Zoetendal Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Elim, South Africa (£9.99 The Real Wine Company)
Very pungent and intense, but just too stark and green for pleasure, with a smoky not to the grassy, slightly armpit-like, green pepper, elderflower and citrus flavours. C+

Harvey Nichols Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Auntsfield), Marlborough, New Zealand (£14.00 Harvey Nichols)
Really tasty wine, with honest gooseberry, rhubarb, plum and citrus flavours with a touch of herbs and a fresh, stony mineral not to rein in the exuberance. S-

Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Darling, South Africa (£9.95 Chiltern Cellars, Whole Foods Market, Gabriel’s Vine, Peckhams, Graham Page Wine Merchants, Continental Wines, Slurp.co.uk, YourFavouriteWines.com)
Quite a stern and upright style, not showy, but the tangy herb-scented lemon flavours and crisp restraint make for one of those wines that you keep coming back to. S-

Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (£19.99 Majestic)
Rich, well-padded style, with the smoky/toasty notes from barrel maturation adding further character to the tinned pear, greengage and ripe red apple flavours, and the touch of Semillon adding to the mouthfeel. Interesting, tasty and still young. S

Seven Springs Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Overberg, South Africa (~£11 Loki Wine, Bijou Bottles, Proteas Wines, Underwood Wines, C. A. Rookes, S.H. Jones, Frasers Budgens (Yarnton), City Beverage Company)
Still perky and sappy, with English fruit flavours (apples, plums, rhubarb), a richer, fleshier note of uncooked cake mix and a minerally finish. S-