De Martino 347 Vineyards Sauv Blanc

A very ripe-fruited Sauvignon Blanc proving perhaps once and for all that the world Sauvignon heavyweight titel fight does not mean France versus New Zealand. Chile, along with Argentina, South Africa and Australia are all submitting strong contenders nowadays. I would assert De Martino's lavishly produced blend is one of the former's finer trainees.

De Martino sets a brave stall out in up-selling the virtues of blending vines from across two of the major Chilean valleys, both north (I think) of Santiago: Maipo (where the bulk of the grape comes from) and the world-famous Casablanca Valley.

All this choice allows them to pick a taste that is consistent, memorable and - hopefully - runs the leaders close.

I'd say it is certainly memorable enough, with a floral spring hedgerow on the nose and some excellent fruit to taste. There is also a more restrained evidence of the signature steeliness of a classic Loire Sauvignon, well emulated by the Kiwis.

That this is achieved by a complex blending effort on the part of the manufacturer is not to the purists' liking, and will mean that there will be some question-mark over annual vintage consistency perhaps. Regardless, this example (2008) is a great one. Try it... it will change your perspective on who the real contenders are these days.