New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has become synonymous with vibrant, fruit-forward wines that offer incredible value. The Marlborough region specifically has made a name for itself producing some of the world’s most sought-after Sauvignons.
| Exact Wine Name: Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Producer: Matua Valley Wines Country/Region of Origin: New Zealand, Marlborough Grape Varietal(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc Type: White Wine Style: Crisp, fruity, with herbaceous notes Vintage Year: 2021 Classification Status: Not applicable Retail Price Range: $13 – $17 USD (approximate) ABV: 13.0% – 13.5% |
Matua Valley is one of Marlborough’s pioneers, with over 50 years of winemaking experience in the area. Their Sauvignon Blanc is wildly popular, offering stunning aromatics and a refreshing flavor profile that overdelivers for the price point.
Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Testing Notes
Imagine your friend just handed you a glass of pale gold liquid, sunlight trapped inside. This isn’t just any Sauvignon Blanc, this is the 2021 Matua. Take a sniff, and wow, it’s like diving into a bowl of tropical fruit punch! Pineapple chunks, sweet passionfruit, maybe a kiwi hiding in the back with a mischievous grin.
First sip? Buckle up! Tangy grapefruit and lime attack your tongue, but then the melon brigade arrives, all sweetness and sunshine, to save the day. It’s like a perfectly balanced fruit salad with a twist: a whisper of fresh herbs, like mint or basil, sneaking in for a surprise party on your taste buds. This ain’t your boring office wine, this is summertime in a glass, with layers like a good beach read – sunshine, clouds, maybe a cheeky little storm.
Positives
- Crisp and refreshing style
- Lively and bright fruit flavors
- Good value for money
- Versatile food pairing
Negatives
- Some may find the herbaceous notes too pronounced
- Not a complex wine
- Can be a bit light-bodied for some
Breakdown
- Drinkability 4.5/5
- Food pairing 3.8/5
- Value for money 3.8/5
- Personal preference 4.0/5
The best part? This glass of summer disappears way too fast, leaving you craving another sip of sunshine. But fear not, it’s a chameleon! Pair it with grilled fish for a beach bonfire vibe, creamy cheese for a picnic under the trees, or even something spicy like Thai curry for a tastebud adventure. And the best part? It’s easy on the wallet, making it a win-win for happy hour or that casual dinner with friends.
So, ditch the travel brochure and grab a bottle of Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2021. It’s a beach vacation in a glass, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and sunshine in your soul. Cheers to that!
Wine Overview
Matua sources all their Sauvignon Blanc grapes from contracted growers within Marlborough. The 2021 growing season saw ideal weather conditions, with just the right amount of sunshine and rainfall at the perfect times. This allowed the grapes to ripen evenly and develop concentrated flavors.
The wine itself is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, finished bone dry with a crisp, mouthwatering acidity. It’s unoaked, allowing the vibrant fruit character to shine. On the nose, Matua Sauvignon Blanc explodes with tropical aromas of passionfruit, lime, grapefruit and guava. Gooseberry and fresh-cut grass add a classic New Zealand herbaceousness. The palate echoes the nose with juicy stone fruit flavors framed by a racy acid backbone that keeps each sip exciting. It has medium body and a smooth, rounded mouthfeel with a refreshing finish.
Appearance and Aromas
I poured the Matua into a standard tasting glass and took note of its appearance. It shows a very pale straw color with subtle green highlights, crystal clear with a slight effervescence when first poured.
Swirling released a burst of fresh, inviting aromas that literally leap from the glass. Zesty lime and ruby red grapefruit form the core, surrounded by riper tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and melon. There’s a grassy, green bell pepper vegetal note adding complexity.
After 10-15 minutes, secondary nuances emerge like white peach, lemon verbena, elderflower and flint. It continues developing in the glass for at least 30 minutes.
Palate Profile
That effusive, heady fragrance translates seamlessly to the palate. It coats the mouth with juicy flavors of gooseberry, passionfruit and lime, framed by a racy acidity that keeps each sip mouthwatering and refreshing. The acid is lively but not sharp or abrasive.
The body straddles light and medium, with a glycerous roundness to the mouthfeel. Each sip finishes clean and dry with a subtle peppery spice that lingers. Despite the low alcohol level (13%), there’s no sharpness – it’s beautifully integrated into the wine’s fabric.
Pairing Suggestions
Sauvignon Blanc’s herbal qualities, zesty acid and restrained body make it intrinsically food-friendly. The Matua pairs beautifully with lighter seafood, poultry and vegetarian dishes. It can also complement a range of ethnic cuisines.
Seafood – Matua is a joy with simply grilled fish like scallops, prawns or halibut. It’s acidic enough to cut through fried options too, like calamari or fish tacos. Gooseberry tartness even stands up to salmon or tuna sashimi.
Salads – The grassy aromatics resonate perfectly with fresh, vibrant greens – especially fruit-accented ones featuring mango, strawberries or citrus. Tangy goat cheese is another excellent partner.
Vegetarian – Dishes featuring bright vegetables, creative grains and legumes make great pairings too. Think vegetable fried rice, chilled soba noodle salad or spinach quesadillas with avocado.
Cheese – Goat and bloomy-rind cheeses like Brie pairing exceptionally well. The wine can also handle aged Gouda or slightly pungent options like Pecorino Romano. Avoid extremely funky blues or pungent, ammonia-laced cheeses.
Overall Impressions
Matua Sauvignon Blanc overdelivers for everyday drinking, especially given the sub-$20 price point. It spotlights all the vibrant stone fruit, citrus and herbal qualities Sauvignon Blanc is prized for, with purity of flavor and a refined texture that belies this tier of pricing.
The 2021 is drinking beautifully now but has the underlying acidity to age gracefully for another 3-5 years. It would even shine in horizontal tastings against older vintages. This vintage clearly illustrates why Matua Sauvignon Blanc is one of Marlborough’s most popular exports. It’s an incredible value and my top recommendation for an everyday Sauvignon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matua a good Sauvignon Blanc?
Yes! Matua receives consistently excellent reviews from critics and everyday consumers alike. It offers stunning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc character with purity of fruit and vibrant acidity.
Is Sauvignon Blanc dry or sweet?
Sauvignon Blanc is nearly always crafted in a dry style which showcases its racy acidity. Sweetness would dominate its delicate fruit flavors. The Matua has just a hint of residual sugar but tastes completely dry.
What kind of wine is Matua?
Matua Valley Winery specializes in Sauvignon Blanc as well as other aromatic whites like Pinot Gris and Riesling. They also produce limited amounts of Pinot Noir, another cool climate red grape.
Is Matua good?
Absolutely! Their Sauvignon Blanc punches well above its weight class, offering stunning flavors and aromas at very reasonable prices. Matua is considered one of Marlborough’s pioneering, benchmark producers.
I hope this review offers valuable insights into the Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021. Their wines highlight all the exuberant fruit, racy acidity and complexity Marlborough is revered for. It’s also priced exceptionally well for everyday enjoyment. I consider Matua a benchmark producer for the region – their Sauvignon Blanc should be on everyone’s radar.
