshly scented and vibrantly fruity, with strong melon and green capsicum flavours. Lively and lingering.'

Michael Cooper
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - 'Best Buy' :
Sunday Star Times, New Zealand, November 30th 2003
'A delightfully crisp and refreshing white wine from New Zealand's South Island..pale straw-green in colour and bursting with herbaceous, gooseberry, tropical fruit and delicate mineral flavours.a superb expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.'

Michael Whiteside, Broadcaster, BBC Radio