10 (mostly Kiwi) wines you should try

October 22, 2024

wine reviews november new zealand When PHIL PARKER isn’t drinking and writing about it he’s taking avid drinkers on tours of Auckland wineries. Below is a superb selection of his current tipples.

wine reviews november new zealand Whyte Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $22
Not the big, punchy typical Marlborough style. Light, elegant and subtle at 12.5% ABV. Fresh squeezed black currant, cape gooseberry. Dry, clean mandarin citrus finish.
Available: Dhall & Nashย  blackmarket.com

Folium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $31
Similarly subtle lighter style, but a step up in intensity and alcohol at 13.5% ABV. More intense gooseberry, slightly creamy, with mandarin citrus. Dry, lengthy finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wine blackmarket.com

Loveblock Marlborough Gewรผrztraminer (organic/vegan) 2023 $24
From Kim Crawfordโ€™sย  Awatere Valley organic vineyard.ย  An epic NZ gewรผrztraminer. So much going on โ€“ passionfruit, ginger in syrup, makrut lime, Turkish Delight, mandarin marmalade,ย  tangy yeast and sweet honeysuckle. Lengthy medium sweet finish. Absolute bargain.
Available: Fine O Wine, Glengarryย  blackmarket.com

Whyte Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2023 $21
Crisp, lean, dry and elegant. Subtle floral citrus aromas. Minerality, raw almond, light oaky spice, apricot, quince, lemon and nectarine. Bone dry finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash

wine reviews november new zealand Main Divide North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023 $22
Five stars! Stunningly good chardonnay. Straw gold with a hint of reductive funky aroma. Generous and packed with flavour. Grapefruit marmalade, crรจme brulรฉ, poached nectarine, golden queen peach and apricot. Lengthy glorious finish.
Available:ย  pegasusbay.comย  finewinedelivery.co.nz

wine reviews november new zealand Chรขteau Gassier Esprit Gassier Provence Esprit Rosรฉ 2022 $26
Bone dry, typical Provence rosรฉ. Lean and crisp, yet at 13.5% ABV. Nuanced hints of strawberries and cream, almond cherry nougat, and pink marshmallows. Clean citrus lime finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wine, Liquorland

McArthur Ridge Brassknocker Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $25
New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy and a gold at the 2024 NZ International Wine Challenge. A bargain. Very much on the funky, earthy end of the spectrum. Gamey and earthy, with mushroom, truffle, cassis, blackberry fruit, stewed plum and smoky, dry lengthy finish.
Available: New World,ย  vineonline.co.nz vinofino.co.nzย  mcarthurridge.com

wine reviews november new zealand Frank Cornellisen Susucaru Sicily Rosso (organic, natural) $56
Frank Cornellisen is a cult figure in the Sicilian wine scene and beyond. His approach is โ€˜hands-offโ€™ winemaking with very little intervention, and fermentation in neutral epoxy-lined containers. This wine is made from indigenous nerello mascalese grapes. This is quite a challenging wine. It looks like a light plum red rose, but is very tannic, with subtle red cherry, raspberry, plum and savoury earthy mushroom.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wine bythebottle.co.nz

wine reviews november new zealand Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noirย  (organic) 2022 $43
Consistently great pinot noir from Rockburn. Elegant light-bodied yet generous and seductive. A softer style of pinot, with ripe red and black cherry fruit,ย  Black Doris plum, Christmas cake spices and a light soy sauce umami. Soft tannins.
Available: widely.
wine reviews november new zealand De Martino Estate Maipo Chile Carmenรจreย  2022 $25
Big, inky and earthy. Smoky and gamey flavours with Cuban cigar, black plum, dark chocolate, prune and truffle. 14% ABV. Assertive, yet medium tannins. Long dry funky finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wine blackmarket.com

 

Avatar photo

Originally a physiotherapist, Phil's fascination with the fermented grape juice led to the launch of his wine tour company Auckland Fine Wine & Food Tours at the turn of the century. A seasoned and well-respected wine writer, Phil's oenophilia led to the publication of his wine region guide to New Zealand, The Mad Keen Wine Buff's Road Trip (Random House).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Give a little to support Witchdoctor's quest to save high quality independent journalism. It's easy and painless! Just donate $5 or $10 to our PressPatron account by clicking on the button below.

Authors

WIn a Wiim Ultra Network Music Streamer with Witchdoctor.co.nz
Panasonic Fire TV Be Mesmerised with next gen AI TV
Advance Paris - Designed with French flair. Amplifiers, Streamers, CD players and more www.pqimports.co.nz
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review smartphone
Previous Story

Motorola’s Edge 50 Pro: a flagship smartphone in all but price

Technics CX700 wireless active speakers review
Next Story

Technicsโ€™ SC-CX700: smart speakers for smart spaces

Latest from Food & Drink

Crafty Corner: winter hops

ASHTON BROWN proves that hops put a spring in your step even in the depths of winter by supping on crazy, hazy and even
Go toTop