I was listening to “Jitterbug” by WHAM! when I first tasted this chardonnay by Callum Linklater and it definitely did make me want to do a happy dance. Bright, shiny and lighter, white-fruited style, chablis-like with a hint of funk and frisk. Nice texture and length. Dry and citrus-driven with a lick of white pepper … Read More
marlborough
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $32 If your tastes in chardonnay lean along the nutty, buttered crumpet and biscuity end of the spectrum, then you’ll be loving this nougat-infused number. It’s stitched together with some solid citrus, so freshness is definitely the underlying factor here – however there’s a lovely complexing, caramelised note … Read More
Churton Marlborough Petit Manseng 2016
Churton Marlborough Petit Manseng 2016 $49 Incredibly rare in New Zealand, Petit Manseng is grown primarily in Jurancon, in the Southwest of France, however the Weaver family are now growing teensy, tiny amounts in their biodynamic vineyard at Churton, in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley. It produces an intensely delicious, greengage plum and toffee-topped wine which bursts … Read More
Music Bay Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $16
Music Bay Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $16 Here’s a crispy, crunchy little quaffer which shows all the hallmarks of good gris, ie. pear, apple, quince and some spice. It’s not a complicated wine, simple and sippable.
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 I’m a huge fan of this style of sauvignon blanc. I love that a ‘paper nautilus’ is only released when the fruit is exceptional (and 2016 was a rip roarer of a vintage) and I love that it’s been fermented in just one, single, old French … Read More
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014v While I’m pretty sure the 2018 is out in the market now, there’s still a fair bit of the 2017 lurking around, so I thought I’d taste it again. While the aromas are quite attractive (think bruised basil, capsicum, passionfruit, peach) – the palate is all a bit meh. There’s … Read More
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 $17.99 No surprises as to why this wine is one of the biggest supermarket favourites in the country. Aromas wise it ticks all the boxes. Pear – yes. Apple – yes. Nashi – yes. Quince – sort of. On the palate there’s upfront sweetness, with a soft, white pepper … Read More
Framingham F-Series Marlborough Montepulciano Rosé 2018
Framingham F-Series Marlborough Montepulciano Rosé 2018 $34.99 It’s great to see rosé from Marlborough being constructed from a variety other than pinot noir, and if anyone’s going to get the best from southern-grown montepulciano, then it’s the folk from Framingham. Perfumed with strawberry, creaming soda, and a hint of peppercorn, it has fleshy, plush textures … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $32.99 So ripe, rumpty and ready for action this pinot noir is just itching to serve with any food that’s got a squeak of spice in it. It’s the intense cherry, clove, cocoa and berry bodaciousness that makes it so food friendly, while its softness and velvety structure makes … Read More
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $36.99 You know how some chardonnay’s look great in the adverts and there’s a lot of marketing guffery and so you buy it. But when it arrives it tastes like the same version of disappointment you get when you buy a dress off instagram, which, when delivered, is actually a sack … Read More