Why Buy: Kim Crawford built his vast reputation on his exacting eye to detail in the vineyards and a fierce commitment to sustainability, and Loveblock – his latest venture, with wife and winemaking partner Erica, a celebration of love and the finer things in it – is Marlborough at its most refined and most rewarding. We fell hard for these three from their portfolio, including two 94-pointers (one made entirely with green tea instead of added sulphites!) and a 93-pointer. All the classic Crawford hallmarks are here: gorgeous aromatics, clear delineation, excellent poise, and sneaky depth. Also: the superb Crawford value – the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are just under $30 a bottle, the Pinot Noir slightly over.

What They're Saying: "Bravo!" wrote Somm Journal, in its 94-point paean to the 2022 Tee Sauvignon Blanc, extolling its "fresh and harmonious" profile, "arrestingly succulent palate," "racy acidity," and "salty minerality." The publication was equally enamored of the 2022 Pinot Gris, writing, in a 94-point rave, "This wine's brilliance lies in its freshness," and singling out its "crystalline minerality" and "ever-present saltiness that keeps the palate salivating." Somm Journal gave love, too, to the 93-point 2021 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, praising its "long, lingering aromas," its "bold and savory" palate, and "cinnamon-mocha finish."

The Stories: 

• The origin story of TEE is nearly as good as the wine itself: Crawford and Co. have substituted green tea, a registered wine additive, for sulphur at every stage of the winemaking process (harvest, crush, float, racking after ferment, filtration, and bottling) to protect the wine from oxidation. To achieve organic certification, Loveblock is required to ensure that sulphur levels remain below 100 parts-per-million. TEE more than complies; it has no added sulphites at all, none.
• The Pinot Gris is sourced from family-owned, estate grown, and sustainable vineyards in Marlborough. "Organic" is a word that has lost most of its meaning in the food world, but in wine you can count on more developed aromas, flavors and textures, and, in general, better balance. Crawford has opted for a dry style of Pinot Gris, and intentionally aged this for a year-and-a-half before releasing it to the public. The extra-aging has given the wine an unexpected depth and richness, and a creamier texture.
• Fruit for the Pinot Noir was sourced from a small vineyard nestled in the snow-capped mountains of Central Otago. Dubbed "Somebody's Darling," in honor of an ancient legend that a young man may have been buried there, it is known for its diurnal fluctuations and schist soil – ideal for producing intense and layered wines. The fruit was pumped straight to the tank without crushing, in order to leave some whole berries. Next came fermentation with wild yeasts, followed by full malolactic fermentation in tank. And then Crawford aged it for 8 months.

Our Tasting Notes:

• The TEE opens with lifted aromas of mandarin zest, quince, yellow peach, sweet basil, gooseberry, and white pepper, and we loved the wet stone minerality and herbal notes that asserted themselves from the jump. The palate is elegant and layered, and what struck us, above all, was the definition here – this is a clean, crisp, controlled performance, and one you'll return to, again and again.
• Aromatics are a calling card, as well, of the Pinot Gris, which impressed us at our first nosings of the glass, with elegant aromas of cantaloupe segueing into wafts of chamomile and citrus. The palate has unexpected depth and complexity. We were put in mind of beautiful prosciutto-wrapped melon and Asian pear, and marveled at the rich and lingering texture. The finish brings a refreshing wet stone minerality.
• The Pinot Noir won us over immediately with its rich, ripe aromas, as, one by one, black cherry, mushroom, and spice announced themselves and receded and returned again. This is a fleshy Pinot, and also a savory one, and we loved the hints of violet and plum in the mix, and, at the faint edges, a whisper of cigar.

ABV: All three wines are 13%.

What to Pair Them With: For the TEE, think fried foods of any kind, roast chicken, ripe, rich cheeses, and such Vietnamese standard-bearers as bun and banh xeo. Those same dishes will also make nimble dance partners for the Pinot Gris, and you can find magical alignment, too, with shrimp and seafood preparations and many salads. The Pinot is excellent with salmon, tarragon roast turkey, and rack of lamb.

Fun Fact: Loveblock’s use of green tea to protect the wine against oxidation is believed to be a first in winemaking.

Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!