Trademark Issues…
The other day I tasted a wine that made me rock back in my seat, punch my fists in the air and yell YUSS!!! It was a chardonnay crafted by Rod McDonald, brand new. It’s called ‘Trademark’ and as soon as I had my first sip, I wanted to protect it. I think I even hid the bottle from my chardonnay fiend of a husband, because for the first time in a very long time, here was a wine so good I did not want to share. Some of you may suck the air in through your teeth at $59.99 per bottle, but I’m convinced it’s worth every cent. With cinnamon-buttered toast and roast peach on the nose followed by ultra fresh, tangy stonefruit, grapefruit and tangelo cloaked in smoky, bacony oak and toasted cashew characters on the palate, it’s an intensely flavoursome wine. Yet it has poise, finesse and a beautifully balanced finish. If I could give it six stars out of five I would.
It was only a decade ago that Rod was being awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, at a time when he was ridiculously busy, consulting and making wine for a clutch of interesting wineries around the country. There’s a big difference walking into someone else’s business and taking the winemaking reins with established vineyards and marketing muscle. “What’s been the reality 10 years on since we started Rod McDonald Wines, is really understanding how much effort that takes and the many things that need to line up, like having access to great grapes, the right staff, coming up with your own brand and building a market for it”. I asked him what he loved most about making his own wine after so many years of being a winemaker for other people. “It’s got to be the ability to leave more personality in the wines, being bold and doing what we want to do” he said “I love that freedom”.
Tuatara Tiramisu Oatmeal Stout 500ml 7% $9.99
Just when you thought you’d rustled up enough discipline to sprint through winter without being distracted by any more delicious craft beer, Tuatara go and release their most ridiculously indulgent brew EVER. The Tiramisu 500ml 7% $9.99 is an evil genius blend of creamy oatmeal stout infused with Mojo Coffee’s La Jacoba beans, Wellington Chocolate Factory Dominican Republic Cacao nibs and Heilala Bourbon vanilla. Lordy!
Whitehaven ‘Greg’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $26.99 ★★★★
You don’t just scoop a gold medal at the Sydney Top 100 Wine Competition for no reason. You’ve got to me a wine with serious chops. Created in tribute to Whitehaven’s founder Greg White, this has all the classic Awatere Valley notes of soft summer flowers, tangy passionfruit, crushed nettles and elderflower. Crisp, crunchy and delicious with lemon & herb infused mussel fritters. www.whitehaven.co.nz
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Omaka Springs Estate ‘Vixen’ Marlborough Syrah 2013 $40 ★★★★
Ian Marchant is the winemaker responsible for shepherding this sensational syrah into the bottle from its home in Marlborough’s southern valleys. With its deeply sexy, magenta-purple hue, aromas of vanilla, violets, damson plum and dusty leather followed by a succulent, meaty, yet fresh and vibrantly fruity mouthfeel. Named after OSE’s owner Geoff Jensen’s ‘Sea Vixen’ plane, this syrah has lovely length, poise and personality. Pour it for your friends when you’re serving beef short rib braised in red wine and herbs – then watch the wonder on their faces. www.omaka.co.nz
Kalex Single Vineyard Pisa Terrace Riesling 2014 $32 ★★★★
This snappy-dry wine has a lovely, briny, oyster shell aroma that merges with beeswax, pure white peach and baked apple characters. The acidity is bracing, slicing, and really accentuates the intense citrus and honeysuckle flavours. The texture on the finish is powdery and lingers long after that first sip. www.kalexwines.com
Sacred Hill Orange Label Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 $19 ★★★½
It might be fresh off the block but as far as rockin good red blends go, clearly 2015’s got talent! Already this wine is super-sippable, with smoke, spice and dark fruits on the nose which lead to a full-bodied, chocolate, plum and peppery palate. One more year in the bottle will do wonders for this wine, but it’s already drinking nicely indeed. If you’re a lamb and rosemary sausage I’d be very afraid. Widely available.
