The seductive 2006 Francis Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is more tropical in style with hints of mango and pineapple, the palate very well poised with orange zest and mandarin on the oily finish. Respected winemaker Brian Bicknell established Mahi (meaning “our work, our craft”) in 2001 having made wine at Errazuriz in Chile and then undertaking much consultancy work in Marlborough in the late 1990’s, including Seresin amongst others. He first acquired the 1.5 hectares Byrne vineyard containing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, his approach to make a natural, “hands-off” style of wine and in 2003 he began sourcing fruit from the Twins Vineyard in the Wairau Valley planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. But it was not until he resigned his consultancy commitments in 2006 that he could devote himself fully to Mahi. These are exciting wines crafted by a man with great experience.Importer: Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533-9463; fax (215) 533-8163