This snappy-dry wine has a lovely, briny, oyster shell aroma that merges with beeswax, pure white peach and baked apple characters. The acidity is bracing, slicing, and really accentuates the intense citrus and honeysuckle flavours. The texture on the finish is powdery and lingers long after that first sip. www.kalexwines.com
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Whitehaven ‘Greg’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $26.99 ★★★★
You don’t just scoop a gold medal at the Sydney Top 100 Wine Competition for no reason. You’ve got to me a wine with serious chops. Created in tribute to Whitehaven’s founder Greg White, this has all the classic Awatere Valley notes of soft summer flowers, tangy passionfruit, crushed nettles and elderflower. Crisp, crunchy and … Read More
The Winemakers Wife Waipara Riesling 2015 $22 ★★★★½
Created by the McGeorge brothers, this scored a gold medal at the recent Canterbury Wine Awards where all the top wines are awarded according to how well they pair with food – so this is a cracker. Definitely on the juicy, tropical end of the spectrum, with a seam of lipsmacking lime running through the … Read More
Brightwater Nelson Riesling 2015 $20 ★★★½
This is a bony, bareknuckle riesling that ping pings around the palate like an apple and mandarin flavoured comet. Fresh, plucky and has a deliciously dry texture on the finish. Drink with sweet and sour pork. www.brightwaterwine.co.nz
Aronui Nelson Riesling 2014 $17.99 ★★★½
Nelson has the unofficial ‘Aromatics Capital of New Zealand’ title and wines like this reinforce that status. Scented with snappy green apple, lime and hint’s of honeysuckle, it’s a tangy, dry sip that’ll cleanse your tastebuds nicely, especially if you’re tucking into a creamy Waldorf salad. www.aronuiwines.co.nz
Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d’à Côté Viognier 2014 $39 ★★★½
Intense orange oil, jasmine and apricot aromatics combine with crispy, crunchy acidity and a lovely lean, citrus spine. Crafted from fruit sourced from the commune of Chavanay, there’s even a hint of salty minerality on the finish from this highly respected Rhone producer. It’s an absolute star with prawns seared in herb butter. www.glengarrywines.co.nz
The Winemaker’s Wife Waipara Pinot Gris 2015 $22 ★★★★★
Clean, tangy poached pear, quince and hints of mango manage to wash across the palate of this trophy winning pinot gris. Fresh and fulsome, it’s a multi-layered slippery yet satisfyingly fruity example that will be an absolutely winner with creamy smoked chicken and bacon pasta.
Black Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $15 ★★★★½
This is a sauvignon for fans of super-lemony, herbaceous, passionfruit-packed styles. Dave Clouston is the winemaker and he’s a serious talent when it comes to turning out tangy, tropical tastiness in a bottle. www.blackcottagewines.co.nz
Clearview Three Rows Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $32 ★★★★
The roast nectarine, grilled grapefruit and luscious, spicy, smoky flavours of this chardonnay make for a super sipping experience that’s for sure. It has rich, juicy mid-palate impact, tangy, tropical layers and the textural, nutty finish is amazing. Sip with Chinese Five Spice Chicken. Cellar door only – ph 06 875 0150 or www.clearviewestate.co.nz
Squawking Magpie The Gravels Chardonnay 2015 $30 ★★★★½
For starters I really love the slick new label design at play here, mysterious, brooding and very ‘magpie’. Here’s an incredibly ‘pure’ chardonnay that’s packed with tropical tang, so expect pineapple, nectarine and tangelo notes alongside honey-buttered cinnamon toast and creamy layers in the mid-palate. The acidity is elegantly structured, there’s lovely balance and interest … Read More