Fairleigh Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008

I grabbed a bottle of Fairleigh Estate Sauvignon Blanc (2008) as part of a sampler case of various Sauvignons from the new world. And of course with this you are always able to directly compare. And of course I'm only talking about the 2008 vintage. But the description that jumped out at me from nowhere upon first (and second) taste of this wine was "anonymous". Slightly surprising for a Marlborough Sauvignon, whose reputation is for big, minerally and fruity-sharp flavours, reminiscent of a great Loire, and perhaps even fuller. However this exercises considerably more restraint and has an understated charm about it. At 13% we'd probably not want too many glasses at a time, but it's more of a gentle night-in sipping wine than a big fruity party animal. This is entirely then a personal taste decision as to whether that understatement is what you want from a Sauvignon. I'd put it as more Touraine than Montana, but it's not bad at all and certainly worth a look.