Godello (pronounced God-Ay-Yo) means “small indulgence”, and I for one am totally treating myself to more than one bottle of this. Blended with a touch of Dona Blanca grapes, I love the aromas of apricot stone, lemon pith, crushed oyster shells and white peach. Sourced from the region of Bierzo in Northwest Spain, the bursts … Read More
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Omaka Springs Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $18 ★★★★
This is a crisp, lipsmacking example with all the classic hallmarks of quince, nashi pear, spicy apple and musky, tropical tones that I certainly look for in good gris. Satisfying, super-sippable and just a really tasty wine that’s perfect for these chilly, autumn afternoons. www.omaka.co.nz
Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2014 $25 ★★★★★
This is an absolute cracker of a riesling. I’m loving the super-clean, super-citrusy, lime, lemon curd and Pacific Queen apple characters. At a positively demure 8.5% alcohol, it certainly wont send you sideways and there’s a hefty splash of mandarin and nectarine-like sweetness in the mid-palate to keep you buoyant. Winemaker Dr Stephanie Lambert is … Read More
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Chardonnay 2015 $19 ★★★½
Toast and roast peach characters on the nose lead to a biscuity, complex, dry style of chardonnay on the palate. There’s a squeak of grilled apricot and honey on the finish alongside a seam of clean acidity running it’s entire length. Fans of toasty, oaky chardonnays will enjoy this wine. Sip with creamy smoked chicken … Read More
Duca Di Castelmonte Diantha 2013 $22 ★★★★
Made from a blend of Malvasia and Grecanico, this delicious wine has the most alluring, musky-sweet, nashi pear and lemon blossom perfume and it’s so fresh and crisp and delicately fruity on the palate that it’s perfect for seafood dishes that feature a splash of chilli and spice. The shiny, new, state-of-the-art winery is located … Read More
Tohu Mugwi Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $25 ★★★½
Prepare to have your perceptions of sauvignon blanc altered immediately! With intense aromas of watercress, freshly-baled pea hay and smoked jalapenos, this is a seriously funky, complex style style that’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Named in honour of Mugwi MacDonald, the late treasured Kaumatua of Maori-owned and operated Tohu Wines, it’s a wine crafted … Read More
Pegasus Bay Encore Noble Riesling 2014 $39 ★★★★★
Ancient glacial stones and mineral-rich gravels pervade the soils that this riesling grows upon, and during warm, moist days those berries succumb to botrytis infection with renders the juice golden and honeyed. Expect glorious honeyed citrus and toffee-coated stonefruit alongside tangy, lip-puckering acidity and a deeply complex, flavourful finish. Outstanding. Sweet and succulently indulgent. www.pegasusbay.com
Pegasus Bay Waipara Sauvignon Semillon 2014 $31 ★★★★
I love the aromas of freshly baled hay, lemongrass, dried basil, grilled peach, watercress and scorched toast. It’s one of my favourite blended whites and its’ a wine that’ll totally change your whole perception of sauvignon blanc. It’s a highly complex wine, rich and herbaceous, wth a vein of tangy acidity and honeyed citrus running … Read More
Staete Landt Annabel Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $22 ★★★★½
This is absolutely my kind of sauvignon, something that pushes the envelope just a smidge, away from the capsicum and cats pee and into a spectrum of lemongrass, basil, marzipan and intense white peach and pepper characters. Winemaker Ruud Maasdam has created a wine with real tension and tautness – and having a couple of … Read More
The Prospect Gisborne Chardonnay $20 ★★★★
If there’s one thing Steve Voysey knows how to do, that’s create darn lovely chardonnay, and this new puppy is no exception. Crafted from multiple Chardonnay clones grown in Gisborne’s famous sub-regions of Ormond and Patutahi, this is a classic, buttered crumpet and peach marmalade-style sip, loaded with warming spices and luscious stonefruit flavours. There’s … Read More