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
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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
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $35 Golden and glossy, this wine boasts layers of white peach, tangelo and grapefruit pith aromas which are so enticing it’s quite tricky actually wrenching your nose away so you can actually put it in your mouth! But it’s worth it because this chardonnay has succulent stonefruit and creamy, nutty, … Read More
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Passionfruit sorbet and crushed herbs on the nose merge with a spritzy-sweet burst of lemon and lime in the mouth. Shiney and new it’s a sure-fire sauvignon that’s classic, tangy and long on flavour. A terrific match for fresh seafood, particularly paua fritters drizzled with lemon juice or pan-seared … Read More
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $27 If you’re after bog-standard, simple sauvignon blanc then move along because this wine is something else! Crafted by Simon Waghorn, one of New Zealand’s most experienced sauvignon stylists, the cooler growing temperatures of 2010 are definitely evident in the herbal, nettle, asparagus and brassica-like aromas. In … Read More
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2010
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2009 $22 I love the nose on this wine! Subtle, mineral-like aromas with hints of rose petal, lychee and a burst of candyfloss lead the way to a crisp, clean, refreshing mouthfeel with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t ooze the intense richness of previous vintages, but it has a lovely … Read More
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $22 Gorgeous ripe grapefruit and mandarin aromas combine with solid toasty oak notes and a rich, attractive bacon-like character really rounds out the complexity of this wine. Lovely fresh acidity and juicy length of flavour makes it a superb match with classic roast chicken or seared scallops wrapped in bacon. … Read More
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $15 Finally!! The first batch of sauvignon’s from this years harvest are hitting the shelves and so far the ones I’ve tried are breathtakingly good. Take this one from Villa, it’s all passionfruit sorbet and preserved lemon aromas followed by a burst of fresh lime and green … Read More
Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25 A lip-smackingly lovely sauvignon which oozes fresh passionfruit, lemon verbena, passionfruit, grass clippings and fresh basil aromas and tangy, tropical, old-school ‘Jungle Juice’ flavours which make it a fantastic match with steamed mussels slathered in garlic and parsley cream. For more info visit www.nautilusestate.com
Radio NZ National Wine Recommendations 4th November 2011
Spent a superb couple of days in Marlborough last weekend at the bi-annual Marlborough Wine Weekend celebrations where wine fans like me got the chance to immerse ourselves in very focused, specialised tastings of different styles and wines from various sub-regions in some absolutely spectacular locations. It’s a great way to see how diverse our … Read More