If you're familiar with Sauvignon Blanc, it's easy to conjure up the powerful tropical fruit aromas and pungent green herb taste of Marlborough in the glass but tasting through the newest releases this year has been an exercise in finding wow-factor wines. 

The following are my best of the bunch of new Sauvignon Blancs - to date. 

The reasons why are these wines stand out from the crowd are many; winemaker experience is a big one, along with vine age, judicious use of lees-ageing to add built complexity and weight into the bright freshness, moving wines away from light body aromatic wonders to impressively complex dry whites. Careful use of oak also adds depth to some of this 'best of' bunch but on the whole, these wines are thoughtful expressions of place. Their makers allow the fruit to shine, along with savoury elements to add a food-friendly note to all that fresh, citrusy, mouthwatering acidity. 

18.5+/20
2025 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc RRP $28
A standout expression of Marlborough, showcasing Astrolabe’s precision and flair. Lifted aromas of passionfruit, ripe mango and ripe lemon set the pace, driving a vibrant, refreshing palate that hums with energy. The finish is long, pure and beautifully sustained. Astrolabe Wines.

18.5/20
2025 Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc RRP $32
Made by winemakers Matt Thomson and Master of Wine Sophie Parker‑Thomson, this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc captures the fresh, bright character of new‑wave Marlborough with its smooth, lees influence building body and complex savoury notes to flatter the fruit aromas. Blankcanvas.com 

18.5/20
2024 Clos Henri Otira Glacial Stones SV Sauvignon Blanc RRP $39
My pick of Clos Henri's carefully considered duo of single vineyard Sauvignon Blancs from the winery's organically certified site where vines are rooted in ancient glacial stones that lend tension and purity to this fragrant, full bodied wine. This wine is framed by a full bodied style that shows the depth of possibilities available to thoughtful winemakers. Clos Henri.

18.5/20
2025 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc RRP $39
Cloudy Bay's 2025 Sauvignon Blanc leads with vibrant citrus and ripe nectarine aromas, crisp acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Director of Winemaking Nikolai St George describes the vintage as shaped by patience and balance, producing a wine that feels elegant, pure and deeply expressive of place. Cloudy Bay.

18.5/20
2021 Dog Point Section 94 RRP $60
A masterclass in alternative Sauvignon Blanc — reductive notes open into a firm, fleshy, medium‑bodied wine with superb acid drive. Textural, layered and fruit forward with aromatic layers of fresh herbs, hints of tropical fruit notes and more. Dog Point Vineyards. 

18.5/20
2025 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc RRP $28.50
Fresh, dry and aromatic, this Sauvignon Blanc shows green herb notes, citrus brightness and a deliciously fleshy mid‑palate weight; a wine that balances purity and texture with confidence. Greywacke Wines.

18.5/20
2023 Loveblock Marlborough Tee Sauvignon Blanc RRP $28
A thoughtful, boundary‑pushing expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Loveblock, made from a small parcel of certified‑organic vines in the Lower Dashwood sub-region of Awatere Valley in Marlborough. Alluvial soils and regenerative farming practices contribute to purity and textural finesse with green tea tannin extract replacing traditional sulphur additions, protecting the wine naturally while adding structural depth of flavour. The result is soft, smooth and quietly intriguing, offering aromas of mandarin zest, yellow peach and a medium body. A distinctive interpretation of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Loveblock.

18/20
2025 Main Divide Sauvignon Blanc RRP $21.99
A wine that takes centre stage in both taste and value – Main Divide, evocatively named after the dividing range of majestic mountains in the South Island – is brimming with ripe passionfruit and a twist of mango, a light body and brisk acidity. Every sip stretches to a long finish across the palate. Main Divide by Pegasus Bay.

18.5/20
2025 Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Blanc RRP $28
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Blanc is one of New Zealand’s most consistently outstanding producers and this youthful North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc has layers of bold ripe tropical fruit and a beautifully composed zesty core of acidity that drives each sip to a long finish. Pegasus Bay Wines. 

18.5+/20
2025 Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Reserve RRP $36
A consistently outstanding style of Sauvignon Blanc from one of Marlborough’s most experienced producers, Wairau Reserve delivers intensity, precision and a purity of fruit, showcasing Saint Clair’s mastery of the region. Saint Clair.

Image of winemaking team Kevin and Kimberley Judd, whose son, Alex, also works in the winery today.