Two fragrant gewurztraminers, two racy dry rieslings and two dashing Otago pinot noirs should cover many bases, and if not, let your imagination run wild.
2023 Cicada Marlborough Gewurztraminer
Rating Excellent
Fragrant, perfumed,
white flowers, floral,
lychee, gum, a
minerally touch with air.
Hubba bubba gum,
sweetly fruited, spice
notes, lychee again,
supple and rounded
avoids the alcohol heat
that can befall some
gewurztraminer. Nicely
balanced, integrated
and open for business,
picking up a little
apricot kernel
bittersweet element
which nicely contrasts
the fruit sweetness.
2023 Misha’s Vineyard The Cadenza Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
Rating Excellent
Sweetly fragrant nose,
spices and candied
fruits, rose petal,
turkish delight.
Sumptuous, rich,
neatly managing a fine
line between the fruit
sweetness and
freshening acidity.
Adds some almondy
nuttiness and musk on
the long close. Not too
overly sweet so would
be a good companion
to cheeses and fresh
cut fruit.
2022 Ruru Central Otago Riesling
Rating Very good to excellent
A whiff of smoke,
citrussy nose, flecks
of honey, subtlety,
beginning to bloom
as it opens. Fine
boned and quite dry
with nice texture,
filling the mouth, the
fresh acidity gives a
firm impression.
Gentle and reserved
to a degree but I find
this growing on me
as it builds in flavour
intensity rather
nicely with aeration.
A slow burner.
2021 Domain Road The Water Race Bannockburn Dry Riesling
Rating Excellent
Rather lovely nose, a
dry impression yet
flecks of honey,
caraway seed and
green apple, florality
appearing with air.
Crisp and vibrant
palate, apple notes the
core with a seasoning
of Roses’ lime and a
lightly honeyed
backdrop. Nice energy
to this, quite dry, yet
with the fruit intensity
growing as it takes on
air. Rather delicious.
2021 Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent to outstanding
Leads with some
humus and fungi
aspects, perfume rising
up from beneath, ripe
plum and cherry
swelling, savoury
qualities, clay. Sweeter
fruits lead, a cooler
tamarillo aspect comes
into play as the tannins
and acidity rush in to
bring dryness that flows
through the wine.
Intensity of flavour and a
cooling influence to the
long, tangy finish.
Serious, structural
backbone, potential.
2022 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
Lovely florality, violets,
rose, spices, red fruits, a
sense of elegance.
Youthfully chewy, grainy
mouthfeel, a finer-boned
style, still a touch
gangly. Wood smoke,
savoury aspects,
schisty, cranberry, red
fruits, the chewy tannins
kicking into gear making
this seem even drier.
With its pale colour and
light body this could be
easily overlooked, yet
while it’s tight now,
there’s potential here.
