Hummel Villányi Hárslevelü 2016 $poa (4.5 stars) Hárslevelü (pronounce it however you like my friend) is a grape native to Hungary and it’s also known as Lindenblättriger in Austria, (where there are also tiny plantings). The name means “linden leaves”, referring to the Linden tree, often called ‘Lime’ trees in English but bear absolutely no … Read More
Archives
Scout Wines Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 $30
It’s all about texture, texture, texture here in this organically-grown gris from Nelson’s alluvial Hope gravels. On the nose it shows green nectarine, mineral, quince and chalky notes that all osmose through onto the palate in a fresh, grigio-style example. Fresh, crunchy, lean, foot-stomped and fermented in a combination of tanks and old barrels, with … Read More
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $32 If your tastes in chardonnay lean along the nutty, buttered crumpet and biscuity end of the spectrum, then you’ll be loving this nougat-infused number. It’s stitched together with some solid citrus, so freshness is definitely the underlying factor here – however there’s a lovely complexing, caramelised note … Read More
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $29 I’m tasting this wine right as white flesh nectarines begin appearing in heaping quanitites on roadside fruit stalls around where I live, (Hastings, in case you were wondering) and this wine reminds me so much of their scent and the juicy intensity of biting into one. … Read More
Scout South Island Pinot x Pinot 2018
Scout South Island Pinot x Pinot 2018 $32 Greg and Sarah Lane are the team behind Scout, a trans-tasman brand turning out Adelaide Hills chardonnay and reds from the South Island of New Zealand. This little monster is a blend of 75% whole bunch Marlborough Pinot with 25% skin fermented Nelson Pinot Gris. Yep. I … Read More
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $65 Riflemans should be, in my opinion, given national treasure status for its services to chardonnay appreciation in this country. Created in years when the fruit from this heritage-status vineyard in the upper reaches of the Dartmoor Valley, is deemed nothing less than exceptional, this wine is an exercise … Read More
Amisfield Central Otago Fumé Blanc 2016
Amisfield Central Otago Fumé Blanc 2016 $45 When people say ‘fumé blanc is sauvignon for chardonnay lovers’, they’re absolutely right. Winemaker Dr Stephanie Lambert and her team have taken what must have been rather snappy sauvignon blanc fruit and opted to ferment it using wild yeasts, in large French oak barrels. This in turn has given … Read More
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $19.99 Created by the good folk at Dry Gully Vineyard in the summer heat-trap of Alexandra, this pinot gris will appeal to anyone walking on the dry side of the street. Sure you have hints of the usual suspects of pear and quince, yet there’s also a … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Pét-Nat Chardonnay 2018
PETANE STATION HAWKE’S BAY PÉTILLANT NATUREL 2018 $38 “Pet Nat” is the thing. Everyone’s doing it – but not everyone is doing it well. Petane Station have crafted their debut example from chardonnay and while it’s got citrus hallmarks of classic chard, grapefruit, lemon et al, there’s a soft funkiness and spritzig. In fact beware the … Read More
Music Bay Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $16
Music Bay Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $16 Here’s a crispy, crunchy little quaffer which shows all the hallmarks of good gris, ie. pear, apple, quince and some spice. It’s not a complicated wine, simple and sippable.