O:TU Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $24.99 Five years sleeping quietly in the bottle has awakened seriously sexy complexity in this sauvignon. Yellow diamond in the glass and erupting with smoky, dried herb notes, white pepper, lemongrass, marzipan and lime curd characters, it’s a generously proportioned sauvignon that has extensive length of flavour. Sauvignon Blanc … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Johner Estate Sur Lie Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Johner Estate Sur Lie Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $24 Extended time on its lees has given this wine lovely, creamy complexity that cuddles the crisp citrus and floral elements of this sauvignon. It’s an interesting style with some lovely peach and passionfruit pluckiness on the finish. www.johner-estate.com
Misha’s Vineyard The Starlet Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Misha’s Vineyard The Starlet Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $27 Lifted herbaceous notes on the nose, lemongrass, white pepper and lime all lead to a sweetly proportioned palate. Ripe tropical notes give way to intense minerality in the mouth. Made by Olly Masters, this is a unique style of southern sauvignon. www.mishasvineyard.com
Clark Estate Clericus Wild Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Clark Estate Clericus Wild Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 Classic barrel fermented, wild-fermented style here, stacked with smoked passionfruit, bruised basil, toasty marzipan notes, soft pepper and lemongrass layers. Named for the most noble and intellectuals in Roman society, this is definitely the thinking persons’ sauvignon. www.clarkestate.com
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $21 Lemon, lime notes on the nose and palate, they’re edged with seashell minerality and expect some marzipan and toasty notes from the 85% barrel fermentation as well. It could do with more generosity and freshness in the mid palate however. www.ashridgewines.co.nz
Ashwell Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Ashwell Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $20 Bright and bursting with citrus and nectarine notes in every sip. Add to that elderflower, lemon blossom and a lick of lemongrass and you get extra deliciousness on the nose and palate. This little bit of Martinborough magic is intensely fresh on the palate, with zesty acidity, good astringency, … Read More
Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $14.99 Gorgeous aromas of bruised basil, peach and passionfruit, intensely tropical on the nose and erupts with sweet, tangy citrus on the palate, generously proportioned and juicy to drink. Lovely sauvignon and excellent value. www.summerhouse.co.nz www.winecentral.co.nz
Cliff Edge Awhitu Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012
Cliff Edge Awhitu Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012 $45 Only about half a dozen barrels are produced of this classic Bordeaux blend (70% merlot, 30% cabernet franc) from the Awhitu peninsula in Auckland. I’m not a huge fan of brettanomyces in my wine but there’s just enough in here to be complexing. Grown in the clay soils of … Read More
Sherwood Estate ‘Sherwood’ Waipara Valley Pinot Gris
Sherwood Estate ‘Sherwood’ Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2017 $16.99 This wine is a little out of balance so it’s not the easiest of wines to drink. Aromas of honey, baked pear are initially positive, yet there’s a slightly sour note on the palate which throws things slightly. There are better wines in the Sherwood stable.
Melton Estate Canterbury Pinot Gris
Melton Estate Canterbury Pinot Gris 2015 $20 Located in the leafy climes of West Melton, 20 mins or so drive west of Christchurch city, this pinot gris has a hint of botrytis character happening, honeyed notes, beeswax and some roast stonefruit showing through. Doesn’t really show the classic nashi, pear, quince and apple characters that … Read More