Cuvé No.1 Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionelle, NV
From Marlborough, comes this impressive New Zealand sparkling wine – 100% Chardonnay, and having aged on its lees for 2 years. Beautifully expressive and aromatic on the nose, with a bouquet of red apple, chestnut, chamomile, lemon zest and elderflower. Dry and elegant, showing a racy, mineral-flecked acidity with real power and drive into the palate. Ripe, tropical flavours of nectarine, melon, crystallised pineapple and a bite of yeasty sourdough. A plush, silken texture emerges from under the crisp acidity and sumptuous fruit, leading to a slightly drying finish of great length. 93pts.
No.1 Estate Reserve Méthode Traditionelle, NV
Taking the Cuvé No.1 Blanc de Blancs, and giving it an extra ageing on lees (around 8 years in total) produces this extraordinary, complex and delicious Reserve wine – my favourite of their range. Comparable to a very fine Champagne. Superb presentation, and looking superb in the glass too. A bright, pale gold with big volume on the nose. Aromas of baked apricot Danish, nutmeg, sweet apple, cardamom, lemon meringue and yeasty brioche. Dry, complex, concentrated and with a tight, crisp acidity. The finesse of the mousse of bubbles is textural in itself – fine and creamy across the rich palate. The age character comes through later, with a toasty, savoury, mineral edge adding more depth. The finish brings all the elements together in a lovely harmony – delicate and lingering. 96pts.
Right up there with the best wines of 2021.
