Welcome to this week’s column – a down to earth look at some interesting local and international releases that I have come across over the last few weeks.

Awatere River Méthode Traditionelle NV - Marlborough

Available from $26.99

It’s aways a pleasure tasting good New Zealand Méthode and this new release from Awatere River was a very impressive effort from a producer who has a well-won following for their excellent still wines. Produced using the time-honoured bottle fermentation process from the classic Champagne varietals of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, it is a bright and vibrant style with plenty of complexity in the glass. Citrus, white flowers, brioche and yeast characters dominate the bouquet, while a dry, elegant palate is enhanced with some toasty back notes and nicely rounded mouthfeel. The finish is long and very refreshing with good acid drive, and plenty of tangy citrus flavours. In my book, this wine is very good value for small batch Marlborough Méthode. It comes highly recommended. 

Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Gris 2022 - Marlborough

Available from $16.99

Here is another outright winner from a Marlborough company with a big reputation for sharply priced, high-quality wines. In typical Rapaura Springs fashion, there is a lot going on in the glass for pinot gris in this price band. You are sure to find a lovely medley of spicy pear and sweet citrus on the nose, and a nicely textural palate that picks up those flavours and adds some tropical fruits into the mix. The finish is long and fresh with good acidity - and the lasting impression is very clean, with those spicy pear notes rounding out the conversation. The fruit weight / acid interplay is nicely harmonious and it’s that balance that sets this wine part from so many of its peer group. This is lovely wine. If you’re a fan of Marlborough Pinot Gris and don’t give it a crack, you’re missing a trick.

Fortant de France Terroir d’Altitude Chardonnay 2022 – France 

Available from $23.99

Thankfully, the days of bulk, uninspiring wines from the engine room of Southern France are now largely behind us - and the rise in quality from appellations such as Pays d’Oc continue to impress. Chardonnay has certainly come on in leaps and bounds, and the 2022 vintage of Fortant de France Terroir d’Altitude is a definite case in point. Fragrant and inviting with aromas of sweet nectarine, cashew and lemon, this is creamy, fulsome wine with punchy flavours of peach, melon and lemon butter. It’s robust and rounded but carries enough acidity to keep the palate focused and bright, and the finish is long and rewarding with tangy citrus brûlée characters to the fore. Fans of bold New Zealand Chardonnay will find lots to like here, and I far prefer this chardonnay style to the flabbier Californian wines that currently dominate our imported chardonnay sales.

Wooing Tree Beetle Juice Pinot Noir 2020 – Central Otago 

Available from $28.99

Produced by Cromwell winery Wooing Tree as an entry point to their portfolio of pinot noirs, Beetlejuice has become a well-known option for buyers looking for Central Otago Pinot in the hotly contested sub $30 bracket. Vinted as an immediately accessible style to be opened without the need for further aging, the 2020 is a satisfying wine that brings a bouquet of plum and savoury cherry to the table - with some undernotes of game and mushroom if you look a bit more closely. Those characters carry through to a palate that flows nicely in the mouth with good length and supple mouthfeel, while the finish is softly rounded with nicely integrated tannins.  It’s uncomplicated but nonetheless highly enjoyable; exactly what Central Otago Pinot in this price band should be.

Wild Grace Syrah 2021 – Hawke’s Bay 

Available from $16.99

Here’s this week’s outright bargain. Wild Grace may come from the catalogue of international drink giant Constellation Brands, but there is nothing ‘commercial’ about this well-made syrah. 2021 was an excellent vintage in Hawke’s Bay and this very affordable wine shines with glossy fruits in the plum and blackberry spectrum. Silken texture is the main calling card here and those lovely layers of dark fruits effortlessly fill the mouth with hints of oak and fruit spice adding another level of complexity. With the price of good Hawke’s Bay Syrah continually on the rise, it’s clearly good buying - but seeing wine of this quality well under the $20 mark is a golden opportunity for any syrah buyer looking to increase the calibre of their mid-week drinking.

Altemura Apulo Primitivo 2021 – Italy

Available from $16.99

Produced in Salento – a Puglia sub-region within the southern ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy - this is another wine that fights well above its weight. Vinted from unoaked primitivo, it’s a fleshy and ripe style with plenty of red plum and black cherry flavours with some vanilla and spice notes providing the detail that elevates this wine to a higher plane. It’s rounded and quite velvety – but those dark red fruits always remain the star of the show. Anise and black pepper nuances close out proceedings and leave you looking for that second glass. Match with a spicy pizza or a hearty ragout when the gang calls around, and your ‘wine cred’ is sure to go up.

