2018 Smith & Sheth Cru Sauvignon Blanc Wairau New Zealand 750 ml

Smith & Sheth’s benchmark Sauvignon Blanc is a wine that’s rewriting the rules for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and we think Master of Wine Steve Smith is surpassing even the extraordinary white wines he crafted at the world-famous Craggy Range. We’re glad to report we’ve secured an allocation of the highly sought-after 2018 CRU Sauvignon Blanc. 

Another gorgeous bottle from the benchmark winery that boasts some of the highest honors ever bestowed on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, the 2018 is just more evidence that the bar is always being raised at Smith & Sheth.

The 2018 is an aromatic and textural tour de force from Smith, and it transports you to a tropical paradise with hints of guava, lemon zest, chamomile, and tarragon. Lively on the palate, it doesn’t rely on heavy fruitiness, instead displaying an impressive nuance and depth reminiscent of the best Loire Valley whites. Pierced by a crushed-limestone minerality, the wine hits a stunning note of racy acidity all the way through the lengthy finish.

The CRU Wairau’s exquisite balance and texture come in large part from Smith’s expert winemaking. In partnering with Texas-born investor Brian Sheth for this Wairau Valley project, he’s continued to show how New Zealand can produce wines—and specifically Sauvignon Blancs—that stand tall against the world’s best.

We’ve trekked through Wairau’s mountain vistas, turning up our collars in the ocean breeze. We’ve emerged from Wairau River swimming holes to whitebait fritters and golden valley sunsets. And we still think that this wine contends for the region’s most beautiful experience.