best of NZ recent releases
Bannock Brae Pinot Noir 2015 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
This is a bold highly aromatic wine; red liquorice and sweet spice sitting next to red and black berry fruits. Starting to show some attractive bottle developed characters of forest floor, mushroom and leather too. A little lick of tannin gives a firmness to the palate but there is enough concentration to suggest the wine will continue to develop well. $60
Aotea By The Seifried Family Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
A muted, subtle aroma with a touch of gunflint and smoke complementing the snowpea and fresh lime. The palate is ripe with flavours of passionfruit, blackcurrant bush and elderflower, a very crisp line of acid keeping everything in balance and a juicy, dry finish. A restrained yet compelling example of sauvignon blanc. $29
Ellero Pisa Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2015 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
A beautifully poised, highly aromatic wine that combines real concentration yet retains elegance and charm. There is a wealth of crisp green apple, nashi pear and lime with some white blossom and petal. A drier style of riesling with a fantastic mineral edged line of acidity. $25
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2013 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Super charged aromas of doris plum, rose petal and almost a hint of freesia give an exotic opulence to the nose. Some red cherry, plum and a little currant peeping through. Maybe not much by way of elegance, but so much power and flavour, this is an immensely appealing luxurious style of pinot noir. $95
Domaine-Thomson Rows 1-37 Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Very aromatic with wild raspberry and red plum, a touch of exotic star anise and dried herbs too. After the opulence of the nose the palate comes as a surprise; this is structured, dense pinot noir with finely grained tannin firmly in support. Lovely concentration of fruit and a long, sustained finish. Good stuff, just needs a little more time to be at its best. $68
Martinborough Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
This is delightful. Ripe white nectarine and fresh apricot on the nose, joined by a touch of red grapefruit, flavours that run right across the palate. There is some cinnamon and sweet spice from barrel ageing, a little drizzle of melting butter and a lick of fresh cream. Real concentration mid palate, this is a structured, serious poised chardonnay that has layers of flavour and length. Perfect now though would develop well in bottle. $42.95
Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Noir 2016 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Big juicy ripe