Welcome to this week’s column – a down to earth look at some interesting local and international releases that I have come across over the last few weeks.

Fistonich Family Forest Flower Collection Rosé 2022 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $19.99

This is one of the first of a series of new wines that have been released by Sir George Fistonich, the founder of the Villa Maria vinous juggernaut. Clearly not ready to retire after Villa Maria was dismantled and sold off in a bitterly fought receivership, Sir George has re-entered the market with a new family of brands including the Forest Flower Collection. The 2022 Forest Flower Rosé is vinted from a blend of Hawke’s Bay Malbec (55%) and Syrah. It’s a very balanced release with a bouquet that blossoms with red berry fruits, watermelon, and red apple aromas. The palate is just off-dry with juicy characters that reflect the nose, with some ripe peach / apricot flavours adding extra texture and weight. The finish is fresh and tangy and carries the acidity needed to keep things crisp and refreshing. Match with a ham sandwich on a summer’s day and life will be good. 

Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé 2023 – Central Otago

Available from $26.99

It’s always a pleasure tasting a new vintage of Stolen Kiss, and this important wine continues to be one of the most sought-after rosés released in New Zealand each season. After a few years where the winery was experimenting with residual sugar levels, the team now seem to be working in the 9-12g/l zone – and in my mind, that’s the sweetness level that works best for this ‘luxe’ wine style. Vinted from pinot noir, this is plush and decadent rosé that brims with candy apple and strawberry flavours. It’s exuberant, creamy and those glossy pinot noir fruits fill every corner of the mouth with flavour – before layers of soft acidity kick in to balance out those sweeter notes. With the proliferation of just off-dry roses in our domestic market, it’s so refreshing to see Rockburn refine the unapologetically frivolous style that has put Stolen Kiss on the New Zealand Rosé map – and the 2023 will go down as one of the best vintages to date.

Kim Crawford Small Parcels Chardonnay 2021 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $24.99

The Small Parcels range allows the Kim Crawford winemaking team to stretch their legs and produce wines with more interest and depth than their well-known, commercial range. There have been some lovely wines released under the Small Parcels banner, and fans of premium barrel-fermented chardonnay will certainly find a lot to like here. Robustly framed and loaded with stonefruits, lemon brulee, cashew and oak spice, this 2021 release reflects the riches provided by an excellent Hawke’s Bay growing season. A subtle reductive / struck note on the nose adds a modern touch before those powerhouse chardonnay flavours kick in - and the finish is a very satisfying amalgam of toasty oak and rounded, creamy acidity. This wine is already looking very well balanced. Cellar over the coming 5+ years to further develop those delicious lemon brulee flavours.

Little X Syrah 2020 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $18.99

With the price of Hawke’s Bay Syrah seemingly always on the rise, this is a very good value offering from Marlborough vintner, Tim Adams. Using fruit sourced from the wonderful Ohiti Road sub-region, Little X is relatively complex for syrah in this price band, and the excellent 2020 vintage has brought plenty of depth and texture to the table. Look for those spicy plum and black fruit characters that Hawke’s Bay Syrah is known for, wrapped in a medium-bodied palate that shows hints of anise, pepper and barrel toast. A generous, juicy mid-palate adds a very friendly aspect, and the finish is long and clean with soft acidity and further spicy notes. It would be a great match with smoky meats and summer BBQs. Enjoy over the coming 4 years.

Yalumba Samuel’s Garden Collection Shiraz 2021 – Australia

Available from $19.99

My admiration for the Yalumba wine group is well known, and I continue to be dazzled by the quality of wine that this family-owned empire produces under its various brand tiers. From the excellent Samuel’s Garden Collection, this 2021 shiraz is a shining example of the value that the bigger South Australian producers can offer when the stars align, and this delicious shiraz should be on the radar of any Aussie red fan. Fragrant and ripe on the nose, this is classic Barossa all the way. Notes of black and blue fruits mingle with anise, vanilla and mocha, while the palate is full-bodied and generous - with spicy plum and blackcurrant flavours taking centre stage. In my book, this wine could be twice this price and still be considered obvious value. It’s already drinking well but cellar over the coming decade to further to soften down the acid / tannin components and see those lush Barossa fruits command the stage.

Boccantino Nero d’Avola Nerello 2019 - Sicily

Available from $21.99

This is a lovely example of modern Sicilian winemaking using nero d’avola and the lesser known nerello mascalese to form the blend. Fulsome and plush on the palate, the powerful flavours from the darkly fruited nero d’avola component are ably supported by the softer, juicier nerello mascalese fruits – and it’s a special combination when those two varietal worlds collide. Look for lots of succulent blackberry flavours with tobacco / herbal nuances and spicy highlights of liquorice, lavender and cola. It’s a perfect wine to match with a gutsy ragu or perhaps a pepperoni pizza, but it’s generosity and soft tannin structure make it a great option to settle into with a good Netflix session. It comes highly recommended.

