Phil ParkerAnother month, another bottle (or 10). PHIL PARKER’s been drinking again and here are his top recommendations for the month.
Main Divide North Canterbury Gewürztraminer 2024 $22
4.5 Stars Light and fragrant, with a hint of spritzy CO2. Fermented in oak and aged for 3 months in barrel. Turkish Delight, lemon squash, lychee fruit and a hint of spicy clove. 13% ABV.
Available: pegasusbay.com finewinedelivery.co.nz
Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2024 $22
5 Stars: Gorgeous and bursting with flavour. Partially aged on yeast lees to add complexity. Grapefruit, pink guava, pineapple, lychee and clover honey. Generous and oily at 15.5% ABV, tangy and lengthy finish. Great value.
Available: widely
Main Divide North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $22
4 Stars Light, dry and subtle with fresh black currant, gooseberry, and Rose’s lime juice. Medium acids and a dry, crisp finish. 12.5% ABV
Available: pegasusbay.com blackmarket.com
Main Divide North Canterbury Rosé 2024 $22
4.5 Stars Just nudging off-dry and at 12.5% ABV. Strawberries, ripe red cherry, creaming soda and a hint of marshmallow.
Available: pegasusbay.com blackmarket.com
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Rhône Valley Viognier 2023 $24
4.5 Stars The classic white grape of the Rhône, this viognier is dry and elegant at 13.5% ABV. Subtle flavours of poached pear, triple sec, clover honey and blond tobacco, with a hint of baking spice.
Available: Dall & Nash blackmarket.com
Niepoort Drink Me Nat Cool Bairadda Tinto Portugal 2022 $33
5 Stars In a funky 1-litre bottle. Made from hand-harvested indigenous baga grapes. Very approachable, soft and ripe at 11.5% ABV. Spice, poached plum, cherry almond, and umami earthy mushroom. Would pass for a Pinot Noir in a blind tasting. Chill for summer sipping.
Available: Dall & Nash, Fine O Wines
Château La Chapelle Vin de Bordeaux Maillard Rouge (organic) 2020 $25
5 Stars From the Saint Emilion appellation. Ripe, soft and generous with cassis, blackberry fruit, soy, spiced plum, stewed prune and hint of earthiness.
Available: Dall & Nash, Fine O Wines blackmarket.com
Pares Balta Cava Catalonia Spain (organic) NV $28
4.5 Stars Produced from three indigenous Spanish grapes – parellada, macabeu and xarel-lo, this is a bone-dry crisp sparkler. Mineral, yeasty aromas lead on to a clean and crisp palate of yeast and minerality with a hint of Granny Smith apple and citrus.
Available: Dall & Nash blackmarket.com
No 1 Family Assemblé $36
5 stars Traditional bottle fermented sparkler from No 1 Family of Marlborough. Creamy and seamless, with a frothy mousse. Apple sauce, grapefruit marmalade, plus yeasty croissant from extended lees ageing. Crisp, tangy mineral finish. Superb.
Available: Glengarry no1familyestate.co.nz
Besos Margarita Habanero ‘Fiery blend’ 700ml $45
4 Stars A Margarita mixer, crafted with Habanero chillies from the Yucatán Peninsula. Initially, quite smooth at 15% ABV, with medium sweet flavours of grapefruit, tequila and fresh lime juice. Once swallowed – a spicy kick of hot chilli at the back of the throat. Would be great over ice or mixed with soda.
Available: Dhall & Nash
