Prestigious Wine Spectator applauds Montana

Media release 12th May 2009

Prestigious Wine Spectator applauds Montana’s Sauvignon Blancs

Four of Montana’s Sauvignon Blancs excelled in the influential American magazine Wine Spectator’s latest tasting of New Zealand wine.

Three of them achieved equal top scores of 92 and were listed as New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs ‘top three’. The 2008 vintages of Montana Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Montana Terroir Series Conders Forest Sauvignon Blanc and Montana Letter Series Brancott ‘B’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc were the top scorers in the category.

Any entry that scores 90 and above in this authoritative publication is recognised as an outstanding wine of superior character and style.

Despite being one of the most affordable wines in the tasting, the original Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 narrowly missed this coveted distinction, scoring 89 and being awarded 'Best Value'.

Montana wines are sold in the United States under the name Brancott. Following the success of the Sauvignon Blanc scores, Brancott South Island Pinot Grigio 2008 scored 87, while the Brancott Letter Series Terraces ‘T’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 achieved 90.

“I think in New Zealand it is easy to take the quality of our wine for granted,” says Montana’s chief winemaker, Jeff Clarke. “This kind of praise from some of the world’s most experienced tasters is a reminder that what we do in this country is really special.”

Wine Spectator is one of the most respected wine magazines in the world. The tastings they carry out are extensive and involve some of the world's most renowned experts. The results are widely used in the US and other wine markets around the world as indicators of quality and desirability.

The Montana range of wines are available at all leading liquor retailers and restaurants - Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $17.95, Montana Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $23.95 , Montana Terroir Series Conders Forest Sauvignon Blanc RRP $23.95 and Montana Letter Series Brancott ‘B’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $35.95.

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