2019 wine guide
Sparkling
NAUTILUS MARLBOROUGH CUVÉE BRUT (NON VINTAGE) $39
Top 10 Nautilus quite possibly spends more time maturing in the cellar than any other local méthode traditionnelle, which results in a weighty, creamy, bready flavour profile. Yet this bubbly is also very fresh: honey and citrus aromas abound, and there is fruit aplenty.
HENRI DUBOIS CHAMPAGNE BRUT (NON VINTAGE) $45
If your preference is for something from the home of sparkling wine, then you will struggle to find a better-value Champagne than Henri Dubois. The fruit is restrained, more honey and floral notes, some secondary characters, such as brioche, nougat perhaps. But for me the highlight is the palate — which is textural and seamless. A complex, interesting Champagne at a sharp price.
MORTON PREMIUM BRUT (NON VINTAGE) $18
Unlike many of its competitors in the under-$20 bubbles bracket, this is a relatively sophisticated and grown-up wine, less fruity and more savoury. Showing the benefit of ageing on yeast lees, the palate is textural and, best of all, the finish is relatively dry.
LINDAUER SPECIAL RESERVE BRUT CUVÉE (NON VINTAGE) $17
If you haven’t tried it, Lindauer Special Reserve is a richer and more concentrated wine than Lindauer Brut. There is weight here coming from the pinot noir component, some toasty, bready, developed characters and a creamy, rounded finish which makes for an enjoyable drink on its own, without food.
Sauvignon blanc
DOG POINT MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 $25
Top Is there a more iconic example of New Zealand sauvignon blanc than Dog Point? 2018 sees the label back to its powerful expressive best — grassy, herbal aromatics leap out of the glass. But there is also some weight, and texture, too. A serious, finely crafted wine that would
