Succulent NZ wines for winter

PHIL PARKER demolishes eight remarkable Kiwi wines for winter drinking and somehow manages to review them as well.

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Cabernet Franc 2021 $38
Funky nose, gives way to ripe cassis, black cherry, spiced plum, dark berry fruits and a dry, lengthy finish. 4.5 Stars
Available:  pegasusbay.com  blackmarket.com 

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 28 Marlborough Pinot Blanc 2022 $33
Pinot blanc is a mutation of the pinot noir grape. In its homeland of Alsace, it can be lush, ripe and oily. This wine is taut and elegant with apricot, mandarin citrus and flinty minerality. 4.5 Stars 
Available: saintclair.co.nz

Dunnolly North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2024 $20
At a deceptive 13.5% ABV, fruity, delicate and off-dry. With quince, nectarine and juniper berry, plus nashi pear and mandarin citrus finish. 5 Stars
Available: dunnolly.co.nz

Dunnolly North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $20
Passionfruit and green capsicum on the nose. Subtle and elegant, with gooseberry, ripe mandarin citrus. Creamy mid palate and medium soft finish. 5 Stars 
Available: dunnolly.co.nz

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $36
Classic Sav aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry and herbs. Again, lean and elegant at 12.5% ABV.  Crisp palate of the above, plus lemon citrus, green capsicum and freshly shelled peas. 5 Stars 
Available: saintclair.co.nz

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Gewürztraminer 2024 $30
Wow. Lush and just nudging off-dry at 13.5% ABV. Spicy and tangy, with Turkish Delight, a hint of lychee fruit, cinnamon and mandarin citrus, with a lengthy spicy finish. 5 Stars
Available:  pegasusbay.com  blackmarket.com

Dunnolly North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023 $30
Bargain pinot!  Classic Burgundian style. Soft and ripe, with dark berry fruits, cassis and ripe black cherry. Christmas spices, plus Leathery, savoury umami. Lengthy finish. 5 Stars 
Available: dunnolly.co.nz

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Maestro Merlot/Malbec  2020 $67
Big ‘n’ bold with a hint of funky reductive handling. Ripe, generous and savoury, with cassis, plum, soy umami and liquorice. Soft but lengthy mid-tannin finish. 5 Stars
Available:  pegasusbay.com  blackmarket.com