The label bears an eye-catching image of a duck hunter - that is, a duck dressed camouflage with a rifle slung over his feathered shoulder. He's the hunter, not the hunted. The image was done by New Zealand artist Joanna Braithwaite. Co-founder Wilson discovered the painting and instantly knew that it would be the ideal face for his wines. Wilson describes the duck in the label art as "the keeper of the estate, protector of the vines and calm champion of the wines." He also points out that no ducks were harmed in the making of the wines.
The grapes for Duck Hunter’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc were grown mainly in Comely Bank Vineyard, down Waihopai Valley Road, in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The winemakers eliminated much of the extreme grassiness that marked New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for years, and gave it a riper, sweeter appeal. Alcohol hits 12.7% abv and I see it selling online for $19.
This is NZ SauvBlanc with the edge taken off of it. The grassy nose is only slight, showing more herbs than cat pee. The sip is remarkably restrained as well, with trademark citrus sharing the stage with melon, cucumber and peach. The wine is not very tart, by SB standards, but it's not sweet, either. It's a Sauvignon Blanc for people who normally shy away from it.
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