3 Cheap savvies and a 3 day, er Viognier

Apologies for the butchered song title, but it just crept in when I said ‘3 cheap Savvies’ out loud. These wines are all under $20 and quite different in their style – hardly benchmarks, but an interesting operation all the same.

Yalumba Mawsons Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (South Australia)
$13, Screwcap

Water green colour, citrus, cut grass & a little tropical fruit. The palate is very light, water light & very fresh, in a citrussy, just tropical & grapefruity, the acidity soft and well integrated. For an under $15 Savvy, this ticks alot of boxes – fresh, citrussy, well made and when served ice cold, quite enjoyable. Great value simple wine. 16.5

Wild Rock Infamous Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Marlborough, NZ)
$17, Screwcap

The 07 vintage of this was really quite good – textural, light and well balanced. The 08 is built in a similar mould.
Water green colour, with a light yellow tint. The nose here is tinned asparagus and a touch of guava in a somewhat confronting mould, the palate similarly quite overtly grassy, if slightly weedy with some soapy textural elements in there too. Its not a bad wine, but it just feels strained and thin. I definitely prefer the 07. 16.6

3 Tales Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Marlborough, NZ)
$18, Screwcap

Snappy packaging from this De Bortoli joint operation. The nose shows intense grassy, herbal fruit, the palate is defined and quite long with citrus, grass and a herbal zing to the back palate. Grown up, well made Sauvignon Blanc at a very fair price. Good stuff 17.5

This felt like a big step up after the Wild Rock. Quite enjoyable.

Blue Pyrenees Viognier 2006 (Pyrenees, Vic)
$18, Screwcap

A bright, light straw yellow colour. Sulphur, then some butter coated Apricot & barley sugars on the quite obvious nose. The palate is lean, oak dominated, apricotty and tails off pretty quickly finishing with slightly harsh oak tannins. Disappointing. 15.8