06 Cameron Hughes, Lot 26 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Cameron Hughes is quickly becoming one of the world's leading negociants. He seems to respect terroir, or at least understand that--even if the wines are packed in Frisco Bay--they are born and bred elsewhere. This 12.8% bottling is a humble archetype of New Zealand's best varietal. It's sharp and acidic, sizzling on the tongue. The grapefruit and gooseberry flavors are perfect, classically pungent and uric on the nose, and never muddled. Yet the finish develops somehow, slowly ripening in the mouth to a mild taste of guava, papaya, green mango, pineapple, and green grape before finishing with the cleanness of Glacier Freeze Gatorade Blast or Electric Lemonade.