Welcome to this week’s column – a down to earth look at some interesting local and international releases that I have come across over the last few weeks.

Au Fil de la Loire d'Anjou 2021 - France

Available from $19.99

Hailing from the Loire Valley and predominantly vinted from the lesser known grolleau noir variety, this is delicious French Rosé with lots of action going on in the glass. Fragrant and bright, with very attractive red summer berry fruits and watermelon notes on the nose, the palate opens with plush bursts of cranberry, pomegranate, watermelon and tangy citrus competing for your attention. A gentle kiss of fruit sweetness adds a luxe element to the conversation, but those retained sugars are adeptly balanced by a nice vein of tangy acidity on the finish. This is one seriously user-friendly wine. That gentle line of sweetness on the mid-palate makes it attractive with or without food, and at just 10% al/vol, it’s a perfect lunchtime option when the sun is out, and a glass of good, chilled rosé is the order of the day. Match with lawn sports or a poolside lounger – or a lightly spicy prawn salad if you need a bite.

Prophet's Rock Pinot Gris 2022 - Central Otago

Available from $34.99

Prophet’s Rock winemaker Paul Pujol is one of the gems of the Central Otago scene. He’s a man with an understated character that blossoms as you spend time with him, and the wines he produces all share a similar calling card. I have long been a fan of Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris and it’s always an automatic starter in my list of the best New Zealand examples of this delicate varietal.  As expected, the 2022 vintage is another excellent effort that operates in the just off-dry spectrum. The bouquet is classic nashi pear, apple and white flowers, while the palate builds on those pear characters - adding elements of sweet lemon / grapefruit and touches of spice into the mix. It’s a restrained and elegant style that nonetheless carries the swagger and charm to impress the most discerning palate – and every sip will taste better than the one before. Shout yourself a bottle. You won’t be disappointed.

Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Riesling 2022 – Marlborough

Available from $26.99

Another small batch South Island aromatic white that impressed me over the last month was the Blank Canvas 2022 Anandale Farm Riesling 2022 – from powerhouse Marlborough winemaking couple Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson MW.  This is a luscious, juicy expression that very clearly takes its inspiration from the Kabinett Rieslings of Germany. The nose is a wonderful amalgam of sweet grapefruit and lemon, with some floral notes and honey-lime undertones. All those characters drive through to a medium-dry palate that’s alive and very lush – with that decadent fruit sweetness balanced with layers of tangy acidity. It’s a party in your mouth, but always manages to stay focussed - and that fresh citrus finish just goes on and on. Like every other wine writer in the world, I wonder why riesling as delicious as this is not front and centre in the minds of the wine buying public. Help me change that, will you?

Tempus Two Prosecco NV - Australia

Available from $16.99

Here’s this week’s bargain. Vinted from the traditional glera grape, this is bright and lively Prosecco from Tempus Two. Softly creamy in the mouth with rounded flavours in the stonefruit zone and subtle citrus characters bringing both freshness and gentle acidity, it’s a lovely take on the famous sparkling wine that is ever-present in Italy. Just a touch off-dry, this non-vintage release is a very solid option to open whenever the urge calls, and it’s a perfect ‘one size fits all’ bubbles for functions or summer parties.  Prosecco’s beauty lies in its effortless charm, and that’s exactly what you get here. The mouthfeel is a little fuller and rounder than its Italian cousins but that easy going nature shines through loud and clear.

Yalumba Samuels Collection Barossa GSM 2019 - Australia

Available from $19.99

The Aussies call grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre / mataro ‘the Holy Trinity’ of red wine with good reason. It’s a magical combination with the grenache component bringing glossy weight and juiciness, while shiraz kicks in the mid-palate power and drive. Mataro brings structure and dryness - acting as the counterpoint to the generosity of those exuberant grenache fruits – and this excellent 2019 release from Yalumba’s Samuel’s Collection shows how well this varietal trio can work together. The nose is all sweet black fruits with layers of oak spice with some toasty barrel notes adding another layer of complexity.  The palate is juicy and rich, with silky dark fruits taking centre stage, before some more serious mataro notes close things out. It’s delicious – and only now entering its ideal drinking window. Highly recommended.

Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 – Central Otago

Available from $39.99

Lowburn Ferry is now part of the Smith & Sheth and Pyramid Valley consortium of brands, with their wines made under the steady hand of Pyramid Valley’s, Huw Kinch. It’s always been a winery I have admired, so it was good to find that this 2021 pinot is another very strong offering. With fruit sourced from the sub-regions of Gibbston, Wanaka and Lowburn itself, it’s fragrant and very attractive on the nose with regional notes of black cherry and plum, accompanied by subtle hints of game, thyme and anise. The palate is supple and quite full, with softly expressed sweet fruits and nicely integrated tannins. This lovely wine is already looking harmonious and should mature gracefully over the coming 5+ years. Very good value.

Welcome to this week’s column – a down to earth look at some interesting local and international releases that I have come across over the last few weeks.

Mount Riley Albarino 2023 - Marlborough

Available from $14.99

Let’s kick off with a total bargain. Albarino is a dry white wine that hails from the coastal regions of northwest Spain, but it’s global reach is widening as more and more international growers lock into the crisp flavours of this very attractive varietal. These days there are quite a few albarino producers in New Zealand and this is the third vintage of this varietal for well-known Marlborough winery, Mount Riley. Their 2022 vintage is an especially strong effort with quintessential lemon, lime and stonefruit flavours that sit over a very brisk palate that brims with zingy acidity. Though technically dry, it nonetheless carries a juicy core of citrus fruits to counter those zesty acids, while a trademark saline touch mark it unmistakably as albarino. Traditional sauvignon blanc or dry riesling fans will find much to like here. Try it with seafoods, shellfish or crisp salads – but in my book, few things in life can beat a cold bottle of albarino and a generous plate of freshly shucked oysters. Trust me on that. 

Save our Souls Vermentino 2020 - Australia

Available from $27.99

Keeping on the quirky white theme, here is a wonderful vermentino I discovered on a recent visit to Melbourne. Most of the world’s vermentino comes from Italy – especially from the island of Sardina in the western Mediterranean – but this one was grown in Australia’s Heathcote region. Beautifully presented with textural labels and lightly golden in the glass, this was a lovely expression that showed more weight and concentration than the vermentinos I have tried before. Classically, vermentino can often present as quite a simple wine, but here there is honey, pineapple / tropical fruits and subtle spice on the palate – and it wasn’t as dry as I expected either. Those lusher fruit characters perfectly countered vermintino’s natural acidity, and the lasting impression was fresh, but very satisfying indeed. If you’re looking for something to kick off a casual glass with friends when the sun is out and a drinks platter has just been put on the table, this would be a stellar choice. 

Misson Jewelstone Chardonnay 2020 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $38.99

Let’s get back to something a little more familiar with this fine example of modern Hawke’s Bay barrel-fermented Chardonnay. 2020 was an excellent chardonnay vintage in the Bay and this small batch release has enjoyed every possible attention in the vineyard and winery. The bouquet shows classic, regional barrel-ferment characters with toasty oak and vanilla sitting over a solid core of stonefruits and lemon. A reductive touch adds some flinty notes while the palate brings good depth and creamy richness – but always keeps the conversation focused and tight. The finish is long and clean with soft acidity carrying those creamy lemon flavours on and on. This is top class wine; a very good example of how power and restraint can sit alongside each other in the glass. It comes highly recommended.

Marque's De Nombrevilla Garnacha 2019 – Spain

Available from $15.99

Spanish Grenache is typically a bold, glossy wine with flavours that share much in common with the fuller-bodied, darker pinot noirs we know from Central Otago – but those savoury Otago cherry notes are amplified so it can have almost Australian Shiraz-like palate weight. Marque's De Nombrevilla is not like that. The cherry, plum and spice that you expect from grenache are there in full effect but are expressed in an understated fashion that I found very attractive. It’s soft and supple with very fine tannins and lovely flow in the mouth – and really blossomed once the wine had been in the glass for a minute or two. It’s a great anytime option and a very worthy pinot noir alternative. Decant before service. 

Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir 2020 – Central Otago

Available from $49.99

Burn Cottage has established quite the reputation in the hierarchy of Central Otago Pinot Noirs and the excellent 2020 vintage will do nothing but enhance that pedigree. Wonderfully fragrant, it shows an amalgam of red and black fruits with spice, forest floor and wild herbage notes adding further interest. The palate is finely expressed with those fruit characters looking very fresh and pure, and the acid line that begins mid-palate brings a lovely tension within the mouth that pushes through to a long and rewarding finish. This is a gorgeous wine; indeed it’s hard to think when I have seen Moonlight Race looking better. Already attractive and very harmonious, I expect this vintage to develop beautifully over the coming years, reaching peak condition around 2025.

Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – Australia

Available from $18.99

Let’s end this column with another bargain. Vinted from Yarra Valley fruit, this is quality Aussie Cabernet all the way. The nose shows textbook dark fruits that are complexed by notes of cigar box, leather and eucalypt leaf. The palate is almost medium-bodied by Australian Cabernet standards, but that touch of elegance does nothing but elevate the enjoyment this wine provides. There is lots going on in the glass here. Those dark fruits are supported by toasty wood spice (the 2019 vintage used 10% new oak) while sturdy tannins that make this wine more suited to food than casual drinking.  The finish is nicely persistent with lingering characters of tobacco leaf and anise. Enjoy now or over the coming decade should you choose to lay some down.

Welcome to this week’s column – a down to earth look at some interesting local and international releases that I have come across over the last few weeks.

Grande Cuvee 1531 de Aimery Brut Rosé NV - France

Available from $24.99

Vinted from a blend of chardonnay, chenin blanc and pinot noir, and bottle-fermented using the trusted Méthode Traditionnelle process, this is a very good example of Crémant de Limoux Rosé from the foothills of the Pyrenees in the south of France. It’s all red summer fruits, peach and citrus on the nose with some yeasty characters adding a further quality note. The palate is very fresh and vibrant with those soft red fruits and fleshy strawberry flavours to the fore, while the finish is clean and long with layers of creamy acidity keeping things tight and in check. Crémant de Limoux comes with a reputation as a well-priced Champagne alternative, and this delightful rosé certainly lives up to that. Obvious value, and the quality presentation adds another layer of luxe appeal.

Durvillea Pinot Gris 2022 - Marlborough

Available from $15.99

Durvillea is the popular ‘entry level’ brand of Astrolabe, one of Marlborough’s finest and most critically lauded producers. Interestingly, the quirky Durvillea name comes from a seaweed variety that winemaker Simon Waghorn, a seaweed geek(!), studied at university – but there’s nothing quirky about the value driven Durvillea range. They give you access to the skill and precision of the Astrolabe team at a very reasonable price, and this 2022 release is a classic interpretation of modern Marlborough Pinot Gris. Brimming with off-dry, juicy pear and semi-ripe stonefruit characters, it’s a lightly textural style with plenty of zip and zing on the palate. It’s a whisker off-dry, bringing subtle spice and ginger to the party, and finishes very clean with some wet stone / mineral notes adding extra complexity.

Codici Rosato 2022 - Italy 

Available from $14.99

Here’s a bargain. Rosé doesn’t come much more crisp and refreshing that Codici, and this lovely wine is a textbook example of the dry Italian Rosés that are taking the world by storm. Vinted from negroamaro, this wine hails from the Puglia region in Italy’s south, and it shines with very attractive, light copper hues in the glass. On the nose you’ll find cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry notes that flow through to a dry, crunchy palate that opens up in the mouth to reveal some underlying juicier flavours. The finish is very long and zesty with plenty of acidity making this delightful wine a perfect partner to seafoods and salads or a charcuterie platter of salty, spicy meats. I urge you to give it a go. With New Zealand’s current obsession with the delicate flavours of southern French Rosé reaching overload, it’s time for Italian Rosato to have its time in the sun.

Tavernello Organico Sangiovese 2021 - Italy

Available from $16.99

Though a relative newcomer to our domestic market, Tavernello is the top selling wine brand within Italy and the #1 selling Italian wine brand in global markets. Given their consuming passion for wine, that’s a massive endorsement from the Italian wine buying public, and there have been some very impressive wines amongst the Tavernello range I have looked at to date. This is one of them. Vinted from handpicked, organic fruit, this 2021 sangiovese shows classic red fruits, dried herb and anise on the nose, and a savoury, well-weighted palate that shows real depth and balance for a wine in this price band. There is plenty of soft tannin on the finish with some lingering, savoury fruit notes. Given the tannic stricture, this wine is best served with food and, not surprisingly, is well suited to pizza, pasta and Mediterranean dishes.

Crimson Monster Shiraz 2022 – Australia

Available from $17.99

Crimson Monster is the latest label from the burgeoning Fourth Wave portfolio - a company who have certainly struck a chord with the New Zealand wine buying public. Snappy brand names and edgy labels may be the Fourth Wave hallmarks, but winemaking duties are overseen by Corey Ryan – a hugely experienced and respected vigneron who has always known how to put flavour and generosity into a glass of South Australian wine. Produced from McLaren Vale fruit, Crimson Monster is made in a fulsome, robust style that focusses on easy drinkability. It’s loaded with the classic flavours of good Aussie Shiraz but has been made to be sloshed into glasses and enjoyed with gusto – not pondered over and analyzed. It’s a charming mid-week option or a great red to open when friends gather for informal drinks. Match with loud conversation or a good Netflix binge session.     

