Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Pinot Gris 2022 $27 Grown on one of the southernmost boundaries of what’s considered ‘Marlborough’, in the sea breeze-buffetted Sleepers Vineyard, this bone-dry, mineral-drenched style is awash with nashi and nutmeg notes, clean stonefruit characters and elegantly taut, tense complexity in the mouth. It has a lengthy, generous mouthfeel and bracing freshness. … Read More
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Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 $25 A really attractive and interesting style of gris here, snappy-fresh, fanging with poached pear, soft pepper and Golden Delicious apple notes on the nose and palate. Texture-wise it’s clean, dry and very nicely balanced. Hints of nutmeg and roast fennel sneak through on the finish too. Video Review here … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 $25 If you were wishing for a sweetly-styled, bog-standard, boring old pinot gris then, that’s very odd because who wants that? I’m forever on the hunt for something showing bright nashi and zesty citrus layers, hints of nutmeg and apple strudel spices and showing a solid, dry finish. That’s … Read More
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2022
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2022 $28* A vibrant, classically-styled pinot gris with quince, nashi and nutmeg notes on the nose and palate and has tangy richness in the mid-palate and a decent, dry finish. Made my Antony Worch, winemaker to many Central Otago stars, this pinot gris has Autumn afternoon cheese platter written … Read More
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 ($tbc) Very golden in the glass and possesses a slightly sweet-sour, botrytis and white pepper character on the nose and palate. Consumed ultra-chilled tends to accentuate the citrus and quince characters – however it’s not as varietal and refined as other Penkridge vintages I’ve tasted.
Astrolabe Taihoa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Astrolabe Taihoa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $36 In Maori, ‘taihoa’ means to wait, to not be in a hurry, and the fruit from this vineyard has clearly been given the time and care it needs to create serious yum-factor. Winemaker Simon Waghorn wild – fermented Kēkerengū-grown fruit from the southernmost part of Marlborough in old, … Read More
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $32 Super-juicy and laced with floral complexity, a slick of salinity and soft citrus rushing across the senses in every sip. Hints of apple and lime wrap around a core of subtle passionfruit and lemongrass. It’s a satisfyingly fresh and energetic sauvignon with plenty of personality and a … Read More
Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $23-$27 Boasting that unmistakable Awatere Valley florality, this sauvignon has a refreshing, peach blossom perfume, basil, soft passionfruit and a hint of lawn clippings on the nose and palate. Zesty textures and a clean, linear mouthfeel add buoyancy and complexity to its lime-laced finish. Nice one Astrolabe! Astrolabe … Read More
Greenhough Apple Valley Riesling 2022
Greenhough Apple Valley Nelson Riesling 2022 $25 Every year I marvel at the amount of intense granny smith and jazz-apple crispness and concentrated, spritzy, lime-laden sweetness that Andrew Greenhough and his team manage to cram into this organic wine. Sourced from a tiny, north-facing vineyard on Apple Valley Road (the cutest road name ever) overlooking … Read More
Wairau River Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2021
Wairau River Reserve Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2021 $29 How’s them apples! This little bit of Austria here in Aotearoa gives an immediate hit of freshly cut apples, lemon pith, yellow plums and wildflowers on the nose and palate making this grüner groovy in all the right places. With a squeak of tarragon and soft, peachy … Read More