Three and Three - Wines from NZ and USA

A First up, two wines from Kim Crawford’s certified organic Marlborough estate. Then an absolute ripper Albariño from Marlborough’s Leftfield label. To finish, three wines from Cristom winery - an Oregon wine producer and vineyard based in the Eola-Amity Hills wine region within the Willamette Valley. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit Cristom as part of a wine research trip to California and Portland.

Loveblock Organic Marlborough Pinot Gris 2020 $21
Crisp and clean, with fresh cut pineapple, Nashi pear and jasmine, plus a hint of green tea. Fruity and technically dry but complex and full flavoured with a tangy citrus finish.  Great with seafood or Thai foods. Available: Pt. Chev Organic Wines.

Loveblock Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $22
A generous and lush version of Marlborough Sav. Fruity and full of ripe blackcurrant flavours, with sweet ripe nectarine and guava with a tad of grassy herbals. Shows complexity from partial wild yeast barrel ferment and malolactic.  Match with seafood, pasta and chicken. Available: Glengarry 

Left Field Gisborne Albariño 2020 $16
Lovely wine, and a refreshing take on a variety that can come off in NZ as lean and mineral. Pale gold with grassy aromas. Rich palate of mandarin, elderflower, a hint of rock melon and a crisp, clean finish. Great with Thai cuisine and rich seafood dishes.  Available: blackmarket.co.nz, Vino Fino

Cristom Willamette Valley Mt. Jefferson USA Chardonnay 2018 $75
For a USA chardonnay, this is much more in the current NZ style – crisp and mineral with lots of citrus and subtle oak influence. Subtle nose, with mandarin, clover honey, hazelnut oak and a dry lengthy finish. Match with seafood or creamy chicken pasta. Available: Star Superette Wines Karangahape Road, Onslow restaurant Princes St.

Cristom Willamette Valley Mt. Jefferson USA Pinot Noir 2018 $109
Definitely one to put away for 4 to 5 years. Young and savoury with firm tannins and lots of black cherry, plum and spice with a hint of tobacco. Bursting with flavours, a precocious youngster that should be a debutante in a few years. Match with beef casserole or ratatouille. Available: Herne Bay Cellars, Ahi restaurant Commercial Bay.

Cristom Willamette Valley Mt. Jefferson USA Pinot Noir 2019 $75
More approachable and softer than the 2018, with smoky flavours and a hint of tar. Medium tannins, cherry, plum and truffle with a dash of soy sauce umami oomph! Would be fab with mushroom dishes or venison. Available: Herne Bay Cellars.

 

Phil hosts Wine & Food tours in Auckland New Zealand