Around the world, Sauvignon Blanc is an expressive varietal
By Kim Marcus

The reach of Sauvignon Blanc extends well beyond the Loire Valley, California and New Zealand. Sauvignon is grown in nearly all major vineyard regions in a variety of styles, making it one of the true international grape varieties, along with Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon....

In recent Wine Spectator tastings, the wines of South Africa, Washington state and Chile have been the most consistent in terms of overall quality and value....

South Africa has come on particularly strong with finely crafted Sauvignon, which has been planted in its vineyards since the 19th century. South African wines have many distinctive flavors, and its Sauvignons are no exception. Neil Ellis' Groenkloof Sauvignon is as intense and grassy-tasting as many of its Loire counterparts, but it's also full of the crunchy gooseberry flavors of New Zealand...

NEIL ELLIS Sauvignon Blanc Groenkloof 1999
88 points, $14 Delicious and balanced. Dense, rich and vibrant, bursting with peach, melon, grass and stone notes.