Santa Carolina 'Carolina' Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

A medium-bodied white with aromas of pear, cooked lemon and asparagus. Tangy acidity with ripe green fruit on the finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

By its taste, this sauvignon appears to be from New Zealand. By its price, it has to be from Chile. Lucky for you, both statements are mostly true. Look for a fresh nose of grapefruit, canned jalapeno, passion fruit, bitter green melon, and mineral notes that spill across the palate. You can not ask for more at this price, and you can serve it with a variety of foods from seafood and sushi to chicken and vegetarian dishes. It is a ridiculous value. (Anthony Gismondi).

Vague grapefruit, lemon and passion fruit scents get pushed aside by more dominant vegetal aromas of canned peas and beans. This feels plump but undefined, while pyrazine-led flavors of canned veggies are backed by a short finish. Michael Schachner

Lemon zest, white peaches and a whiff of green leaves. Tart green fruit and nectarines on the palate, driven by a bright streak of acidity. Fresh, simple and easy. Drink now. Screw cap.

Simple and juicy, with delicious acidity in an herbal-style wine that’s refreshing above all else. And with fine texture marked by that acidity, but also floral and fruity notes. This is perfect for summertime, for serving well chilled before dinner.

Punchy aromas of grapefruit and jalapeño form the greeting on this lean but refreshing wine. A straightforward palate offers zesty acidity, while flavors of white pepper, sea salt, grapefruit and lime lead straight through the finish.

Spunky aromas of grapefruit and lime are typical for Leyda SB. A fairly full palate feels a bit oily, while this is briny and mildly salty tasting, with lime as the core flavor. A steady finish with moderate fullness and bright acidity is solid. Michael Schachner

Bright, fresh and attractive limes and lemons. Peaches, too. The palate has a very fresh and smoothly delivered, modern, fruity feel. Drink now. Screw cap.

If you are a fan of Marlborough sauvignon but not the price this Leyda appellation SB hits all the same notes and more for a lot less. The nose is a lime rind and passion fruit affair that spills across the palate with clean, fresh, grassy, musky, sweet gooseberry flavours with a wisp of asparagus and lemon blossoms. Easy sipping with simple steamed shellfish dishes or serve with fresh goat cheese – a perfect match for spaghetti alle vongole. Super value. (Anthony Gismondi).

Aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, lime and bell pepper are textbook for the region. This feels fresh as a whistle, with pyrazine-led bell pepper, green bean and lime flavors. Additional notes of bell pepper, with hints of white pepper drive the finish on this crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.

Briny citrus and grapefruit aromas are controlled. This feels simple and a bit hollow, while pyrazine-based flavors of grapefruit and green veggies finish bland, with lingering citrus notes.

As usual, the pungent nose reminds of Marlborough sauvignon blanc despite its classy Leyda appellation. The nose is a lime rind and passionfruit affair. The palate is a mirror image of the nose with more grassy, musky, sweet gooseberry flavours mixed with sweet green peas, asparagus and lemon blossom, filtering to a shorter, tight and bright finish. Predictable and consistent. Chill down, drink now. Easy sipping on a warm day or serve with fresh goat cheese. The dinner match is spaghetti alle vongole. Super value. (Anthony Gismondi and Treve Ring).

Assertive passionfruit, melon, smoked stone and pineapple rind. The creamy palate carries the whiff of smoke, alongside asparagus, gooseberry, grass and tart, green tropical fruits. Juicy and bright, ready for your ceviche or goat cheese tart. Good value. (Treve Ring).

Grassy, lightly vegetal aromas of briny gooseberry and asparagus come in front of a citric palate. Flavors of citrus fruits, green bean and asparagus finish crisp but green, with scouring acidity.