New Releases April 2010

Spy Valley Marlborough Envoy Riesling 2009

Subtle and deceptively seductive wine with sweet juicy fruit with a strong mineral backbone, only 9% alcohol and a perfect example of a classic German style Riesling that is all class, about $29 in NZ at www.spyvalleywine.co.nz.

Sileni “The Lodge” Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008

This wine has been a consistent performer over many vintages and this latest release is no exception. Ripe grapefruit, creamy toasty oak with hints of butterscotch on the finish, a real crowd pleaser, about $28 in NZ.

Dry River Martinborough Pinot Gris 2009

Intensely aromatic with rose petals and spice, ripe stone fruit on palate succulent and beautifully textured wine with immense weight and concentration, gorgeous drinking now but winemaker McCallum recommends cellaring for some years, about $50 from www.dryriver.co.nz

Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Sweet passionfruit and gooseberry flavours leap out of the glass, bright crisp and refreshing drinking, a lovely example of New Zealand’s best known wine, about $19 in NZ.

Brown Brothers Special Late Harvested Orange Muscat & Flora 2009

Fresh and sweet but not at all cloying, showing pure ripe fruit flavours and a long sweet finish, alcohol only 9.5% this wine was a star when served with Kapiti Shades of Blue Cheese, about $16 for 375ml in NZ.

Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008

Okay I know this wine will be almost impossible to buy unless you are lucky enough to be on the Dry River mailing list, but it is simply superb. Dark densely coloured, with a bouquet of spice and chocolate, rich and silky smooth with ripe cherry flavours, appears lighter in style but has  real elegance and a long sweet finish, don’t be fooled by the palate weight this one will last, about $82 from Dry River.

Ti Point Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009

Ripe melon and hints of smoky oak lead through to a totally delightful wine, light fruity undemanding and most enjoyable with smoked chicken and melon salad, about $20 in NZ.