Today in 1953 Elizabeth II was crowned Queen. I bet her wine cellar is an absolute triumph after 65 years…
Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay 2017 $29.99
The chief of chardonnay, the Maharishi of Mendoza and the boss of white Burgundy, Tony Bish, has crafted a supremely elegant, creamy, citrus-edged wine that, in the words of my teenage daughter, is so good I can’t even deal. Matured in barrels made from the heartwood of French oak species Quercus Robur (big up’s botany geeks), expect cashew, peach, grapefruit and mandarin flavours to merge with buttered crumpet characters and racy acidity, before a beautifully balanced finish.
Sip with: macaroni cheese with bacon lardons.
www.caros.co.nz
Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016 $39.99
Winemaker Paul Pujol has created an absolutely stunning pinot gris from fruit grown in their ‘schist-happens’ Rocky Point vineyard and the clay and chalk soils of their Home vineyard in Bendigo. Fermented using wild, indigenous yeasts and matured on its yeast lees, it has incredible freshness and purity, yet has a deep, smouldering complexity on the finish. Nashi, quince, Golden Delicious apples and hints of strudel spice make this glorious to gulp.
Sip with: parsnip and apple soup.
www.prophetsrock.co.nz
Te Motu Onetangi Valley Waiheke Island 2012 $99
Dominated by cabernet sauvignon and fleshed out with merlot and cabernet franc, all grown on ancient soils in the heart of Waiheke’s Onetangi Valley, this elegantly savoury blend has six years of being a sleeping beauty and now it’s ready to roar. Cherry, prune and blueberry characters are cloaked in leather, cedary oak, smoky notes and suede-like tannins. Beautifully balanced, stylish and saturated with flavour.
Sip with: steak and Moroccan mushrooms.
www.glengarrywines.co.nz
