Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2020 $34 Every time the Saint Clair crowd announce they’ve made a Godfrey’s Creek Reserve gewürztraminer, I go into spasms of joy and jubilation. It’s become a New Zealand icon, generous, dry, spice-saturated and showing more lychee and ginger than you can lob a larb gai at, it’s … Read More
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Butterworth Estate Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Butterworth Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $29 Martinborough sauvignon blanc is one of the most underrated wines in our fair land. Delicately floral and foisting soft, lemongrassy loveliness up the nostrils, the Butterworth’s have perfected the mineral-centric, apple blossom bodaciousness that Te Muna terraces sauvignon is all about. Crisp, luscious, clean and to use a corporate … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2020
Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2020 $25 Man oh man have we seen some romper-ripping riesling recently. If you’re under 40 you may need an older gal to explain what rompers were. Or Google them. Just bear in mind you won’t be able to unsee it. Good thing this honeysuckle and citrus-centric stunner from Canterbury is perfect … Read More
Bleasdale The Wild Pear Langhorne Creek Sauvignon Blanc Verdelho 2021
Bleasdale The Wild Pear Langhorne Creek Sauvignon Blanc Verdelho 2021 $19 There are wild pear trees growing beside the oldest vines on the Bleasdale Estate that’ve been there for so long, no-one actually knows their age. Verdelho grown in Langhorne Creek tends to take on a pear-like perfume and that merges magically with the tropical … Read More
Map Maker Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Map Maker Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020$18 The steampunky-style fantastical flying machine on the label offers a clue that this sauvignon is a tad left of centre and rebellious. Sauvignon fans will love its green capsicum, lemongrass and luscious lime characters while being tickled by its perfectly prickly textures and herbaceous finish. Land ho! Map Maker
Lone Goat Winemaker Series Canterbury Riesling 2015
Lone Goat Winemaker Series Canterbury Riesling 2015 $22 If you’ll excuse me channelling Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap for a second, I’m turning the volume up to eleven and awarding this wine 6stars out of 5. It’s. That. Good. Riesling is considered the most cellarworthy white wine in the world – at 6 years on, … Read More
Butterworth Estate Layline Martinborough Pinot Gris 2020
Butterworth Estate Layline Martinborough Pinot Gris 2020 $24 If your only experiences with pinot gris have been overly sweet, blousy, flabby and floral, then strap yourself in for a drive on the dry side with this snappy new release from Butterworth Estate. Scented with golden delicious apples, sake spirit, subtle nashi notes and a deliciously … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Blackenbrook Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $20 This wine has some serious pedigree and it’s not only one of Nelson’s finest examples, it’s also one of the greatest $20 sauvignon blancs in the country. I say this because it’s so powerfully aromatic, with lemongrass, lime zest, sweet pea and tropical intensity on the nose and palate. … Read More
Brightwater Gravels Nelson Pinot Gris 2020
Brightwater Gravels Nelson Pinot Gris 2020 $18 Incredible value for money right here in this perky, plush, pear and apple-packed pinot gris from Nelson. Crisp, punchy, pure and licked with citrus and soft spices, it’s got ‘crowd pleaser’ and’ spring wedding’ written all over it. Clean, balanced and with a squeak of sweetness, it delivers … Read More
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Terraces Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $100 Word on the street is that 2019 was a blistering blinder of a year for chardonnay in Hawke’s Bay and that the fruit was set to flourish into something more fabulous than ever before. The word on the street is entirely accurate. Immensely powerful … Read More