Radburnd Cellars Syrah 2020 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $84.99

Taking things up several notches, is this wonderful Hawke’s Bay Syrah from celebrated winemaker, Kate Radburnd. Her eponymous brand has given Kate an outlet to release the very best wines she can produce, and each vintage sees chardonnay, syrah and merlot cabernet blends of the highest order offered for sale. Volumes are small. The wines are made without compromise, and have enjoyed considerable praise from the media and, perhaps more importantly, from Kate’s winemaking peers. This 2020 is my pick of the Radburnd Syrah’s I have tasted to date. Fragrant and loaded with black fruits, this wine bursts with notes of toasty oak, baking spice, violets, and anise on the nose. The palate is vibrant and alive with flowing layers of plum and cherry sitting over that heady mix of oak and spice, and the finish is deep and rewarding with enough tannin to calm the conversation and keep the palate focused and long. I loved it. If you are looking for a fine example of the modern Hawke’s Bay Syrah style, this excellent release offers world class quality – and is bargain priced by premium French Syrah standards.    

Not many New Zealand retailers have sold more wine than Mac and his personal recommendations come from one of the industry's safest sets of hands. Regardless of the price point you like to shop in, Mac's Picks will always be great buying and totally delicious. You have his word on it.

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - Marlborough

Available from $32.99

This important wine will always feature in any discussion of the finest Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs and comes with an enviable reputation for its concentration and complexity. The 2022 vintage is another excellent expression that captures the maritime influences of the Wairau Valley. Wonderfully pungent with passionfruit, gooseberry, nettle and tomato leaf characters bursting from the nose, it’s a punchy wine that takes those characters from the bouquet and wraps them up in a lightly saline, herbal palate that shows plenty of tropical fruits and tangy layers of acidity. Full of energy and drive, it finishes long and enticingly fresh, with excellent tension between the fruit and acid components. If you want to taste one of the great New Zealand wines, grab a bottle and you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about. 

Locatour Creamy Chardonnay 2021 – California, USA

Available from $17.99

With the increasing popularity of Californian Chardonnays in our domestic market, few examples manage to sneak under the key $20 retail price barrier these days – so Locatour is sure to attract plenty of attention wherever it is sold. With ‘Creamy’ on the label, the scene is set for a rounded, fulsome wine - and that’s exactly what Locatour delivers. The nose is all about ripe peaches, pineapple and butterscotch, with some toasted oak characters playing a supporting role. The palate is rich and full-bodied with some fruit sweetness and vanillin oak adding to that stonefruit core – and the finish is soft and very creamy with some buttered popcorn / caramel flavours rounding things out. This is an uncomplicated, ‘midweek’ wine for those who like their chardonnay on the big and bold side of the street. No need to cellar. Match with lemon-spiked roasted chicken or your favourite carbonara pasta. 

Tread Softly Prosecco NV 

Available from $14.99

Another wine with some residual sugar that is fast developing a reputation with Kiwi buyers is Tread Softly Prosecco. Vinted from South Australian Glera (glera is the traditional prosecco grape), this is a soft, medium-bodied sparkling wine with flavours in the pear and apple spectrum and an underlying seam of honeysuckle. At just 9.9% alc/vol, it’s been designed to be a lighter style, but the palate delivers plenty of good fruit characters and the finish is clean and bright. Though not as crisp and vibrant as its Italian counterparts, it’s still very fresh and appealing with lost of juicy fruit action and a dash of soft acidity on the finish. Match with a drinks platter when the gang calls around.

Black Cottage Pinot Noir 2021 – Central Otago

Available from $19.99

This is good value. Vinted by Marlborough-based Black Cottage winemaker Dave Clouston, this 2021 release is looking very nicely integrated with a bouquet of red and black fruits, and a green herb / thyme note adding a direct link to the Cromwell and Alexandra vineyards that provided the fruit for this appealing wine. Two years on from harvest it is now entering its perfect drinking window, with primarily red cherry fruits driving things along. Some plum and spicy oak characters pick up that ball, adding further interest to a juicy palate that shows plenty of vibrancy and life. The finish shows some classic Central Otago game and forest floor nuances, and the closing tannins have enough grip to give this wine the structure it deserves. Enjoy over the coming 3-4 years with a venison casserole or duck tacos.

