Nga Waka Martinborough Dry Riesling 2013
Lemongrass, lime and tangelo zest aromas osmose on to the palate in a wave of cheek-puckering dryness in this tang-fest of a wine. There's also a waft of beeswax and honeysuckle sneaking through. A couple of years in the bottle has this wine
developing nicely into a cleansing, beautifully bony drop that will reinvigorate even the ropiest of riesling resisters.
Sip with: fresh snapper baked with tomatillos and jalapenos
Available at: ngawaka.co.nz, bitewine.co.nz
Sacred Hill Halo Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Holy moly! How do I even begin describing how glorious this wine smells? Here goes: vanilla bean, ultra-ripe berries, dark cocoa powder and plum - almost like a liquid Jelly Tip inside the glass. To drink, it's fresh, vibrant and boasts sinewy, muscular tannins and a marathon-like finish.
Sip with: garlic-studded roast lamb
Available at: caros.co.nz
Two Rivers Wairau Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
There's a sea of pinot gris out there and it can feel like a bit of a lottery trying to find one that ticks all your boxes. Yet here's one that somehow manages to pack ripe, musky pear, quince and strudel spices into the bottle alongside a canon of crunchy-crisp nashi notes, a bright, mineral edge and a long, juicy finish.
Sip with: duck liver pate and brioche
Available at: tworivers.co.nz
Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.
