The nervous anticipation I feel when choosing wines to crow about each week is the same as I’d get back in the 1980s each time I hit “record-play” on the must-impress-some-boy mix-tape I was making. That was terrifying, at least these are tasty.
Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Back in the 1970s Phil and Chris Rose's patch of land looked very different indeed. They were farming cows, growing lucerne, fruit and their young family. But then the oil crisis hit, their farm became uneconomic - and, with mouths to feed, they thought they'd give this newfangled grape-growing gig a go. Thank God they did, otherwise we wouldn't have sauvignon like this to lust over.
Beautiful aromas of lime blossom, basil, summer flowers and ripe passionfruit followed by cracking acidity, red capsicum characters and a full, creamy finish make this a superb-value sip.
Maude Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015
Snappy, instantly appealing aromas of nashi, quince and fresh white peach greet the nose and spill into the palate in a tsunami of texture and flavour in this gem made by Sarah-Kate and Dan Dineen from down Wanaka way. If you're new to pinot gris, or always seem to stumble across bad, bland ones - then this is the awakening you'll be looking for.
Crunchy acidity and a dry, juicy mouthfeel make this a winner.
Matua Single Vineyard Matheson Hawkes Bay Malbec 2013
Winemaker Nicolai St George deliberately held this wine back for a much later release than his other Single Vineyard reds from the monster 2013 vintage because he felt it needed more time to settle down. Well I can safely say it's more than "settled", it's become an absolute stunner. Malbec isn't a grape you see a great deal of on its own here in New Zealand - it often gets blended in with merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Intensely floral and peppery, there's a sexy waft of cocoa, smoke and leather with the dark blueberry and plum flavours. It's muscular, gripping and unfurling very nicely indeed. Built for the long haul, but lovely now.
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