![]() ![]() This is the best-value Chardonnay on the market, especially on special – as it often is – at under $15. Invitingly aromatic, with penetrating melon, lime and green-capsicum flavours, it’s typically an intensely varietal wine with lots of youthful impact. The Brancott Estate brand replaced Montana in the company’s export markets several years ago, due to its obvious unsuitability for the full-of-potential US market. This huge-selling wine is ‘the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc,’ says its producer, Pernod Ricard NZ, because it is descended directly from the pioneering label, Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, launched in 1979. From a stunning terraced vineyard, la collina (Italian for ‘the hill’) on the north and north-west flanks of Roys Hill, overlooking the Gimblett Gravels, it is a majestic Hawke’s Bay red, dark, beautifully fragrant and weighty, with dense plum, spice, nut and slight liquorice flavours, complex and built for the long haul.īrancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ![]() This is arguably New Zealand’s greatest Syrah, although less hyped than others. Rich, complex and age-worthy, it’s produced in reasonable volumes, but is still a magical mix of power and finesse. This benchmark Pinot Noir is the region’s greatest, with a superb string of vintages back to 1984. Packed with vibrant, plummy, spicy flavour, smooth and lingering, it can be remarkably good for a third-tier label, and irresistible value. (The wines have been listed alphabetically, so don’t read anything into their order.)Īs an introduction to the drink-young charm of Central Otago’s reds, this is hard to beat. I could easily compile a second list of 25 completely different, highly important wines, and other critics would come up with yet another selection. Regardless of whether your interest is in the country’s greatest wines, or those that offer the greatest value, the 25 featured here all make a huge contribution.ĭon’t treat this list too seriously, but simply as a starting point for discussion. To help celebrate the milestone 25th edition of the Buyer’s Guide, here are 25 labels that all lovers of New Zealand wine should taste from time to time. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |