Black Barn Unoaked Chardonnay 2014 $22 ★★★★ I have a thing about the word ‘unoaked’. It sort of implies that there’s something ‘un’ about the wine, that something’s missing or been taken away – and that couldn’t be further from the truth here. Packed to the cap with roast peach, pineapple and tangy citrus, winemaker … Read More
2014
Zeppelin ‘Big Bertha’ Barossa Shiraz 2014
Zeppelin ‘Big Bertha’ Barossa Shiraz 2014 $24 ★★★★ Saturated magenta colour and oozing sweet cherry and berry aromas, gentle spices and a palate soaked with fruit, vanilla, pepper and hints of dark chocolate. This is a cracker of a wine that’s smooth, velvety and dangerously easy to drink. For stockists contact Red & White Cellar … Read More
Behave Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Behave Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $42 ★★★★ Classic aromas of baked berries, cherries and earthy, musky notes lead the way to a super-soft, almost creamy palate that’s generous and gentle. There’s a subtle dusting of spice around the edge of some sweet fruit and stretchy tannins. Nice stuff. www.odysseywines.co.nz
Sam Hunt Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2014
Sam Hunt Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2014 $24.95 ★★★ “Winter is a warm hearth…” is a line from Hunt’s poem Rainbows and that’s exactly where I’d imagine you should enjoy this wine; either that, or with juicy, fatty snarlers sizzled and oh-so-slightly charred on the BBQ. Dark magenta-black in the glass and showing pepper, prune, … Read More
Sam Hunt Gisborne Pinot Gris 2014
Sam Hunt Gisborne Pinot Gris 2014 $21.95 ★★★½ Rich nashi pear and spicy apple strudel aromas sit alongside caramelised stonefruit flavours and a creamy, toasty complexity on the finish of this deliciously dry drink. This would be a great match for a smoked chicken and almond salad. www.lacantina.co.nz
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Riesling 2014
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Riesling 2014 $25 ★★★★½ Crunchy green apple, mandarin and lime flavours leap out of the glass in this ultra-tangy riesling. Vibrant, zesty acidity, a twang of lemon in the mid palate and a cleansing, chalky-dry texture on the finish will awaken even the most jaded of tastebuds. Terrific stuff. www.craggyrange.com
Greenhough Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Greenhough Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $28 ★★★★ I love the clean-cut, snappy, summer fragrance of lucerne fields, white pepper and passionfruit and the rush of rich citrus, crushed basil leaves and watercress on the palate. Beautifully balanced and lengthy, it’s a delicious example from sunny Nelson. www.greenhough.co.nz
Selaks Reserve Marlborough/Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Selaks Reserve Marlborough/Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $22 ★★★½ Ruby/black in colour and rocking robust aromas of five-spice, black tea, clove and dark plum this dual-region combo works really well. The palate is sweetly fruited, bright and juicy and extremely easy to drink. Widely available. www.selaks.co.nz
Gibbston Valley Glenlee Pinot Noir 2014
Gibbston Valley Glenlee Pinot Noir 2014 $65 ★★★★¼ Sexy sweet fruit smashes its way out of the glass here. Pretty plum, berry and black cherry flavours merge with soft spices in a rich, generously juicy palate-punch. Very upfront and confident in its youth, it’ll reward another year or four. www.gibbstonvalley.com
Gibbston Valley Le Maitre Pinot Noir 2014
Gibbston Valley Le Maitre Pinot Noir 2014 $85 ★★★★★ This is such a young wine it almost seems like a crime to open it, but I’m a curious puppy and couldn’t help myself. Glossy magenta in the glass and oozing juicy cherry and plum characters, it’s the dusting of dried herb, tea leaf and truffle … Read More