Brancott Estate, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, Marlborough, New Zealand
Another excellent wine from Tesco. At £12 a bottle it’s keenly price for the quality. Made from Sabro and Sauvignon Blanc grapes it’s dry, crisp, clean, refreshing with good length of flavours, citrus and hints of lime all in the right proportions.
Tesco, Finest Pinot Noir, 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand
I think Tesco struck gold with their Finest Pinot Noir from Central Otago, New Zealand. This is a real treat. Dry and light it has plenty of subtle red fruit that dances on the palette. It’s got grace and style and although Decanter only gave it 91 points it’s a gold from me.
At £14 a bottle for such quality it’s great value. It stood up to steak very well but was excellent too on its own.
Aldi, Marlborough Sounds, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
Another New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Aldi, although at £9.99 a bottle a bit more pricey than the usual offerings. It’s dry, reasonably light with subtler flavours. More citrus than gooseberry, more French than New Zealand. Can this be thd wine to change the minds of people buying Sauvignon Blanc from Aldi that it’s worth trading up? Probably, great wine especially with pizza, zesty salad or fish.
Greenhough, Road Block, Chardonnay, 2019, New Zealand
We use to drink a lot of the Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc at one stage, so I was eager to try the Road Block, Chardonnay. Unfortunately it’d not as good. This Chardonnay dry but is very green and acidic, lots of green apple, grass notes but the acidity is too much unless you have food. A tried it with a ripe brie cheese and it took the edge off quite well. At under £10 it’s just a no, on all levels from me
Aurora Creek, Rock Ferry, Pinot Noir, 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand
Aurora Creek, Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand is good example of where New Zealand Pinot Noir is at the moment. Dry with light tannins, flavours of cherry, redcurrant with a little oak and earthy note poking through. It has good length but it’s £22 a bottle which for me is far to expensive.
Villa Maria, Private Bin, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, New Zealand
I do like a good Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Grey Wackie for example but this one from Villa Maria has a slightly different take on the traditional style. It’s dry, has good body and acidity. There are aromas and flavours of pineapple and grapefruit with a little lemon. The usual gooseberry hit is low on the list, it’s there but you need to concentrate to find it. One I’ll happy drink again. At £10 a bottle it’s good value
Bald Hills, Single Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand
New Zealand Pinot Noir is some of the best in the world and this one from Bald Hills really shows class. Refreshing, light, red wine that’s very smooth and dry with lots of cherry and raspberry flavours with hints of strawberry. There’s some oak and chocolate and vanilla in there and earthiness which is refreshing, not overpowering and shows subtlety.
Sure it’s £25 a bottle but it’s worth it.
Cloudy Bay, Pelorus, Sparkling Rosé, New Zealand
New Zealand sparkling wine has come a long way in the last decade, just like New Zealand wine in general and this sparkling from Cloudy Bay is half decent. Its not perfect and a bit pricey but drinkable. There’s plenty of acidity and tartness but the fruit is lacking with just hints of strawberries and redcurrant. At £25 a bottle there are better Rosé sparkling wines out there.
Babich, Sauvignon Blanc, 2021, New Zealand
Another New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, can it get any more boring? Thus is a rather good one, dry, reasonably light, refreshing with decent flavours and aromas. Lime, citrus, pineapple, hints of gooseberry and green apple. At £14 a bottle it should be decent and it delivers.
Amisfield, Breakneck, Pinot Noir, 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand
Another excellent Pinot Noir from New Zealand this ‘Breakneck’ from Amisfield is dry, smooth, with firm but well integrated tannins that makes this a joy to drink. Plenty of flavour with red cherry at the front and hints of oak, a subtle earthiness and all with long length.
Sure at £60 a bottle it’s not cheap but then again quality like this is often expensive. It’s a shame as many people won’t get to try it.