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.
Thomas Brothers, Greystone, Pinot Noir, 2015, Waipara, New Zealand
Quite wonderful is how I would describe this Pinot Noir from the Thomas Brothers. Read the below if you want but this is the Pinot to get for special occasions, at £50 a bottle it’s not cheap. There’s flawless integration of tannins, red fruit, oak, with hints of chocolate and leather. There’s a smoothness to this dry red wine where nothing is out of place and a desire just to sip and enjoy.
It only got a bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards which I think is more down to price than quality. I loved this wine.
Amisfield, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2014, New Zealand
New Zealand Pinot Noir has a very good reputation and this 2014 from Amisfield shows why. There’s plenty of red and black fruit aromas and flavours with cherry being dominant but there are notes of chocolate, leather, coffee and an under lying earthiness to it all. Dry, smooth and quite light this is great on its own or with food, we had it with turkey and thought it paired very well.at £40 a bottle it’s not cheap.
The King’s Desire, Pinot Noir Rose, 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand
New Zealand Pinot Noir has a very good reputation, but things are changing and cheaper wines, especially pinot noir from New Zealand, are starting to come on the market. This is good if the quality can keep up with the lower price but I think this is an example where it’s slid in the wrong direction.
Its dry and crisp. You get aromas and flavours of raspberry and redcurrant but it’s a little bit on a flat side and a bit one dimensional. Normally New Zealand Pinot Noir has been at a much higher standard. At £13 a bottle, for a single bottle at majestic, its way over priced but at £8 bottle mix it’s fair value it’s hard to fault it at that price.
Eradus, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is pretty much in gained into British wine drinking society now and for good reason which this one from Eradus shows. Tropical flavours of pineapple, lemon, grapefruit and peach with a little green apple and gooseberry all nicely tied together. It’s dry, crisp and perfect for summer.
At £15 a bottle it’s possibly a little over priced but it’s a good solid Sauvignon Blanc.
Marisco, Pride and Glory, Sauvignon Blanc, 2015, New Zealand
This is the first Sauvignon Blanc from Marisco that I have tried and and the name is quite correct, they can certainly claim pride and glory in what they produced.
You get tropical notes with a bit of gooseberry a little butter and vanilla on the nose and flavours that are subtle reasonably complex but well integrated hint of oak finishes this off and it’s certainly an excellent wine it’s just a shame at £35 a bottle it’s out of reach of most people. The one that is equally as good and half the price that should be tried is the Greywacke standard range Sauvignon Blanc.