May Selection

Here we go, folks. After a long absence I have finally got my act together to post another selection of reviews.

 Loveblock Marlborough Gewürztraminer (organic/vegan) 2021 $26
From Kim Crawford’s  organic Loveblock vineyard, overlooking the Awatere Valley. Just a tad of sweetness, but essentially dry and elegant. Delicate integrated palate of rosewater, lychee, pink guava, and mandarin. Tangy, lengthy finish. Fabbo!
Available: widely.

Westbrook Waimauku Albariño 2023  $45
First one off the new block of albariño at Westbrook’s Waimauku vineyard near Kumeu. Made by the renowned James Rowan. Gorgeous and complex, opening up with mineral salinity and mandarin citrus. Then jasmine and honeysuckle on the mid palate and a tangy lengthy finish. Yum.
Available: westbrook.co.nz

De Martino Viejas Tinajas Chile Muscat 2022 $45
Unusually dry for a muscat. Aged in earthenware amphorae. Golden hued, with a slight haze. Floral notes of rosewater and jasmine, plus ripe pineapple, and white peach. Dry finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash  Fine O Wine

Clevedon Vineyard Munros Road Arneis $32
Another very dry white style. Arneis is relatively rare in NZ. Flavours of apricot, frangipane tart, and herbal basil leaf, with soft acids but very dry finish.
Available: Dhall & Nash clevedonvineyard.co.nz

Mont’Albano Nero D’Avola Sicilia Italy (organic) 2022 $26
Voluptuous and silky. Intense flavours of cassis, fruitcake, black berry fruits and a core of medium tannins. Ripe and seductive.
Available: Dhall & Nash, Herne Bay Cellars

De Martino Viejas Tinajas Chile Cinsault 2018 $45
Cinsaut is the fourth most widely planted grape variety in France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This Chilean wine is nicely aged, soft and rounded. Would pass for a premium pinot noir in a blind tasting. Mainly savoury characters of soy, mushroom, and truffle. But wrapped up in dark fruit flavours of cassis, black cherry, and dark chocolate.
Available: Dhall & Nash

Bohemian ‘The Author’ Hawkes Bay Merlot 2023 $26
Great wine from a difficult vintage when Cyclone Gabrielle blitzed many vineyards in Hawkes Bay. Soft tannins, red cherry, plum jam and dark chocolate with a hint of raspberry and  a hint of toffee apple.
Available: Dhall & Nash vineonline.co.nz

Mont’Albano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Italy (organic) 2022 $24
Big and generous with a savoury oak backbone. The classic wine of Abruzzo in Italy, an Italian red made from the Montepulciano grape variety. This wine is ripe, and almost sweet, with boysenberry, cassis, spiced plum, almond and leather. Medium to firm  tannins. Hints of soy and truffle.
 Available: Dhall & Nash bythebottle.co.nz

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