Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Black Label 2023

That wine was so undeniably amazing. It was treated to a hit parade of big scores usually reserved for top Napa Valley Cabernets. A 92-point Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast, a 93-point score from Europe’s top critic, Decanter, and taking the cake — a rave 93-point review from Wine Spectator. The latter went back at the end of the year and decided that the wine was in fact good enough to be #21 on their list of best wines out of over 20,000(!) and the #1 rated New Zealand Sauv Blanc of the year.

The 2023 Babich Sauv Blanc Marlborough Black Label is fresh and supple, with white flower notes to complement fresh apricot, key lime, grapefruit zest, lemongrass, and citrus flavors. It’s the depth and energy that I can rarely find outside of the best hills in Sancerre, all braced by a mineral zip that ties it all together to perfection. Just like its predecessor, it comes with some big-time scores including a 92-point review from the world’s stingiest publication, Wine Spectator.