Perrin La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux 2020 – France

Available from $16.99

One of the great lessons to learn when you start looking more seriously at wine, is that wines don’t need to be big to be good. This lovely southern Rhone blend is the personification of that simple adage; a pleasure wine that puts sheer enjoyment and drinkability before palate weight and structure. It’s worth pointing out that Perrin are a very prestigious Rhone producer - the makers of the legendary Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They have been wine growers in the southern Rhone for centuries and are now recognised as the largest organic producer in the appellation. The Cotes du Ventoux sits towards the bottom of the Perrin brand hierarchy, but this deceptively simple blend of carignan, cinsault, grenache, and syrah is a very rewarding glass of wine. Enjoy it at the start of an evening with soft cheeses or a charcuterie selection.     

Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2021 - Clare Valley, Australia.

Available from $19.99

This famous wine has long been one of the shiraz market’s best buys, but I thought that the newly released 2021 vintage is looking especially sharp. Fruit comes from Jim Barry’s renowned Lodge Hill vineyard in the Clare Valley – a region known for more elegant shiraz expressions that are typically fresher and more vibrant than their Barossa cousins. The palate is chock full of blueberry and cherry fruits with some blackberry notes and bramble spice adding further layers of complexity. There’s plenty of tannin but it is quite fine and integrated, and the oak component shows its presence but never tries to unbalance the equation. This is a mouth-filling, complete shiraz experience that defies this relatively humble price point. Excellent value.   

Not many New Zealand retailers have sold more wine than Mac and his personal recommendations come from one of the industry's safest sets of hands. Regardless of the price point you like to shop in, Mac's Picks will always be great buying and totally delicious. You have his word on it.

Main Divide Pinot Gris 2021 – North Canterbury

Available from $18.99

Main Divide is the highly successful entry-level label of celebrated North Canterbury producer, Pegasus Bay. There have been some notable wines released under the Main Divide banner over the years - with riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir the best-known performers – but over recent vintages Main Divide Pinot Gris has also been getting plenty of attention. The 2021 is a typically lush and opulent style with layer after layer of juicy Waipara fruits bringing spicy pear, ginger and honeysuckle flavours into play. While still operating in the off-dry spectrum, this vintage is drier than previous years and, in my book, that reduction in fruit sweetness was the right move. The finish is very clean with plenty of soft acidity keeping things fresh and bright - but those wonderfully rich Waipara fruits hang in there to the very end. Match with chilli-spiked Asian dishes or spicy baked salmon and enjoy over the coming 3 years.  

Hunter’s Chardonnay 2021 – Marlborough

Available from $22.99

This was a lovely example of middleweight barrel-fermented chardonnay from one of the stalwarts of the Marlborough wine industry. The nose was complex and full of interest for a wine in this price point, with stonefruit, grilled citrus and flinty / gun smoke notes supported by some subtle hints of oak spice. The palate took those characters and laid them over a bed of lightly creamy, sweet vanilla flavours, before a vein of fresh acidity kicked in, leading the way to a long and very satisfying finish. The oak component has been skillfully handed here - adding just enough weight to the conversation, without ever dominating the peach and citrus interplay of those ripe Marlborough fruits. This is the best rendition of this popular chardonnay that I can recall tasting – and an obvious bargain if you see it for under $25. Enjoy now over the coming 5+ years.        

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Syrah 2021 – Hawke’s Bay 

Available from $24.99

As the style of mid-tier Hawke’s Bay Syrah is reinterpreted and redefined, I find myself drawn more and more to the supple and juicy examples, where concentration and structure are eschewed in favour of flowing mouthfeel and an almost ‘pinot noir like’ sense of palate weight. Squawking Magpie seems to agree with that thought and the 2021 Chatterer Syrah is a textbook example of this understated but utterly delicious syrah style. Sourced from Gimblett Gravels fruit, it is very fragrant, with notes of dark cherry and plums complexed with violet, lavender and anise. The palate effortlessly carries those characters through to a savoury finish with pillow soft tannins and gentle acidity, leaving the mouth refreshed and looking for more. This lovely wine is highly recommended. Seek it out. 

Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Shiraz 2019 – Australia

Available from $17.99

This is another well-known, well-priced wine that is in excellent form. Now entering its perfect drinking window, the 2019 Sandpiper Shiraz from Thorn-Clarke is loaded with black fruits and baking spices on the nose and a medium to full-bodied palate that shows the dark plum and savoury cherry flavours that the Barossa delivers in good vintages. A dose of choco-berry / mocha and some vanillin oak on the mid-palate adds a luxe element but the fruits always remain on the savoury side of the street - and those classic South Australian flavours go on and on. Already enjoyable, this wine will continue to develop and become further integrated over the coming 4-5 years. 

