Chenin Blanc & Pinot Blanc have been around the scene for years.
Yet still they have been restricted to a dedicated band of wineries.
Grüner Veltliner and Albariño are relative newcomers, with the latter in particular really riding a wave.
Pinot Noir Rosé is not uncommon of course, but this version adds its own twist, while St Laurent is produced by only four, or perhaps five producers. Enjoy the mix!
2020 St Clair Pioneer Block 28 Camp Block Pinot Blanc
Rating Excellent
Boldly fragrant, peach,
stonefruit, smoke,
perhaps mango and
salinity too? Sensing
richness. Powerful
fruit leads, fat and rich
in the mouth, before a
touch of fruit pith adds
to the texture bringing
chewiness and
dryness. Stone fruits
now, perhaps banana
skin, a nutty/cashew
nut element at its core,
palate weight at its
heart with the acidity
and chewiness a foil.
Rather good.
2022 Forrest Marlborough Chenin Blanc
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Gunflint, stewed apple,
straw, citrus, lightly
honeyed. A fascinating
grainy aspect
enhances the texture, a
backdrop to the
interplay between fruit
sweetness and zesty
acidity, while a surge of
granny smith apple
frames the close. The
struck match reduction
more evident with time,
the honey on the nose
joins the finish. With its
bright acidity a great
foil for creamy dishes.
2023 Yealands Estate S.V Awatere Valley Albarino
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
The nose bounds out
of the glass, peach,
wood smoke, a
skerrick of herb, apricot
later…more about the
sum of the parts. Nose
suggests fatness but
the palate contrasts
that with a powerful
core of acidity, lending
a tingly quality. Stony
minerals, citrus on a
backdrop of stonefruits
with a long, cool racy
close. Drive and
vibrancy, an impact
wine, ready to
complement food.
2023 Riverby Estate S.V Marlborough Gruner Veltliner
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Beguiling nose, ripe
peach, rose’s lime
cordial, pencil lead,
spice, a peppery
influence. Delightfully
creamy palate fills the
mouth, richness &
textural impact, all the
while balanced and
integrated with crispness
and chewy touches.
Searching for specific
flavours is superfluous
here, as it charms so
well as a whole. Full of
flavour, simply lovely.
2023 Two Paddocks Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Deeper colour than the
current trend. The nose
swells with fruit jube,
dried strawberry, cherry
and an attractive savoury
quality. The palate takes
those notes and ramps
them up, savoury
aspects evident, adding
plum and a whisper of
peppery spice,
pomegranate & cranberry
later. Fruit sweetness,
snapped into line by crisp
acidity. A crossover into
light red territory.
Delicious.
2022 Forrest Marlborough St Laurent
Rating Excellent
Deep and dark,
smoky, savoury
qualities to the fore,
darker fruits, a touch
of bramble, cranberry
and perfume with air.
Sweeter fruits in the
mouth, red fruits and
raspberry, lead pencil,
juicy, tangy, lively
with real freshness on
the close. The nose
grows significantly
with aeration, exuding
richness, while its
latent power and fine
chewy tannins are on
show. Impressive.
