Wine of the week: a brave sauvignon blanc that hits the bullseye

This ultra-rare Kiwi white is a veritable mille-feuille of tanginess, texture and length, says Matthew Jukes.

2019 Fincher & Co., On the Brink Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Fincher & Co., On the Brink Sauvignon Blanc, The Brink Vineyard, Renwick, Marlborough, New Zealand  

£21.99, reduced to £18.99 on a Mix Six deal, majestic.co.uk

This amazing new wine was due to arrive in the Majestic depot on 5 October so it should be on their website next Monday. Look out for it there: it is a tiny parcel and it won’t make it physically into Majestic stores. Made by Kiwi wine supremo Ben Glover and English Master of Wine Liam Steevenson, this collaboration seeks out truly amazing plots of vines and then captures them in limited-edition bottlings. Brave and often bonkers, these wines are somewhat hit and miss on my palate, but when they hit, it is always a bullseye. On the Brink comes from Marlborough’s oldest organic vineyard, planted in 1991. It is made with partial skin contact before being released into older French oak barrels to slumber. With only 1.6 hectares of sauvignon blanc and 0.67 hectares of semillon, this is an ultra-rare wine! 

The layers of seriously impressive citrus and herb fruit are interwoven with discreet smokiness, making this a veritable mille-feuille of tanginess, texture and length. There is an “everyday” white from this duo, too, which is also essential drinking: 2019 Fincher & Co, Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (£11.95, red-white.co.uk) comes from another single site, Dillons Point. Precise and persistent with piercingly dry citrus and cut grass notes, underpinned by seashell saltiness, this wine also shows that these guys mean business.

Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (MatthewJukes.com).

Recommended

What is Rihanna's net worth?
Entrepreneurs

What is Rihanna's net worth?

Rihanna became the youngest self-made billionaire in 2022. Here’s how she made her money.
2 Jun 2023
Best savings accounts – June 2023
Savings

Best savings accounts – June 2023

Interest rates have been creeping up - we look at the best savings accounts on the market right now.
2 Jun 2023
Share tips of the week – 2 June
Investments

Share tips of the week – 2 June

MoneyWeek’s comprehensive guide to the best of this week’s share tips from the rest of the UK's financial pages.
2 Jun 2023
The best one-year fixed savings accounts - June 2023
Savings

The best one-year fixed savings accounts - June 2023

You can now earn 5% on 1 year fixed savings accounts - the best rate seen in 14 years. We have all the latest rates available now.
2 Jun 2023

Most Popular

June’s NS&I Premium Bond prize draw - are you this month’s millionaire?
Savings

June’s NS&I Premium Bond prize draw - are you this month’s millionaire?

Two fortunate NS&I Premium Bond winners are now millionaires. Find out here if you’re one of them.
1 Jun 2023
The best one-year fixed savings accounts - June 2023
Savings

The best one-year fixed savings accounts - June 2023

You can now earn 5% on 1 year fixed savings accounts - the best rate seen in 14 years. We have all the latest rates available now.
2 Jun 2023
The top healthcare funds to buy
Investments

The top healthcare funds to buy

Increasingly rapid progress in drugs and healthcare technology makes these trusts top tips, says Max King.
1 Jun 2023