Brancott Estate’s Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc is the result of their desire to make a high-end Sauvignon. I’ve been following this since its inception. Back in 2009, then chief winemaker with Montana (which is now Brancott) Jeff Clarke came to London to present a tasting of high-end Sauvignons from around the world, and to tell us about the icon project that was underway. Then, in 2013, the first Chosen Rows wine was released. It was the 2010 vintage, and finally Brancott had produced something they felt captured their intentions. I was impressed by this first release.
So it was nice to try the new release: 2013. Alongside the 2010. I’m excited by these wines, because they are proper high-end Sauvignon without any gimmicks, and they will age beautifully, I suspect.
Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough, New Zealand
14.5% alcohol. Quite rich and intense, in a Cotat-like style, with powerful ripe pear and apple flavours. Concentrated and textural, but with good acidity. There are some subtle herbal characters. Primary, vivid and intense with a citrus/mineral edge to the fruit. Lively, with potential to age really nicely. 93/100
Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough, New Zealand
14% alcohol. Powerful and intense with mineral, chalky citrus and pear fruit with a hint of spice. Still quite youthful and grippy with lovely fruit focus and real presence. Warm and rounded with a fine spiciness and an almost sake-like quality. Some crystalline fruits. Big potential here. 93/100
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
2 Comments on Brancott Estate Chosen Rows 2013, and a recap on the 2010
Checked out Wine Searcher on these as you suggest; £40 a bottle! Jeez, hope they’d be 93/100 for a Savvy at that price!!
In NZ this wine looks a hard sell considering all the wines around it. I would question how much of this story and journey really resonates with the end user. The 2010 wine did interest while providing a more structural and textural Sauvignon Blanc but it seemed restrained by the end consideration…price. Have seen a whole lot of media noise with these but very little consumer glow. Recently enjoyed a Smith Haut Lafitte and was taken by it’s length and vinosity. More expensive but a heightened thrill.