Nelson offers all sorts of niceness in a sauvignon blanc style that’s got a personality all of its own. Pretty, punchy and prickled with crushed nettles, bruised lemongrass and fresh passionfruit, this certified organic sauvignon erupts with zesty acidity, some sneaky oak notes and mountains of minerality on the finish. www.greenhough.co.nz
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Brightwater Lord Rutherford Barrique Fermented Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $30 (4 star)
I’m on a crusade to convert more people over to the barrel fermented side of the sauvignon fence if it’s the last thing I do. Gary and Valley Neale are experts in this field and this eye-poppingly good example is now a firm favourite of mine. Toasty, macadamia, buttered crumpet and roast peach aromatics lead … Read More
Dopff & Irion Cuvée René Dopff Alsace Riesling 2014 $22 (4.5 stars)
Here’s a definite new favourite for me, because I adore this style of riesling that’s packed with pure lime and green apple on the nose, crushed shells and wet stones. It’s a dry style, yet has some gloriously crunchy, natural sweetness allowing a round, citrus-focused mid-palate and a generously cleansing finish. Love it! www.wineseeker.co.nz
Dopff & Irion Alsace Edelzwicker $18 (3 stars)
The name ‘edelzwicker’ comes from the word ‘Zwicker’ which means ‘blend’ and ‘Edel’ which means ‘noble’. So essentially it’s a blend of noble varieties from Alsace, and that’s sylvaner, pinot blanc, riesling, muscat d’alsace, pinot gris, gewürztraminer, auxerrois and the Swiss grape chasselas. It’s a pretty crazy spectrum of flavours such as preserved lemon, rockmelon, … Read More
Tony Bish Heartwood Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $35
The debut release this month from the chardonnay’s Commander in Chief is an exercise in pure balance and excess combined. My quest for excellent chardonnay is basically what gets me up in the morning, so the day after sipping this, I had a blissful, snorey, sleep-in. Fleshy, juicy, stonefruit notes combine with a whiff of … Read More
Murphy Goode California Chardonnay 2014 $25
Super-creamalicous on the nose and palate, this is classic California chardonnay from Santa Rosa that I’m sure will appeal to both mama’s and the papa’s and cool kids alike. Bursting with ultra-ripe peach, coconut, vanilla and layers of roasty-toasty almond, it’s also fresh, citrusy and a total trop-fest on the palate. Sip with: Baked, cornflake-coated … Read More
Hunter’s Marlborough Riesling 2016 $18.90 (4.5 stars)
If you’re looking for a bouncy, vivacious riesling that zings with flavour, you’ve come to the right spot because this new release from Hunter’s is so incredibly clean, fresh and limey. With its snappy citrus and crushed shell notes, crunchy green apple and hints of honeysuckle, it’ll make any recipe featuring ginger, chilli, garlic and … Read More
Mahana Davey’s Lease Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $42 (4stars)
Winemaker Michael Glover has thrown so many ‘non-sauvignon’ techniques at this wine, it’s now something that might be sauvignon, but not as we know it. Bright, glossy, golden and boasting a lean, smoky, watercressy nose and a palate layered with almond meal, celery seed, bay and tarragon characters. A combo of French oak and acacia … Read More
Fairhall Downs Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $23.75 (3.5stars)
From their Wrekin Road vineyard, comes this intensely herbaceous sauvignon, with loads of crushed nettles and a wave of jalapeno on the nose before morphing into a soft, basil, passionfruit and lemony layers in the mid-palate. It’s a plump, tropical sauvignon that’ll win with mussel fritters. www.fairhalldowns.co.nz
Mon Cheval Waipara Gewurztraminer 2016 $29.99
Whoever said racehorses were a great way to lose money, clearly didn’t own ‘Under Cover Lover’, the champion racehorse who earned her owners enough cash to start their dream as winegrowers in Waipara’s Weka Pass. Very small amounts of this gewürztraminer were made by legendary winemaker CP Lin, and I love the ginger, musk and … Read More