Valtier Reserva Tempranillo Bobal 2007 $17.95 ★★★★ Bobal is a Spanish native, which makes up 50% of this deliciously mature, Valencia-grown blend. It’s a smooth, vanilla-dusted red, oozing liquorice, cedar and dark fruit. Superb value. www.lacantina.co.nz
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Beso de Vino Seleccion 2011
Beso de Vino Seleccion 2011 $15.95 ★★★½ ‘Beso de Vino’ translates to “kiss of wine” and this blend of syrah and garnacha is basically the full pash. Sweet mocha, anise, pepper and berries make this a plush, cuddly sip. www.thegoodwine.co.nz
Marqués de Riscal Proximo 2011
Marqués de Riscal Proximo 2011 $21 ★★★½ With flavours reminiscent of dust and dubbin on an old leather boot, with hints of berries in the background, this earthy wine has soft, stretchy tannins and a gentle finish. www.stvincentscave.com
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
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $47 ★★★★ The clay-based, alluvial gravels of Marlborough’s southern valleys provide the fuel for the vines charged with producing this powerhouse pinot. It bursts with black cherry, plum, black tea and smoky spices on the nose, followed by a saucy, fruit-soaked palate and a long, lingering finish. It’s youthful, … Read More
Fuedo Zirtari Nero d’Avola Syrah 2011
Fuedo Zirtari Nero d’Avola Syrah 2011 $20 ★★★½ This is a super-savoury little Italian sipper, loaded with liquorice, pepper and leather notes, meaty, black olive and prune layers and rich, roasting pan juices flavour on the finish. Velvety, smooth and dangerously easy to drink. www.winesale.co.nz
Old North Road Pinot Noir 2013
Old North Road Pinot Noir 2013 $8.99 ★★½ It’s a local brand, from out West Auckland way, but the label doesn’t say where exactly in NZ the fruit has come from, so it’s anyone’s guess. On first sniff there are some baked berry aromas edged with leafy, herbal notes and a whiff of something spicy. … Read More
Jacob’s Creek Classic Pinot Noir 2013
Jacob’s Creek Classic Pinot Noir 2013 $7.90 ★★ On the upside, this wine is very fruity on the nose, with all sorts of strawberry, raspberry leaf and cherry things going on. In the mouth there are some pinot-like flavours, hints of spice and plum – but sadly it’s all a bit watery and there’s an … Read More