Whitehaven, Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2023 ($20)

Many American consumers would look askance at a Southern Hemisphere white wine from 2023, but they should know that many Marlborough winemakers believe their wines are better as they approach two years after the fruit is off the vine. It remains absolutely fresh and refreshing, yet the push-pull of ripe fruit and acidity has calmed down at this point, making for a more integrated experience. It shows nice herbal aromas but no pungent grassiness, and there’s no overly tart acidity in the finish.
93 Michael Franz