This is a really unusual, spicy, punchy riesling from their clay and limestone-laden Damsteep vineyard located at the foot of the Omihi Saddle. Grown biodynamically and 2 years into their organic certification, these 17 year-old vines are really hitting their straps. Matured in 3-10yr old barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation gives gorgeous, creamy complexity to … Read More
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Maude Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $26.99
Central Otago has serious talent when it comes to hitting the stage with class-act pinot gris. Brand new and framed with an elegant line of nashi and quince, this new release is delicately fruity, with a lovely chalky texture and cleansing finish. Sourced from vineyards growing at the foot of Mount Maude in Wanaka and … Read More
Ted by Mount Edward Central Otago Pinot Blanc 2016 $24.99
Pinot blanc is such a rare thing in this country, but Duncan Forsyth and Anna Riederer are experts at crafting some of the best year after year. It’s a complex little number, with summer wild flowers, white peach, walnut flesh and soft, exotic spices alongside a squeak of honeysuckle which adds a frill to the … Read More
Archangel Stephania Central Otago Riesling 2015 $25
Zenek Zurakowski has cleverly added the official International Riesling Foundation sweetness scale to his back label, clearly indicating this is definitely on the dry end of the spectrum. Lifted green apple and luscious lime aromas literally leap from the glass and then they rip across the tongue leaving a wake of wet stone and quartzy, … Read More
Montana Winemakers Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $16.99 (3.5 stars)
Sick of sauvignon that’s all sweet passionfruit, armpit sweat and OTT with the capsicum and cats pee? Fret no longer, this puppy has a lift of white peach, lemongrass, basil and limey loveliness alongside a vein of quartzy minerality in the mouth. It’s lean, clean, tidy and darn tasty. Available in supermarkets.
Te Pa Wines Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $24 (4.5 stars)
Forget the words ‘sauvignon blanc’, because it’s way more like a ‘crazy, complex, smoky, roasty, toasty white wine’ than a sauvignon. Aromas of pine pollen, marzipan and smoked passionfruit are followed by lemongrass, lime leaf and tropical tastiness. Essentially it’s a gloriously complex wine, produced by a family that can trace their roots back to … Read More
Terravin Te Ahu Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $40 (4.5 stars)
‘‘Te Ahu’’ loosely translates to ‘‘new beginning’’ in Maori and for many sauvignon blanc fans, one sip of this will send them into new realms of possibility. Barrel-fermented, as opposed to the usual stainless-steel treatment, and using wild, indigenous yeasts, this wine offers almond meal, frangipani, freshly baled hay and baked tropical fruits on the … Read More
Pacific Potion Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $25 (4 stars)
Certified organic and oozing personality, this is lemongrassy, limey lusciousness at its best. Produced by the Supernatural Wine kids with organic-specialist winemaker Hayden Penny at the helm, the Pacific Potion is a skilfully produced clean, zesty, tangy and tropical tipple. It’s surprising to see it’s lower in alcohol than most (11.5%) but I love it’s … Read More
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Old Vine Chardonnay 2016 $47
If you’ve been seeking creamy satisfaction in all the wrong places, then fret no more. 100% malolactic fermentation has added lovely layers of crème caramel and ground almonds to classic citrus and grapefruity, peachy goodness to this fully-certified organic chardonnay. Crafted from fruit grown on vines planted in 1992, Mendoza clone vines with low yields, … Read More
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015 $25
Back in 2002 when Feilding dairy farmer Warren Haworth reached 50, he decided to reward himself and his wife Jan with a new life in Hawke’s Bay making wine. A new life of backbreaking work, little reward and even less sleep. But with the help of their winemaker son Dermot, they’re now crafting gobsmackingly good … Read More