Phil ParkerWitchdoctor wine guru PHIL PARKER finds some wines to cheer us up as we try to escape the clutches of late winter blues.
Okay – here we go folks. Spring is almost upon us, yet as I write from the Auckland mancave, the outdoor temperatures are hovering around 12 C and we have intermittent grey, gloomy wet days interspersed with winter sun and blue skies and…
But hey – wine! Good friends and winter food beckon. Cheers.
Giesen ‘The August’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $40
Oak barrel fermented, and lees aged, this is a crisp and elegant take on Marlborough sav. Medium acids and a deceptive 13% alcohol. Subtle flavours of fresh black currant, gooseberry, green tomato, and a hint of fresh-cut herbs.
Available: Glengarry
Bogle Clarksburg Chenin Blanc 2021 $30
Another winner from California’s Bogle label. Flavours of spiced apple crumble, pink guava, clover honey, fresh-cut pineapple and poached pear. Kind of like a muscular Vouvray Chenin blanc. Tangy and complex.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Pt Chev Organic Wines, blackmarket.co.nz
Clayvin Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $53
Elegant and suitably mature as a 6-year-old chardonnay. Medium-bodied, biscuity and creamy, with toasted almond, grapefruit, lemon citrus and ripe nectarine. Crisp dry, lengthy yeasty finish.
Available: Glengarry, Caro’s finewinedelivery.co.nz
Francis Coppola Sofia Monterey County Rosé 2020 $45
Lightly blush pink in an elegant bottle. Restrained nose with a hint of toffee apple, but opens up with delicate raspberry coulis, strawberry and layers of red berry fruits in a bone-dry style.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wine stores, blackmarket.co.nz
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Clayvin Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $57
A premium Giesen brand from low-cropping vines. Soft and savoury, medium-bodied style. Tamarillo, black cherry, plum and earthy savoury mushroom with a dash of smoky lapsang souchong tea.
Available: Caro’s, thegoodwine.co.nz
Ara Resolute Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 $35
Vegan, and BioGro certified. Lean and elegant. Savoury dominant and dry, with soy and mushroom. Cranberry fruit and liquorice, plum and cigar.
Available: www.arawines.co.nz
Bogle Clarksburg Pinot Noir 2021 $29
Medium-bodied in classic Burgundian style. Dark berries, mocha coffee notes, with a nudge of umami savoury. Medium acids and tannins. Dry finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Fine O Wines, blackmarket.co.nz
Giesen Ridge Block Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $56
Multi-awarded. Simply gorgeous. Classic Burgundian medium-bodied style. Ripe, fruity and generous. Hints of cigar, spiced plum, ripe black cherry, black tea, mocha and boysenberry. Available: giesen.co.nz
Francis Coppola Director’s Cut Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Zinfandel 2019 $56
Big, bold and fabulous. What one would expect from a Californian zinfandel. Especially from the director of The Godfather. Intense cassis, spiced plum, ripe black cherry, dark chocolate, fruitcake, stewed prune, and a lengthy tannic finish. 15.5% alcohol.
Available: Dhall & Nash, regionalwines.co.nz
Francis Coppola Director’s Cut Alexander Valley Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $56
Full-bodied and ripe at 14.5%. Typical cab flavours of cassis, black olive, juicy black summer berry fruits, Ghana dark chocolate, and plum pudding. Lengthy, dusty tannic finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash
