May 6th
Church Road McDonald Pinot Gris 2009 RRP $32.99
At last, someone has made a pinot gris that makes a definite statement. This leaps out of the glass, coming on almost like a dessert wine on the sweetness scale and with lovely lime and pear aromas and a hint of ginger. Ripe pear and apple on the palate with an incredibly rich mouthfeel, but with plenty of acid to balance it out. A masterpiece.
May 13th
Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2008 RRP $26.90
I've always had a thing about Spanish wine and this is the perfect example of why Rioja is such a popular red. Lovely lifted plum and tobacco aromas, with hints of cedar and spice underneath, it's effortlessly smooth and elegant on the palate, with great fruit and spice flavours and a soft, lingering finish. Ideal with food or just on its own, it won't break the bank, either.
May 20th
Te Mata Awatea 2010 RRP $37.99
This is one of this country's truly great wines and an absolute showstopper, even in its youth. Supple and seductive, the nose is packed with blackberry, violets, blackcurrant and even some dark raspberry, like a warm fruit sauce. The palate shows all that and more, with cream and hazelnut notes for good measure. Seamless, sexy and sublime, buy it while you can, it's the stuff of dreams.
May 27th
Rabbit Ranch 2010 Pinot Noir $29.90
This is a very classy pinot with a funky, fruity and spicy nose. The rich oak turns sweet and the fruit opens up, coating the palate in rich smoothness before drifting away and leaving a gentle caress of fruit on the finish. Focused and well structured, this is a wine with real finesse that offers quality at a relatively giveaway price. Buy as much as you can and watch it get even better over the next two or three years.