Great dry riesling should have an immediate flinty, limey, green apple impact on the nose and a tidal wave of crunchy, zesty acidity and lemony citrus elements. Graeme and Gillian Crosbie also produce award winning sauvignon blanc and pinot noir – but it’s this riesling that makes me wring my hands with glee every time … Read More
Columns
Jasci & Marchesani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Biologico 2014 $20 ★★★★
For the last 30 years this estate has been run organically and while this wine is predominantly montepulciano, there could be a sneaky 15% sangiovese in there too. I love how this wine has that sweet, sweaty smell of just-galloped horses, saddle leather and spice. Underneath that initial wave of savoury is some seriously fresh … Read More
Byrne Puketotara Northland Chardonnay 2015 $29 ★★★★
Right about now if you’re a chardonnay fan, you’ll be all about talent-spotting. Who are the ones to watch? Well, Ben Byrne up in the Bay of Islands is definitely a bit of a wunderkind when it comes to crafting chardonnays brimming with buttered crumpet, spicy roast peach and caramelised oak characters. He’s captured the … Read More
Allan Scott Generations Dry Riesling 2015 $26 ★★★★
Brand new off the coat rack is the new ‘Generations’ range for the Allan Scott family – who are employed across all capacities of the company. The thing I love about this riesling is that it’s bony and beautiful – skeletal but sensational shall we say. The ‘Twiggy’ of wines if we stretch this out. … Read More
Scott Base Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $38 ★★★★
Here’s an ultra luscious, cherry-soaked pinot that has instantly appealing rosehip, spice and sweet tea perfume followed by a fresh, tangy kick of redcurrant, plum and prickly-soft tannins. The finish is clean and satisfying and seriously fruity; it’s an outstanding accompaniment to slow-braised Moroccan lamb shanks www.allanscott.com
Wine column week beginning 17 Oct, 2016
Allan Scott’s Central Otago ‘Scott Base’ vineyard is undertaking an important fundraising drive to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s iconic hut at Scott Base, Ross Island. “Expedition South”, coordinated by the Antarctic Heritage Trust, will see three Massey Ferguson’s travel 2012 kilometres acros the country (the same distance covered by Sir Ed and his team when … Read More
Squawking Magpie ‘Pink’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot Rosé 2016 $23 ★★★½
How great is it when producers of some of this country’s biggest, boldest reds decides to tread softly-softly and purpose-build a rosé to see you through the Spring and Summer. Wafts of cherry, raspberry and creaming soda on the nose lead to a burst of banging red fruit, soft herbaceousness and acidity that tingles your … Read More
Graham Beck The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $18 ★★★½
Designed in homage to the super-shy, South African Cape Leopard, one of Africa’s big 5 (but rarely seen) predators. The fruit for this tobacco, berry and cedar-driven cabernet is sourced from vineyard sites in Robertson, Firgrove, and Stellenbosch and in Groenekloof; vineyards that incorporate a Beck property game reserve on the slopes of Rooiberg Mountain. … Read More
Dunstan Road Central Otago Gewurztraminer 2015 $25 ★★★★
What you’re holding in your hand came from just one single row of 184 vines which winemaker Marc Hatfield had crafted into a lovely, lychee, ginger and musky pot pourri-packed gewürztraminer that has masses of natural fruit sweetness and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Peach, persimmon and punchy roast pear flavours make this one of those … Read More
Churton Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27 ★★★★½
Sauvignon blanc from Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley has its own personality, and when it’s given Sam Weaver’s organic, biodynamic treatment at Churton, you can expect something seriously special. Soft basil, lime leaf, sweet pea and elderflower all jostle for attention on the nose, while the palate has an almost creamy, tropical character which comes from the … Read More