Today I’ve had my say in our fair nation’s leadership, whereas these candidates have won the vote for wickedly good weekend wines…
Kidnapper Cliffs Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $54
Richard Painter is the winemaker responsible for this mind-numbingly gorgeous chardonnay. The first sip made me want to get all Spinal Tap on it and turn my rating up to 11 out of 10. Vibrant and golden in the glass, with ripe, sexy grapefruit, peach and pineapple notes, it also possesses gunflint and quartzy, minerally magic interwoven with creamy, macadamia layers. With Ballerina-like balance, it’s poised, succulent and so good I didn’t want the glass to end. Hail King Richard!
Sip with: Who cares? This wine will be the hero on the table.
Ka Tahi Rescue Rosé 2017 $17
Produced by the team at Ka Tahi to help raise funds for the Lowe Corporation Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust, every sip of this 86:14 blend of merlot and pinot noir has feel-good factor. Dry and snappy and saturated with boysenberry, cherry and red fruits, a squeak of pepper adds complexity to the finish. An awesome summer sip.
Sip with: Whole roast snapper with lime and tamarind.
Email: 14vanpai@ths.school.nz to order.
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016 $24
Crafted from fruit sourced from Rockburn’s ‘Parkburn’ and ‘Gibbston Valley Back Road’ vineyards, I love the subtle splash of white pepper, nashi pear, fennel and white peach on both the nose and palate of this wine. Dry, clean and boasting underlying creamy, chalky textures and real fruit fullness, this beautifully balanced gris is long and luscious on the finish and beautifully balanced.
Sip with: Vietnamese coconut-poached chicken.
www.glengarrywines.co.nz
