Made from what seems like quite exotic varietals to us in New Zealand – Cinsault, Sangiovese and Sagrantino, and with one of those creatively crazy D’Arenberg names on the label. The wine is a lovely watermelon pink in the glass, and has super fresh lolly shop aromatics of bubblegum, strawberry, candy apple and lemon sherbert. From that playful nose, it is startlingly dry then into the palate, taking quite the serious turn into apple-skin fruit tannin, peach skin fuzziness and a decent amount of stony minerality. A line of brisk acidity sits it up, and yet that ripe, summer berry wave of glossiness (and just a hint of sweetness sneaking in) persists right through. The finish is crisp, juicy and long. 93pts
D’Arenberg Stephanie the Gnome with Rose coloured glasses 2021
