Rated 89/100 points by Wine Enthusiast and given a ‘Best Buy’ ranking, their description says it all. “Notes of lime, white grapefruit, gooseberry, grass, bell pepper and tomato leaf are woven into a chalky texture. Lifted citrusy acidity frames it all.”

The Kirkland Marlborough Sauv Blanc is sourced only from carefully selected (some of them family) vineyards in Marlborough for production at the Ti Point winery in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. The wine is selected exclusively by DC FlyntMW and Associates (whom I had the pleasure to judge wines with on a tasting panel for the Okanagan Wine Festival Society from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc is traditionally fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures with minimal handling to ensured the freshness and varietal characteristics of the grape. The 2019 Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc does not have the under-ripe Sauv Blanc characteristics sometimes associated with of green bean, asparagus and green bell pepper but accentuates the classic layers of ripe tropical fruit flavors, well-integrated acidity, and a minerality that gives length, an inviting texture and a clean, fresh finish.

Along with her mother and grandmother, winemaker Tracy Haslam cleared and prepared a small parcel of family land for vines almost 30 years ago. This meticulous vineyard sits on a beautiful strand of land running down to the sea in Ti Point, on the Matakana coast of Northern New Zealand. Tracy also sources fruit from select vineyards in other parts of New Zealand. The tiny Ti Point vineyard flourishes on family-owned land that has been nurtured by three generations of Haslam women. Tracy, a mother of three, who every other week travels (children in tow) between the winery in Hawkes Bay and the “vinery” at Ti Point has just one thing in mind – to create the finest wines of her career.

The 2019 Kirkland Ti Point Sauv Blanc is an outstanding vintage, showcasing a brilliant pale colour with superb perfumed aromas of ripe gooseberry, tropical fruit and passion fruit, the flavours are indicative of this powerful varietal — ripe gooseberry overlaid with passion fruit, hints of unripe peach, tart kiwi and a crisp, clean finish. This wine has the quintessential nose of passion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and pineapple with hints of kiwi, guava and melon. The razor sharp acidity on the palate compliments the rich juicy fruit flavours, excellent structure and balance right through to the clean, mouth-watering finish.

This is an outstanding buy at Costco’s Wine Shops at $12.

In Vino Veritas