Overstone Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2009 $7.99 For less than ten bucks this is a cracker. Aromas of white peach, toasted nuts lead to juicy, peach notes on the palate. Fresh acidity means it also has a lot of life in it yet. Available from www.blackmarket.co.nz
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Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010 $26 Half the juice was fermented in older French oak which contributes to the toasty, fig-like notes on the nose and the nectarine stone and spicy pear flavours on the palate. At 14% alc it’s far from delicate, but if mouthfilling succulence is what you’re after then look no further. www.greywacke.com … Read More
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010 $28 Scented with yellow plum, orange oil and frangipane. In the mouth it boasts citrus pith and musky, mid-palate seductiveness. Topped off with tangy, warming length of flavour and a nicely balanced 13.5% alcohol, this is definitely a drinkable example that works beautifully with apricot and sage-stuffed pork roast. www.millton.co.nz Millton … Read More
Lime Rock Gruner Veltliner 2011
Lime Rock Grüner Veltliner 2011 375ml $22 The debut example from the best little winery southside of the Te Hauke swamp, and it has interesting white pepper, apple and sake-like aromas followed by green apple, fruitwax and subtle, salty notes on the finish. A really interesting wine that is also rare as hens teeth, so … Read More
Te Awa Sauvignon Semillon 2010
Te Awa Sauvignon Semillon 2010 $26 This is such an underrated blend. I really like the extra ‘flesh’ the injection of semillon adds to the lemony, tropical sauvignon blanc that Hawke’s Bay is famous for. Aromas of white florals, citrus and fresh-cut fennel lead to zesty minerality which slices across the palate leaving a clean, … Read More
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $35 Golden and glossy, this wine boasts layers of white peach, tangelo and grapefruit pith aromas which are so enticing it’s quite tricky actually wrenching your nose away so you can actually put it in your mouth! But it’s worth it because this chardonnay has succulent stonefruit and creamy, nutty, … Read More
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Passionfruit sorbet and crushed herbs on the nose merge with a spritzy-sweet burst of lemon and lime in the mouth. Shiney and new it’s a sure-fire sauvignon that’s classic, tangy and long on flavour. A terrific match for fresh seafood, particularly paua fritters drizzled with lemon juice or pan-seared … Read More
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $27 If you’re after bog-standard, simple sauvignon blanc then move along because this wine is something else! Crafted by Simon Waghorn, one of New Zealand’s most experienced sauvignon stylists, the cooler growing temperatures of 2010 are definitely evident in the herbal, nettle, asparagus and brassica-like aromas. In … Read More
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2010
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2009 $22 I love the nose on this wine! Subtle, mineral-like aromas with hints of rose petal, lychee and a burst of candyfloss lead the way to a crisp, clean, refreshing mouthfeel with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t ooze the intense richness of previous vintages, but it has a lovely … Read More
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $22 Gorgeous ripe grapefruit and mandarin aromas combine with solid toasty oak notes and a rich, attractive bacon-like character really rounds out the complexity of this wine. Lovely fresh acidity and juicy length of flavour makes it a superb match with classic roast chicken or seared scallops wrapped in bacon. … Read More