Black Ridge Breidecker 2016
From Alexandra, Central Otago, Breidecker is a German grape from the Rheingau region. It is a cross between Riesling and Seibel and is particularly suited to cool growing conditions. Bright, golden straw colour, with vibrant green edging. This has a pure, youthful, white floral lift to the nose, with full and open hints of crisp and fresh herbaceous flavours as it areates. A vibrant, spiceiness presents, with sweet and succulently ripe layers of peach and melon, enriched with a earthy minerality. There’s a splash of sweetness (16gms?) that cuts a fine balance between the lively citrus acidity, and the penetrating fruit; combining for a plush and rounded harmony. This counterpoint manages to be both refreshing and rich at the same time. The vitality is carried through the palate, leading to a full, broad and lingering finish. A luscious and refined wine, with immediate drinkability.
Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
From some of the oldest chardonnay vines in Marlborough – Menoza clone. A brilliant, sunshine yellow in the glass – going lightly green around the edges. Smokey yeastiness is immediately present, interwoven with a complex fragrance of flint and citrus. A taut and concentrated wave of sweet and succulently ripe flavours is carried by an array of ripe grapefruit acidity and a mineral edge; before a core of toasty oak richness (the barrels made to a heavy toasted finish) leads to hints of honey, toast and crème brulee. The creamy malolactic fermentation enriches the overall complexity and some funky notes also add to the depth and head you out to a well-rounded and punchy finish. A generous and substantial style of Chardonnay
Church Road 'McDonald series' Chardonnay 2018
Opened soon after release of the new 2018 vintage, it is a bright lemon-green and youthful wine, with lively nutty, smoky and toasty oak aromas. Medium-bodied, the fruit is rich, detailed and very vibrant, with sweet and succulently ripe flavours of citrus and candy apple. The moderate acidity is balanced by a complex and rounded creaminess, enriched by the oak barrel and nutty lees influence. The fruit merges with some unfolding spiciness and leads to an accessible and poised finish. A satisfyingly complex wine for the price – the little brother to the bigger Grand Reserve Chardonnay – it is an elegant wine with lots of drink-young appeal.
Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019
One of the first tasted of the new 2019 vintage Sauvignon Blancs appearing from Marlborough, it is a brightly coloured and pungent wine, with those textbook cut-grass and crisp salad aromas. Clear and fresh with the fruit full and open, and showing a vibrant lemon and gooseberry edge. A straightforward palate is nevertheless threaded with plenty of tangy herbaceous flavours to keep the attention pure and steady on the ripe fruit. It all leads to a long, dry and subtle finish. If this is a sign of the next vintage for our ‘national wine’, then we are in for a treat – it is beautifully ripe but with that cut-through acidity to create a wine that may very well age nicely, as well as featuring very tidily indeed in a few glasses this summertime.
Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay 2018
From a winery that consistently punches above it’s weight, with a range (and quality) of wines the envy of many larger producers; this is the mid-tier ‘Reserve Chardonnay’ with fruit from across their Hawke’s bay vineyards. A gorgeous amber colour in the glass, with some greening to the edges. It fills the glass with a complex aroma of grapefruit, melon with wisps of smokey toast and biscuit. Next comes an array of ripe peaches & nashi pear baked in a honeyed crumble, tuned and balanced with lashings of creamy butterscotch from the oak and barrel ferment notes. Whilst this is drumming the tastebuds, a poised and lengthy finish is waiting to end the mouthful, preparing you for the next. Drinking delightfully now, this should reward mid-term cellaring.
