92 Schiavenza Barolo del Comune di Serralunga
d’Alba 2015 $ 47 A pure, elegant version, this red ex-
udes strawberry, cherry rose, mineral and tobacco flavors.
It’s sleek and intense, with a firm base of tannins lining
the finish. Best from 2024 through 2043. 1,040 cases made,
316 cases imported.—B.S.
90 Elio Grasso Nebbiolo Langhe Gavarini 2018
$ 26 A harmonious, expressive red, featuring cherry,
strawberry, floral and white pepper aromas and flavors. Built
for short-term aging, this lingers on the finish. Drink now
through 2024. 2,000 cases made, 38 cases imported.—B.S.
90 Luciano Sandrone Nebbiolo d’Alba
Valmaggiore 2017 $ 55 Features rich, bright cherry
fruit and dense tannins. Earth, eucalyptus and floral notes
add depth to this balanced yet muscular version. Possesses
the weight and structure of a Barolo, but is a tad less com-
plex and long. Decant. Best from 2021 through 2028. 250
cases imported.—B.S.
90 La Spinetta Moscato Piemonte Passito Oro
2010 $ 47 Intense aromas of apricot, caramel, grape-
fruit and clove define this lively dessert white. Luscious
and balanced, with a lingering finish. Drink now. 316
cases made, 28 cases imported.—B.S.NEW ZEALAND
Sauvignon Blanc93 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2019 $ 31 Vibrant and expressive, with bold Key lime,
passion fruit and tangerine flavors that are succulent and
show off details of litsea, lemon verbena and makrut lime
leaf, accented by a vibrant thread of acidity. Drink now.
65,000 cases imported.—M.W.
93 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2019 $ 17 See Smart Buys, page 94.
92 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Wild Sauvignon 2017 $ 29 Succulent white peach,
apricot and lemon curd flavors are wonderfully lush and
complex, with whiffs of beeswax, powdered ginger and
lemongrass that linger on a juicy frame. Drink now. 700
cases imported.—M.W.
92 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough The
Paper Nautilus 2017 $ 49 Succulent and rich up front,
with flavors of peach preserves and candied ginger that
end up vivid and refreshing. Mango, Key lime and apricot
notes are fleshy, juicy and very intense through the fin-
ish. Drink now. 250 cases made, 30 cases imported.—M.W.
91 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2019 $ 17 See Smart Buys, page 95.
90 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2019 $ 15 See Best Values, page 95.
90 Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley
2019 $ 14 See Best Values, page 95.
90 The Infamous Goose Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough 2019 $ 15 Focused and distinctive,
offering a savory thread of toasted herb and a note of sea
salt that mingle with lemon-lime and green apple flavors
at the core. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now. 25,000
cases made, 25,000 cases imported.—M.W.90 Loveblock Sauvignon
Blanc Marlborough 2019 $ 28
Peach, pear and citrus flavors are
plump and juicy, with a thread of
floral details and whiffs of lemon-
grass and dried mango on the finish.
Drink now. 35,000 cases made,
35,000 cases imported.—M.W.ERICA & KIM
CRAWFORD
Owners & Winemakers90 Marisco Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough The
King’s Favour Waihopai 2018 $ 16 Crisp and
refreshing, offering a mouthwatering and precise mix of
mango, peach and orange sherbet flavors, set on a sleek
frame, with details of Key lime and fresh ginger. Drink
now. 5,000 cases made, 100 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2019 $ 18 The fresh and lively flavors of green apple,
Meyer lemon and lime sherbet show good intensity,
matched by refreshing acidity. Drink now. 1,300,000 cases
imported.—M.W.
89 The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Awatere
Valley 2019 $ 15 Grassy notes add an appealing fresh
green accent to the core of crisp lemon, lime and pear
flavors, with a hint of minerality on the finish. Drink now.
125,000 cases made, 86,355 cases imported.—M.W.
89 Koha Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2019
$ 13 Intensely bold and crisp, with terrific concentration
to the green apple, grapefruit and lemon zest flavors, set on
a light, refreshing body. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 4,120
cases imported.—M.W.
88 Locations Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand
NZ 8 NV $ 25 Succulent peach and apricot flavors are
round and lush, showing off notes of ripe melon and apple.
A juicy thread of acidity leads to firming accents of freshly
clipped herbs on the finish. Drink now. 16,000 cases made,
16,000 cases imported.—M.W.
88 The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Waihopai River 2019 $ 14 Offers a mouthwatering
mix of lemongrass, lime sherbet and green apple flavors,
with intense acidity. Drink now. 550,000 cases made,
14,000 cases imported.—M.W.
88 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
2018 $ 20 Meyer lemon, apricot and melon flavors
show a note of apple skin, revealing plenty of intensity.
Vivid acidity. Drink now. 375,000 cases imported.—M.W.
88 Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Peter Yealands 2019 $ 15 Crisp and grassy, with a
green accent adding freshness to the core of lemon-lime
flavors and peach notes, set on a refreshing frame. Drink
now. 290,000 cases made, 37,000 cases imported.—M.W.
