Topuku, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has had a hard time in recent years with sub standard wine coming to the market. Thus one from Topuku from the Marlborough region is rather good, very good. Yes it’s a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, dry, gooseberry but with green apple, grass and nettle coming through. At £12 a bottle it’s well worth buying.
Leftfield, Albarino, 2023, Gisborne, New Zealand
This was the first Albarino from Gisborne in New Zealand that I have tasted and I’m blown away by the quality. Soft and rounded with lemon, peach, melon and a hint of herbs. It’s balanced and delicious and at under £15 a bottle great value. Forget food, just enjoy it on its own and loss yourself in the flavours.
The Retreat, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
A typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is best in describing this wine. Dry, crisp with citrus and hints of gooseberry. Pair with seafood or a zesty salad. On offer at Aldi for under £5 it was good value, normal price is under £10 which is a little high. It’s like getting a VW Golf but finding it’s just like a VW Polo. You wanted a Golf.
Oyster Bay, Merlot, 2022, Hawks Bay, New Zealand
A big producer, Oyster Bay is a supermarket staple in their wine aisle. They produce decent wine at a fair price and this Merlot is no exception. A dry red wine with decent red fruit flavours. A little one dimensional in its characteristic delivery but at under £10 a bottle what do you expect.
Makaraka, Pinot Noir, 2022 Marlborough, New Zealand
Purchased from Aldi for the reduced price of £5 I was not holding out much hope that this Pinot Noir from Makaraka would be any good. I was right too. Its a red wine and thats the best I can really say. Some red fruit flavours and sourness make this wine a no from me. It needs much more flavour and depth with a better overall structure, its flabby with no direction. Sorry Aldi but its not a good wine.
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.