New Zealand Listener – June 01, 2019

JUNE 1 2019 LISTENER 41

considerable complexity and a

fresh, smooth finish. $25

Pegasus Bay

Chardonnay 2017

Estate-grown in

North Canterbury,

this is a highly

impressive, youthful

wine. Powerful and

weighty (14% alc/

vol), it is invit-

ingly fragrant, with

intense, grapefruit-

like flavours gently

seasoned with biscuity French

oak, notable complexity and

obvious ageing potential. $43

Spade Oak The

Prospect Gisborne

Chardonnay 2017

Gisborne in a glass,

this seductively

smooth wine was

barrel-fermented.

It has substantial

body (13.5% alc/

vol), deep, ripe,

citrusy, peachy,

slightly nutty flavours that

show good complexity and a

well-rounded finish. $28

Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay

Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Here’s proof of just how crisp,

lively and refreshing sauvi-

gnon blanc from Hawke’s Bay

can be. A punchy, medium-

bodied wine (12% alc/vol), it

has good intensity of green

capsicum and lime-evoking

flavours, which are tangy, dry

and persistent. $22

Whitehaven Marlborough

Chardonnay 2018

Slightly creamy in texture, this

youthful wine is delicious from

the start. Fragrant and full-

bodied (13% alc/vol), it has

rich stonefruit flavours, gently

seasoned with biscuity oak,

good complexity, balanced

acidity and a smooth, lengthy

finish. $28

Wrights Reserve Organic

Gisborne Chardonnay 2018

Certified organic, this barrel-

aged wine is already drinking

well. Full-bodied (14% alc/

vol), it has concentrated, ripe

stonefruit flavours, savoury

notes adding complexity and a

creamy-smooth finish. $30

ROSÉ

Alchemy Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018

This yummy wine was made

from hand-picked merlot

grapes. Pale pink, it is mouth-

filling (13% alc/vol) and lively,

with peach, strawberry and

spice flavours showing very

good delicacy and freshness

and a finely balanced, smooth

finish. Priced right. $20

REDS

Auntsfield Single

Vineyard Southern

Valleys Marlborough

Pinot Noir 2017

Estate grown on

north-facing slopes,

this classy, powerful

wine has bold, pur-

ple-flushed colour.

Mouthfilling (14%

alc/vol) and sweet

fruited, it is overflowing with

ripe, plummy, spicy flavours

showing good tannin back-

bone and obvious cellaring

potential. $45

Babich Winemakers’ Reserve

Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015

Likely to be long-lived, this

Gimblett Gravels red was

grown in the Irongate vineyard.

Fragrant, with a warm, ripe,

savoury bouquet, it is mouth-

filling (13.5% alc/vol), with

deep, plummy, spicy, nutty

flavours and shows excellent

structure and complexity. $35

Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago

Pinot Noir 2017

This graceful red was estate

grown at Gibb-

ston. Floral and

deeply coloured,

it is full-bodied

(13% alc/vol) and

sweet-fruited, with

bold, vibrant red-

berry, plum, spice,

dried herb and nut

flavours that are

concentrated and

very harmonious.

$57

Coopers Creek Select Vineyards

Gimblett Gravels Cabernet/Merlot

2016

Unfolding well, this blended

red is full coloured, mouth-

filling (13.5% alc/vol) and

vibrantly fruity, with fresh

blackcurrant, plum and spice

flavours that show excellent

ripeness and depth. $28

Fromm Cuvée H Marlborough

Pinot Noir 2017

Certified organic, this lovely,

multi-site red is labelled in

honour of Hätsch Kalberer,

Fromm’s winemaker. Full

coloured and mouthfilling

(13.5% alc/vol), it has gener-

ous, vibrant, youthful cherry,

plum and spice flavours that

are finely structured, supple

and persistent. $65

Mt Beautiful North Canterbury

Pinot Noir 2017

This classy young red was

estate grown in Cheviot.

Bright ruby, it is fragrant and

full-bodied (13% alc/vol), with

concentrated, ripe cherry and

plum flavours, hints of herbs

and spices, savoury notes

adding complexity and the

structure to age well. $32

Mt Difficulty Bannockburn

Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016

This red is deservedly popular.

Bright ruby, fresh and sturdy

(14.5% alc/vol), it has gener-

ous ripe cherry, plum and spice

flavours and shows excellent

complexity and fine-grained

tannins. Elegant, rather than

supercharged. $47

Neudorf Tom’s Block Nelson Pinot

Noir 2016

A great introduction to the

winery style, this is a savoury,

supple Upper Moutere red.

Fragrant and full-bodied

(13.5% alc/vol), it has cherry-

ish, spicy, nutty flavours and

shows excellent complexity

and plenty of current-drinking

appeal. $33

Terrace Edge

Waipara Valley Pinot

Noir 2016

Certified organic,

this youthful red

was hand-picked

and barrel aged.

Bright ruby, it is

fragrant, full-

bodied (13.5% alc/

vol), sweet-fruited

and savoury, with

generous cherry,

plum and spice flavours and

shows good complexity and

harmony. $30

Two Rivers Tributary Marlborough

Pinot Noir 2017

This is an elegant, youthful

red, grown in the Southern

Valleys. Deep, bright ruby, it

is fragrant, with good body

(13% alc/vol), strong, berry-

ish, slightly spicy and nutty

flavours and shows excellent

freshness and complexity and

has a savoury, smooth finish.

$36

Vidal Reserve Gimblett

Gravels Merlot/

Cabernet Sauvignon

2017

This top-value

Hawke’s Bay red was

barrel aged for 18

months. Fragrant,

full coloured and

fruit packed, it has

very good body

(13% alc/vol) and

depth of vibrant, plummy,

spicy flavours. $20 l