A sweet, sweaty sauvignon crafted by 40-year winemaking veteran John Belsham and his team at Foxes Island Wines. For the price it's a darn good drink. Classic passionfruit and basil and even a splash of elderflower followed by a lick of lemongrass and lime.Nicely structured and super-fresh, best served chilled next to a steaming bowl of fresh mussels and garlic bread. foxes-island.co.nz
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2015, $29
Winemaker Todd Stevens and viticulturist Richard Flatman have done a cracker of a job creating pinot gris that smells like pear and apple strudel served with poached quince and cream. Exotically spicy, chock-full of ripe fruit and has a deeply textural mouthfeel that's fresh and funky. A burst of sweetness on the finish gives it extra generosity, it's a gris that keeps on giving basically. neudorf.co.nz
Marsden Estate Bay of Islands Tempranillo 2014, $42
Who would have thought that big, busty, dusty Spanish red grapes such as tempranillo would ever be happy growing in a tiny, 4ha, subtropical pocket of Northland? Not many, if any. However Rod McIvor of Marsden Estate had full faith and this juicy, plush, spicy red is the result. Lifted berryfruit and black tea on the nose, followed by a squeak of cherry and liquorice and a velvety, slippery, savoury finish. marsdenestate.co.nz
