Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery store
(this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied by Villa
Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.

No formal tasting notes, but smells of tropical fruit and grapefruit
leapt from the bottle as I opened it. On the palate, it was crisp and
vibrant grapefruit. Comparing this bottle to the '04, there is no
question that it's a more interesting wine. Better fruit sources, or
better year? This question must await further tasting, or a
pronouncement by Lord St. H., whichever comes first ;-)

Mark Lipton
Your reporter in the street for late-breaking vintage news

In article ,
Mark Lipton wrote:

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery store
(this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied by Villa
Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.

No formal tasting notes, but smells of tropical fruit and grapefruit
leapt from the bottle as I opened it. On the palate, it was crisp and
vibrant grapefruit. Comparing this bottle to the '04, there is no
question that it's a more interesting wine. Better fruit sources, or
better year? This question must await further tasting, or a
pronouncement by Lord St. H., whichever comes first ;-)



Interesting. The local grocery store had this for $1.99/bottle but I
didn't try any of it. I wish I had. I found other gems, though, like
vintage Iron Horse sprakling wine for $4 and Fess Parker chardonnay
for $2. Every once in a while the grocery store loses its mind. In
past years I've found Ravenswood Icon, BV Tapestry, and Taittinger
for similar prices. I guess when they want it cleared it gets cleared.


Dimitri

In article , says
....

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery store
(this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied by Villa
Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.

No formal tasting notes, but smells of tropical fruit and grapefruit
leapt from the bottle as I opened it. On the palate, it was crisp and
vibrant grapefruit. Comparing this bottle to the '04, there is no
question that it's a more interesting wine. Better fruit sources, or
better year? This question must await further tasting, or a
pronouncement by Lord St. H., whichever comes first ;-)

Mark Lipton
Your reporter in the street for late-breaking vintage news

Thanks for the notes (TNs, or not).

I'm PERSONALLY glad to hear the positive report. As a big fan of the CB NZ/SB,
plus Nautilus, et al, I really appreciate that style of SB.

I do wonder about the marketing choice of re-naming, or perhaps botteling
wines for specific markets. As you noted, this one might not even "exist" in
NZ. Is the export market so driven by labeling? It does appear that the "
Madison Ave" types feel that it is. How many "Yellow-Tailed-Fat-*******s, do
we need? Sorry for the rant.

Again, thanks,
Hunt

In article , says
....

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery store
(this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied by Villa
Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.


[SNIP]

Mark Lipton
Your reporter in the street for late-breaking vintage news

Hm-m-m, looks like you might be right - http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050823/235567
..html?.v=1. Label is by the same design team, that brough Yellow Tail to these
(US) shores. Well, at least this wine seems quite good. I have not experienced
it, or the '04, but will have to trek off to Whole Foods to give it a swirl,
if I can get past the crowds, and there is any left! G

Thanks,
Hunt

"D. Gerasimatos" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Mark Lipton wrote:

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery store
(this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied by Villa
Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.

No formal tasting notes, but smells of tropical fruit and grapefruit
leapt from the bottle as I opened it. On the palate, it was crisp and
vibrant grapefruit. Comparing this bottle to the '04, there is no
question that it's a more interesting wine. Better fruit sources, or
better year? This question must await further tasting, or a
pronouncement by Lord St. H., whichever comes first ;-)



Interesting. The local grocery store had this for $1.99/bottle but I
didn't try any of it. I wish I had. I found other gems, though, like
vintage Iron Horse sprakling wine for $4 and Fess Parker chardonnay
for $2. Every once in a while the grocery store loses its mind. In
past years I've found Ravenswood Icon, BV Tapestry, and Taittinger
for similar prices. I guess when they want it cleared it gets cleared.


Dimitri


Hmm--- I seem to recall someone in the wine business telling me that (in
California) they couldn't sell wine for less than what it cost them. Some
consumer protection scheme or such. Any truth to this?

Mike P

"Hunt" wrote in reply to MarkLipton.....
Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc which I had stumbled upon in the local grocery
store (this is now the sole NZ SB there, a niche formerly occupied
by Villa Maria Private Bin ). From what I can tell, this label is a
Canandaigua/Nobilo product that may have no actual existence in NZ.

No formal tasting notes, but smells of tropical fruit and grapefruit
leapt from the bottle as I opened it. On the palate, it was crisp and
vibrant grapefruit. Comparing this bottle to the '04, there is no
question that it's a more interesting wine. Better fruit sources, or
better year? This question must await further tasting, or a
pronouncement by Lord St. H., whichever comes first ;-)

I'm PERSONALLY glad to hear the positive report. As a big fan of the
CB NZ/SB, plus Nautilus, et al, I really appreciate that style of SB.

I do wonder about the marketing choice of re-naming, or perhaps bottling
wines for specific markets. As you noted, this one might not even "exist"
in
NZ. Is the export market so driven by labeling? It does appear that the "
Madison Ave" types feel that it is. How many "Yellow-Tailed-Fat-*******s,
do we need?

As Mark correctly observed, Monkey Bay is a US only, "marketers" label
(there was a brief discussion in this ng back in June).

And of course, the Madison Ave publicity machine is in full swing in respect
of the 2005 vintage - take a look at
http://tinyurl.com/8x3rx

(Note that the label design was done by the same designer of YellowTail!)

I can make no comment on this particular wine, but the 2005 vintage out of
Marlborough was somewhat smaller than 2004, but, being a little warmer and
drier at harvest, expect wines with plenty of flavour and good
concentration.

--

sthelier

In article ,
Mike P wrote:

Hmm--- I seem to recall someone in the wine business telling me that (in
California) they couldn't sell wine for less than what it cost them. Some
consumer protection scheme or such. Any truth to this?


I have no idea, but I see it all the time - unless their costs are a lot
lower than I imagined!


Dimitri

In article ,
says...

"Hunt" wrote in reply to MarkLipton.....

[SNIP]


As Mark correctly observed, Monkey Bay is a US only, "marketers" label
(there was a brief discussion in this ng back in June).

And of course, the Madison Ave publicity machine is in full swing in respect
of the 2005 vintage - take a look at
http://tinyurl.com/8x3rx

(Note that the label design was done by the same designer of YellowTail!)

I can make no comment on this particular wine, but the 2005 vintage out of
Marlborough was somewhat smaller than 2004, but, being a little warmer and
drier at harvest, expect wines with plenty of flavour and good
concentration.

--

sthelier

Yes, after my first reply, but before yours, I found the URL and deduced as
much. They did not come out and confirm, and you did - thanks - that it was US
only, but I suppose we "yanks" will buy anything with a catchy name, and a
cute animal on the bottle. However, Mark's notes indicate that it might be
worthwhile SB. I'll have to make an exception and BUY a wine with a catchy
name AND a cute animal on the bottle G.

Thanks to both you and Mark,
Hunt

Hunt

Mark Lipton wrote:

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc ...

Bark cork, plastic stopper, screw-cap?

M.

Michael Pronay wrote:

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc ...


Bark cork, plastic stopper, screw-cap?

Plastic stopper, Michael. Since this is an export-only brand, I suspect
that they avoided Stelvin for the US market.

Mark Lipton

Mark Lipton wrote:

Last night, I opened a bottle of the '05 Monkey Bay New
Zealand Sauvignon Blanc ...

Bark cork, plastic stopper, screw-cap?

Plastic stopper, Michael.

Thank you.

Since this is an export-only brand, I suspect that they avoided
Stelvin for the US market.

I hear extremely contradicting news from the US markets: From total
rejection to acclaimed approval - strange, isn't it?

M.