2009 Merlin's Barrow Sauvignon Blanc Half Case

6 x 2009 Merlin's Barrow Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand's Marlborough region, within the South Island's Wairau Valley, produces some of the planet's most exotically perfumed Sauvignon Blanc. The 2009 Merlin's Barrow is no exception.

On New Zealand's South Island, Sauvignon Blanc shows mouthwatering acidity, but with flavors completely different from those of its counterparts in France's Loire Valley. The Southern Hemisphere's bright sunshine ripens grape flavors while the tiny island's southerly position in the Pacific makes for perennially cold nights, helping to maintain high acidity.

Merlin's Barrow was the original name given to the English town of Marlborough, which was said to be the burial site of the great wizard. Crighton Estate, a family-owned-and-operated winery, has named this Sauvignon Blanc after the wizard as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the magical properties of the fruit from the area.

I have always appreciated the refreshing personality of Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, and the Merlin's Barrow is a stellar example. This crowd-pleasing white is one to keep on hand for impromptu gatherings and for your everyday wine-drinking pleasure.

—Alexis Brock

Alexis Brock started her restaurant career 12 years ago, on the hot and smoky side of the stainless-steel divide, at the legendary New York restaurant, Gramercy Tavern. After moving to the front of house and joining the establishment’s award-winning wine program, Brock went on to hold sommelier positions at L’Atelier in The Ritz-Carlton Central Park South, Alto and The Modern. Brock also spent three years in Melbourne, Australia, as head sommelier at Circa, the Prince. Since returning to America, Brock has made wine at Littorai, in Sonoma, and earned her Diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She is currently a Master of Wine candidate.