Celebrating the new year with some fine wine

PHIL PARKER is relieved that we’ve got a new year to contemplate over some wonderful tipples from, well… years gone by!

Let’s celebrate that we’ve made it to another year! Here’s a bunch of gems to share with your nearest and dearest. Very best wishes.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône Parallele 45 Blanc (organic) 2021 $25
An intriguing blend of six classic Rhône white grapes. Bone dry and restrained. Tastes very much like a French Chenin blanc, with minerality, salinity, a hint of jasmine and a tangy dry finish.
Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône Parallele 45 Rouge (organic) 2020 $25
Rich, fragrant and ripe. Fruity and concentrated with blackcurrant, dark cherry, pepper, Cuban cigar, and a long smoky finish.
Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash

Giesen Mosel Reiler Goldlay Riesling 2019 $26
From a vineyard on the banks of the river Mosel in Germany, purchased by Nelson’s Giesen brothers in the early 1990s. This is a classic dry German Riesling, with beeswax aromas, honeysuckle, grapefruit, and a hint of toffee. Crisp lemon sherbet dry finish.
Available: Glengarry, Fine Wine Delivery Co.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $40
Savoury, silky and sumptuous. Lots of savoury umami truffle and mushroom. Ripe black cherry, cassis and plums, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate with soft tannins.
Available: widely

Folium Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $32
A deceptive 13.5% alcohol, lovely, aged style. Hints of black cherry, almond and Christmas cake but dominated by savoury mushroom and soy sauce.
Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash

Lamarca Prosecco NV $25
Bargain festive Italian sparkler to appeal to everyone. Smells like apple sauce with a whiff of grassy herbal notes. It is pale gold in the glass with frothy bubbles. Just off-dry, crisp and fruity with pear, apple and hint of spice.
Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash

Parés Baltà Cava Brut (organic, biodynamic) NV $22
From the Catalonia region in Spain, this Champagne method sparkler is great value. Made from a blend of three indigenous grapes. Bone dry, yeasty and crisp, with a hint of green apple. Refreshing clean citrus finish.
Available: blackmarket.co.nz Dahl & Nash

André Clouet Grand Reserve Champagne Brut NV $58
Pale gold with a fine bead. Flavours of canned peach, citrus, apricot frangipane, yeasty brioche and toasty oak. Crisp clean mineral finish with a hint of sweet clover honey.
Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Caro’s, Herne Bay Cellars, Dhall & Nash

No 1 Family Estate Rosé Non-Vintage $49
Gold medal winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022. Made from 100% Pinot Noir. In the mouth, it has a rich and complex palate of cherry/almond, a hint of strawberry and a tangy yeasty mid-palate with a dry, mineral finish.
Available: Widely, and Pt Chev Organic wines, Glengarry.

No 1 Family Estate Cuveé Non-Vintage $38
Multi-award-winning and made from 100% chardonnay in a blanc de blanc style. Crisp and dry with stone fruit, lemon zest, clover honey and a hint of yeasty brioche with fine beaded bubbles.
Available: Widely, and Glengarry.

No 1 Family Estate Cuveé Adele 2016 $270
The ultimate festive splurge! In a limited release of just 150 bottles, crafted by Daniel Le Brun for his wife Adele, this is the 3^rd release. Superbly elegant wine, an 80/20 chardonnay/pinot noir blend. Dry, with a creamy mousse, crisp citrus acidity, brioche yeasty tang and floral stone fruit flavours.
Available: Glengarry www.no1familyestate.co.nz