This month’s new releases include two very pricey wines; both are exceptional and well worth their price. They are excellent cellar prospects, and if kept in the right conditions will continue to develop for a number of years, they are true investment wines.

Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2006

From an excellent vintage this is simply superb wine. Allowed to mature and only released when ready to drink it offers an earthy savoury almost meaty bouquet. Dark rich berry fruit flavours layered seamlessly with smoky oak, silky smooth texture and long sweet finish, drinking well now but will continue to develop, the winery suggests 8-12 years, about $84 in NZ.

Dry River Chardonnay 2008

Dry River wines are to me always made with that special balance of power and subtlety. Delicate nutty toasty aromas lead on to sweet citrus fruit flavours. This is a concentrated rich wine, powerful but restrained, the winery suggests 4-7 years cellaring, about $52 in NZ (from the winery).

Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2008

The Stoneleigh brand is one of the best value for money Chardonnay’s available. This new release offers crisp lemony citrus flavours; a light lick of oak fills out the middle palate the finish is long and sweet, an immensely appealing wine, often found priced well below the recommended retail, about $22 in NZ.

Brown Brothers Merlot 2006

Brown Brothers always produce smart affordable wines with the added bonus of some bottle ageing this is a top drop. Plum and berry fruit aroma, spicy oak and sweet ripe tannins, on the palate a rich robust wine that is drinking beautifully right now, about $19 in NZ.

Lindauer Sauvignon Blanc

With such a lot of surplus Sauvignon Blanc grapes available it was only a matter of time before a new way to make the most of the excess was found. So the Lindauer brand has a new member and it certainly seems to hit the right spot for summer drinking. Big passionfruit aroma, fresh, crisp and bursting with gooseberry flavours, this bubbly is perfect for a summer lunch, or beach picnic, about $14 in NZ.

Camshorn Waipara Dry Riesling 2008

Hurrah at last a Riesling label that describers exactly what is in the bottle, dry wine. Mineral and fresh lime juice aroma, very crisp and dry but showing toasty honeyed flavours on the palate, was a perfect match for a smoked fish salad. Serious food style that will be at its peak in 3-4 years, about $27 in NZ.