Rites of Passage…
Single varietal purity is nice, but this week I want to shake that cage and scream “blend it baby!”
Passage Rock Waiheke Island Matuku 2017 $65
David and Veronika Evans-Gander have combined chardonnay, pinot gris, viognier and sauvignon blanc and hands down, it’s absolutely one of my favourite things. Ever. An absolute tsunami of flavour, grilled grapefruit, apricot stone, passionfruit and musky florals crash across the tastebuds and smash your palate to pieces in a beautiful collision of complexity.
Sip with: fried hapuku with vanilla herb salt.
www.passagerockwines.co.nz
Passage Rock Waiheke Island Sisters 2015 $33
What happens when a talented winemaking team blend 48% syrah, 29% cabernet sauvignon, 6% malbec, 6% cabernet franc, 6% merlot and 4% petit verdot? A whole heap of joy, that’s what. With plum, boysenberry, a lift of chocolate and salted caramel, this wine is beautifully complex and juicy and dusted with pepper, it’s a stylish and sexy fusion of fabulousness.
Sip with: roast venison and pomegranate molasses.
www.passagerockwines.co.nz
Passage Rock Reserve Waiheke Island Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014 $50
This is Passage Rock’s flagship red. Using only the best looking and best behaved berries, the winemaking team have fashioned a deliciously dense and sultry wine, perfumed with bouquet garni herbs, dark cocoa, espresso and smoke. Ribsticking and robust to drink, it has dusty tannins, fresh fruit saturation and marathon-like length of flavour.
Sip with: macadamia crusted lamb racks.
www.passagerockwines.co.nz
