I'd better give you all the spiel that is written by Sunday Times WC & Tony L. about this wine.
Dave Knappstein is the latest in a long line of talented winemakers. His great-grandfather Joseph Knappstein was one of the forefathers of the Australian wine industry, his father a former winemaker at Penfolds.
Today Dave works with his old-friend (and former flat-mate) John Forrest at the acclaimed Forrest Estate in Marlborough. It's here where he produced this exhilarating Sauvignon using fruit grown in the regions best vineyards. I like it. I would say that MSB fruit for 2009 is easy. This wine is easy, yet very nice.
Riper gooseberries than 2008 and hardly a tarty bit in sight, some pink grapefruit - excl the pithy bit, add a table spoon full of lychee, add another table spoon full of mango, knock any sharp corners off, and you have it.
I need to do a horizontal with Ned '09 and JE'09 to do the maths.
I bought on the 24 hour offer game with biggy discount on 16th December, the wine turned -up on Saturday 2nd January, along with CB 2009. Right now, and I am immediately seduced by the fresh fruit, and beautifully balanced acidy of the wine - yeah .....the taste lingers very sweetly in the mouth, whilst I write this hogwash..... without any pithy bits to clutter the finish.
If you want an MSB which is lean and mean with attitude - dont buy it, if you you want a lovely and pale, yet fruity and fresh wine, this is for you.
For past comparisons - and given that the ole grey matter is not quite so accurate these days
....... I'd say, 70% The Reach 2007 and 30% Stonewall 2007. A good wine.
Smart minimal designer label, the DK design font is slightly raised on the paper.
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