Whitehaven Marlborough Wines is a large winery with a firm focus on Sauvignon Blanc. It was founded by Sue and (the late) Greg White in the 1990s. This week the winery released three new wines this week, including an outstanding sparkling wine made using the same traditional methods as for champagne production. This large Marlborough winery is a member of Méthode Marlborough and Appellation Marlborough Wine, two organisations that uphold both authenticity of place and of production processes in the following (and all) of its wines. 

Here are my reviews of the three new wines. 

18.5/20
Whitehaven the Daughters Pinot Noir Rosé Méthode Traditionelle RRP $49

Whitehaven is a member of Méthode Marlborough, a group of likeminded winemakers whose focus is to produce top quality sparkling wines made using the same traditional methods as their counterparts in Champagne. They use the same grape varieties, in this case solely Pinot Noir, which gives this dry sparkling rosé its pink hue and its aromas of raspberries, red currants and dried strawberries, which are held together here in a vibrantly youthful style of bubbly - newly disgorged, containing 3.7 grams per litre of residual grape sweetness and a long finish. Its best drinking window is now and over the next three years, which will see it soften and evolve into a more toasty style of bubbly. Excellent quality.

17.5/20
2024 Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling RRP $25

Marlborough is best known for white wines and while Riesling is a small string to the region's wine bow, it is a strong one. Concentration and depth of aroma shine in this medium dry, medium bodied style with its candied lime flavours and bold acidity. This wine contains 10.4 grams of residual sugar which flatters its layers of flavour - lime marmalade, ripe grapefruit and lemon zest, all of which align with bright acidity. Drinks well now and can age for up to eight years.

17.5/20
2025 Whitehaven Marlborough Gewurztraminer RRP $32

Aromas of Turkish delight, old fashioned red roses and raspberry marshmallow-like flavours all combine on the nose of this Gewürztraminer. It's a medium sweet style with 19.6 grams residual sugar per litre, which brings weight that is balanced by notes of freshness from Marlborough's cool nights - this gives freshness and acidity to this wine's lingering taste.

Whitehaven Marlborough Wine is a member of Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW), which guarantees that 100% of all grapes used in the wine are grown in the region. This winery also belongs to Méthode Marlborough (MM). 

Learn more and buy Whitehaven www.whitehaven.co.nz