Riverby Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Semillon 2011 $26 An injection of 35% semillon, with its hay fields and herb notes, adds depth and complexity to snappy, citrus-driven sauvignon blanc. This is the debut effort for this style from Riverby, and 8 months in new french oak has led to a lovely amalgamation of white peach, lemongrass, … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Sherwood Estate No.8 Wire Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Sherwood Estate No.8 Wire Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $24 There’s a lot of sauvignon blanc planted in the North Canterbury region of Waipara, but it’s good to see some producers testing the boundaries of what it’s capable of, rather than staying in the safe old stainless steel camp. Fermented with wild yeasts in old french … Read More
Selaks Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011
Selaks Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 $21 The latest edition to the Reserve, or Black Label range from Selaks, and it’s a pleasant drop especially for those new to pinot. Red cherry, rhubarb and upfront spicy notes on the nose are followed by very soft, almost subdued fruit and earth characters on the palate. … Read More
Locharburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
Locharburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011 $26 This just hits Central Otago Pinot Gris on the button. Fresh pear and peach notes are edged with a creamy, almondy complexity, wet stone minerality and a burst of cleansing sweetness on the finish. A lovely example from this tiny, Cromwell-based producer. www.locharburnwines.co.nz
Bilancia Hawke’s Bay Reserve Pinot Gris 2008
Bilancia Hawke’s Bay Reserve Pinot Gris 2008 $34 Peach crumble, frangipane, tasty grilled pear and all sorts of good stuff on the nose lead the way to a deliciously rich, stone-fruit packed palate edged with spice and a hint of sweetness which is countered by clean, vibrant acidity. The alcohol is up there (14.5%) but … Read More
Pukeora Estate Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2010
Pukeora Estate Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2010 $15 Clean and minerally, with classic pear and quince characters on the nose and palate. I really like the texture and length in this gris, it’s juicy and buoyant in the mouth, and represents what I think is great value for money. www.pukeora.com
Bouldevines Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
Bouldevines Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010 $29 Created from fruit grown on their stony, Dog Point Road vineyard, this is a wine that is super easy to drink. Plum, baking spices, hints of red cherry and rhubarb all show through and the tannins are very soft, almost in the background. A pleasant, drink-now pinot. www.bouldevines.co.nz
Tatty Bogler Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
Tatty Bogler by Forrest Estate Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011 $25 Wow! Prepare for a burst of juicy white peach, nashi pear and coconut ice confection on the nose and an absolutely gorgeous splash of sweetness, clean, refreshing acidity and rich, mouthcoating magic on the palate. This is a superb example of the heights pinot … Read More
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2011
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2011 $30 I love the crushed seashell-like minerality which carries the classic white peach, nashi pear and quince characters across the palate. It’s a clean, juicy wine with a hint of japonica on the finish which lingers with a tasty, tangy texture. www.neudorf.co.nz
Waimea Nelson Pinot Gris 2011
Waimea Nelson Pinot Gris 2011 $19 Hallmark apple and pear characters on both the nose and palate makes this a reasonably pleasant pinot gris, however a hint of extra warmth sneaking through on the finish tends to dull the fruit.