Phil ParkerPHIL PARKER celebrates the hint of warmer temperatures and the slow segue into summer with another selection of tasty wines.
Here’s to daffs and jonquils and cute wee lambs!
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2023 $40
Slightly funky. Dry and mineral, with herbal thyme, beeswax, orange peel, mandarin citrus and a long complex dry flinty finish.
Available: Caro’s pegasusbay.com
Whyte Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $16
Soft and herbal, restrained and elegant. Fresh picked black currant, guava, and passionfruit, with a hint of citrus and feijoa.
Available: Dhall & Nash blackmarket.com
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2022 $44
A tad of flinty struck match on the nose. Pear and nectarine stone fruit, raw cashew nut, a hint of spicy oak, and mandarin citrus. Flinty mineral tangy yeast finish.
Available: kumeuriver.co.nz finewinedelivery.co.nz
Postage Stamp Ariki Waiheke Special Release Chardonnay 2020 $70
Mineral and full-bodied, from a great year for grapes. Hints of sandalwood and flinty salinity, backed up by stone fruit, lime citrus, raw almond. Bone dry, lengthy finish.
Available: postagestampwines.co.nz Case offer $69/bottle, 6 units per case
Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk3 NV $27
A non-vintage white blend of about 60% semillon, with sauvignon blanc, gewürztraminer, muscat and riesling. Grassy, herbal, and slightly sweet. A hint of toffee apple, guava, frangipani, makrut lime and grapefruit marmalade.
Available: pegasusbay.com
Valli Waitaki Vineyard North Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $84
Stunningly good wine. Definitely in my personal top ten. Velvety and full-bodied, with spiced Black Doris plum, black cherry, cassis, liquorice, grilled umami mushroom. Silky tannins segue into a lengthy memorable finish.
Available: regionalwines.co.nz accentonwine.co.nz
Ogier Héritages Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2022 $25.00
Founded in 1859, Chateaux Ogier is located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône region of France. 80% unoaked. Syrah Mourvèdre dominant. This is a good value blended red. Black cherry, Black Doris plum, cassis, violet florals, and Cuban cigar. Hints of black pepper, juniper and spicy oak. Drink now style.
Available: Farro Fresh, Dhall & Nash blackmarket.com
Pegasus Bay Vergence Red Mk3 NV $40
A totally fab non-vintage red from Pegasus Bay. Predominantly pinot noir with 5% malbec. Ripe black berry fruits, with cherry, cassis, Christmas cake spices and a gorgeous soft medium mouthfeel. Aged in French oak for about 16 months. Soft tannins and an umami savoury long finish.
Available: pegasusbay.com
Postage Stamp Camino Tempranillo Waiheke Island 2021 $57
Spicy, tannic, and full-bodied. Has spent 15% in new American Oak, thereafter in old American oak barrels. Deep purple and dark, with intense flavours of cassis, Christmas cake spices, blackberry summer fruit and some herbal notes. Bone dry, smoky, tannic, oaky, lengthy finish.
Available: postagestampwines.co.nz
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2023 $45
Lots going on – intense honeysuckle, raisin, apricot jam, marmalade and mandarin citrus. Segues into an off-dry, lengthy finish.
Available: pegasusbay.com
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 375ml 2021 $34
Definitely a dessert style, but a deceptive 13.5% ABV. A kaleidoscope of luscious flavours including fresh-cut pineapple, canned pink guava, apricot jam, quince paste and ginger in syrup with a hint of grassy herbs.
Available: Herne Bay Cellars pegasusbay.com
