For a while there, it seemed that Kiwi winemakers were doing all they could to dial up the grapefruit factor in their sauvignon blancs. It became the calling card of the nation's largest vinous export, but like any asset, too much of a good thing got to be astringent and whacked. Recently a guest brought a bottle of the 2024 Martin's Rake Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($13) to dinner. Easily found on grocery store shelves, this certainly has plenty of citrus and passion fruit, but also zesty Grannysmith apple and fresh cut grass, like old school California sauv blancs used to. Refreshing, delicious and priced right, this is a crowd-pleasing white to buy in quantity. It also finishes dry and clean. 91 points.