87 Auntsfield Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Single Vineyard Southern Valleys 2019 $ 20
Mouthwatering lemon-lime, melon and green apple
flavors are crisp and focused on a refreshing frame, with
a whiff of lemon verbena. Drink now. 7,000 cases made,
3,000 cases imported.—M.W.
87 Giesen Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2019
$ 15 Citrus and green grassy notes are light and lively,
with a hint of peach blossom on the crisp finish. Drink
now. 110,000 cases imported.—M.W.
87 Walnut Block Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Collectables 2019 $ 13 Direct, with green apple, pear
and melon flavors, set on a crisp frame. A note of lemon
thyme lingers. Drink now. 16,000 cases made, 14,000 cases
imported.—M.W.PORTUGAL
Douro97 Wine & Soul Douro Quinta da Manoella
Vinhas Velhas 2017 $ 115 See Highly Recommended,
page 93.
96 Quinta do Crasto Douro Honore 2015 $ 1 , 450
1. 5 L A flashy red, with impressive complexity, showcas-
ing raspberry reduction and steeped cherry flavors, infused
with anise, milk chocolate and cedar accents. Undertones
of violet, baking spice and olive are encased by full velvety
tannins on the long, echoing finish. Generous but elegant.
Best from 2022 through 2035. 300 cases imported.—G.S.
96 Quinta do Vale Meão Douro 2017 $ 99 See
Highly Recommended, page 93.94 Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz Douro 2016 $ 78
Refined, featuring ripe raspberry and vivid currant notes
woven with cedar, violet and graphite details. Offers firm,
integrated tannins, with accents of clove, espresso and
wild herb sailing into the long finish. Best from 2021
through 2030. 75 cases imported.—G.S.
93 Quinta das Carvalhas Tinta Francisca Douro
2015 $ 70 This wine offers elegance, with rose petal
aromas lingering through the ripe raspberry and red currant
flavors. Undertones of mineral, cedar and orange zest are
backed by baking spice and toasty details on the structured
finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,000 cases made.—G.S.
93 Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do
Carmo Douro Aeternus 2017 $ 250 Inky and
generous layers of Kalamata olive, ganache and boysen-
berry mix with cured meat, savory spice and hot stone
notes in this muscular, concentrated red. Details of bitter
chocolate, graphite and medicinal herb sail beside the
savory finish. A powerhouse wine. Best from 2022 through- 250 cases made.—G.S.
93 Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do
Carmo Douro Grande Reserva 2017 $ 175 A
generous, mouthcoating red, backed by solid acidity and
full, velvety tannins, offering macerated blackberry,
steeped currant and espresso notes. Powerful, with ele-
ments of dark chocolate shavings, dried violet and spice
lingering on the mineral-infused finish. Best from 2022
through 2030.—G.S.
93 Wine & Soul Douro White Guru 2018 $ 45
This shows a lot of finesse, with a hint of toast weaving
through the lemon blossom, fresh heather and ripe white
peach flavors, lightly detailed by ethereal accents of spice,
mineral and chamomile tea. Like a fine white Burgundy,
this medium-bodied white should age nicely. Rabigato,
Viosinho, Gouveio and Côdega do Larinho. Drink now
through 2027. 500 cases made, 100 cases imported.—G.S.
92 Quinta das Carvalhas Douro Vinhas Velhas
2017 $ 70 An open-knit red, with mouthcoating flavors
of blackberry ganache, blackberry reduction and graphite.
Details of violet, Earl Grey tea and licorice are matched to
toast and baking spice accents on the tannic finish. Best
from 2021 through 2028. 600 cases made.—G.S.
92 Quanta Terra Douro Fingerprint Grande
Reserva 2017 $ 35 This concentrated red bursts with
ripe black cherry and steeped blackberry flavors, interwo-
ven with anise, graphite and violet details. Full, plush
tannins are matched to baking spice, tea and raspberry
notes on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 200 cases
made, 40 cases imported.—G.S.
91 Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do
Carmo Douro White Mirabilis 2018 $ 83 This me-
dium-bodied white offers elegance to the mango, peach
cobbler and honeysuckle notes, bound by fresh, integrated
acidity. Baking spice, white tea and floral elements persist
on the finish. Gouveio, Côdega and Viosinho. Drink now
through 2024. 1,150 cases made, 50 cases imported.—G.S.
91 Wine & Soul Douro Manoella 2017 $ 22 This
red bursts with freshness, offering boysenberry, red currant
and brambly fruit notes, detailed with pepper, graphite
and wild herb elements. Accents of black tea, black olive
and violet dovetail on the moderately tannic finish.
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga
Francesa. Drink now through 2026. 2,000 cases made, 250
cases imported.—G.S.
90 Ramos-Pinto Douro Duas Quintas Reserva
2017 $ 44 A fresh, full-bodied red, featuring glossy tan-
nins that encase the black cherry, violet and black currant
notes, infused with anise, graphite and spice accents. The
structured finish offers black tea and toast elements.
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Barroca.
Drink now through 2026. 4,000 cases made, 100 cases
imported.—G.S.
New Releases: Italy / New Zealand / Portugal106 WINE SPECTATOR • MAY 31, 2020WS053120_buying.indd 106 3/18/20 9:57 PM