Seifried Nelson Syrah 2014 $22 ★★★½ Bright peppery aromatics, fresh plum and hints of dark cherry merge with a faint medicinal hit on the nose. Punchy and vibrantly structured in the mouth, it’s a talented teenager ready to hit his straps. Spicy, lively and could actually give some of the Hawke’s Bay syrah’s a run for … Read More
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Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Riesling 2014
Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Riesling 2014 $30 ★★★★ Arriving in a slimline, classic germanic blue-green bottle, this ultra-pure, intense lime and crabapple-scented riesling has a steely dry, lip smacking texture and a finely-tuned, length finish. Just the faintest seam of honeysuckle adds complexity and juiciness. Great drinking now but give it another 2-3 years … Read More
Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mahana Clays and Gravels Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $25 ★★★★ Previously known as ‘Woollaston Estate’, this is sauvignon blanc made ‘off road’ in that it’s about as far removed from the clean, green, crispy-clean style that New Zealand is famous for. Ripe fruit was fermented on its skins (to extract chew and astringency for texture), … Read More
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Noir 2013
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Noir 2013 $30 ★★★★ The instant I stuck my nose inside the glass, I was met with a whoomph of cherry-chocolate, smoked coconut, dried herb and peppery plushness. It’s been sixteen years since Julie and Alistair Ashcroft purchased their 4.5 hectare block overlooking Tasman Bay and twelve years since the vines … Read More
Richmond Plains Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Richmond Plains Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $21 ★★★★ Fact: Richmond Plains produced New Zealand’s first sauvignon blanc from fully-certified organic and biodynamic grapes years ago, and they’re still doing excellent work. Floral and forward, it’s stacked with peach and passionfruit, tangy citrus and even a squeak of feijoa makes it in there. It’s a sauvignon … Read More
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $20 ★★★½ Gary and Valley Neale know a thing or three about growing tasty, aromatic white wines in sunny Nelson. This sauvignon is saturated with ripe limes, passionfruit, peach and tangy red capsicum flavours and a (classic for Nelson) round, fleshy, ultra-easy mouthfeel. It’s ultra-friendly, approachable and darn easy … Read More
Waimea Nelson Albariño 2015
Waimea Nelson Albariño 2015 $25 ★★★★★ Albariño is a signature Spanish white variety that clearly loves its new home in Nelson by the looks of things. The team at Waimea have seriously outdone themselves here with this musk and nectarine scented wine, bursting with tangy pear, peach and apple flavours and finishing with lovely crushed … Read More
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Pinot Gris 2014 $30 ★★★★½ So if you’ve never entertained the thought of spending $30 on a bottle of pinot gris then it’s probably about time you started saving some coin because there’s a huge leap in complexity to be gained when you upgrade. I love the luscious lychee, quince, baking … Read More
Waimea Estate Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2015
Waimea Estate Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2015 $23 ★★★★ Grüner Veltliner (groon-er velt-leener) is to Austria what sauvignon blanc is to us – but I tell you what, this snappy white wine is absolutely loving our kiwi, cool-climate environment and settling in quite nicely, Nelson being no exception. This example has light peach, crushed shells, summer … Read More
Spinyback Nelson Chardonnay 2014
Spinyback Nelson Chardonnay 2014 $17 ★★★½ Made by the team at Waimea Estates, this is a tangy, tropical, fruit salad style of chardonnay that I know loads of people will love because it doesn’t have that toasty, oaky flavour. Lighter peachiness, with a splash of pineapple and mango, means it’s an easy, fresh and lively … Read More