Kim Crawford, Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2019

 Like many of New Zealand’s current top rung of Sauvignon Blancs, Kim Crawford’s recent releases seem to have a tad less mouth-puckering acidity than they did a few years ago.  While some people may miss those thrills and chills the rest of us probably agree that today’s leading Sauvignon Blancs such as Kim Crawford’s are generally more pleasingly balanced while still showing off plenty of refreshing acidity.  The Marlborough area, New Zealand’s largest wine growing region, is known for flavors calling to mind grapefruit, pineapple, passion fruit and lemon grass, all of which enhance this graceful wine.  Appropriately crisp and lean in texture yet bursting with fruit flavors, this is a wine that should be ideal with white meats (chicken breast, pork), seafood (including shellfish) and many cheeses (Feta, chèvre, and sharp cheddar for example).