Bodegas Piqueras VS Monastrell Grenache Tintorera 2017 – Spain

Available from $39.99

Here’s this week’s showstopper. Imported by the inimitable Stephen Bennett MW, this 2017 release from Bodegas Piqueras is produced from a 50/50 split of old vine Monastrell and Grenache Tintorera. This is a big, extroverted wine that fills the senses with the rounded fruit characters that are synonymous with premium Spanish reds. The nose offers layers of concentrated blackberry and damson plum, with violet and spice notes adding further complexity. The palate is very broad and concentrated with sturdy weight and an endless array of dark fruit characters. Spice and smoky oak provide the detail on a wine that shines with glossy exuberance, and the finish is very rich with savoury dried fruit characters sitting over gentle tannins and well-integrated acidity. This is powerhouse winemaking from one of my favourite Spanish producers and a guaranteed talking point whenever a bottle is opened. Match with a hearty casserole or wood-fired meats when you want to knock the socks off your guests.  

Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port – Portugal

Available from $58.99

While Port seemingly doesn’t enjoy the popularity it once had in the New Zealand market, it remains a key fortified wine style that, thankfully, maintains a strong international following. Six Grapes has long been one of my favourite non-vintage expressions; this a wine that I have been enjoying for almost 40 years when a soothing nightcap is the order of the day. The bottle I opened last week showed plenty of charm with decadent dark fruits complexed with hints of just-burnt caramel and lots of sweet raisin. The rancio (a sort of nutty /raisin character) note that you look for in Port was there in full effect, and the lasting impression was mellow and very graceful. Match with an open fire and robust post-dinner conversation as soon as possible. 

Not many New Zealand retailers have sold more wine than Mac and his personal recommendations come from one of the industry's safest sets of hands. Regardless of the price point you like to shop in, Mac's Picks will always be great buying and totally delicious. You have his word on it.

Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut NV – France

Available from $59.99

Vinted from a blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, and with 35% reserve wine in the blend, Lanson has long been one of the top-selling Grand Marque Champagnes and brings a significant reputation for freshness and elegance to the table. This latest disgorgement is looking very good with a red apple and citrus nose sitting over a core of toasted brioche characters. The bubbles are fine and very persistent in the glass and the palate is broad and quite generous, with good drive and nicely poised tension between the fruit and mineral aspects. Having not tasted Lanson for a couple of years, I was impressed with the quality it offered – and with the price of Grand Marque Champagne steadily on the rise, it’s obviously good value in the current market.

Auntsfield Sauvignon Blanc 2022 – Marlborough

Available from $19.99

This was impressive 2022 wine from vigneron brothers, Ben and Luc Cowley. In classic Marlborough style, this expressive wine shows a complex array of punchy notes on the nose with citrus, green herbage, tropical fruits and tomato stalk all playing their part. It promises much, and the palate delivers a textbook assemblage of regional sauvignon flavours with some chalky minerality, and a gentle saline note adding a further touch of individuality. Far from being one-dimensional, this is sauvignon that unfolds with each taste. The lasting impression is balanced and fresh with salivating acidity and that mineral line shining on through. Classy wine that deserves to be served lightly chilled with fresh shellfish or a tangy garden salad.        

Babich Irongate Chardonnay 2022 – Hawke’s Bay 

Available from $34.99

Babich Irongate has always been an important label in the context of premium Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay and the 2022 is another fine effort from a challenging growing season. Vinted from Gimblett Gravels fruit, this release was shy on initial inspection before opening up in the glass as more air worked its way into the wine. Notes of grilled stonefruits, almond and sweet oak spice dominated a nose that also showed some subtle ginger and lemon spice. The palate flowed beautifully, bringing those characters together and adding a distinct ginger-cream flavour into the equation. The finish was long, with good acidity and understated hints of toasty French oak. In my book, this wine should be decanted before service if you plan to open a bottle over the coming 18 months, but its real beauty will be discovered if you can put some aside over the coming five years. I loved it. 

Babich Cabernet Merlot 2019 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $17.99

Given its humble price point, this was another very impressive Babich wine. From the excellent 2019 vintage, this release shows plenty of blackberry and plum characters on the bouquet, with some leather / tobacco / eucalyptus notes from the cabernet aspect of the blend. There is also a very appealing Bordeaux-esque pencil lead aroma that carries through to a middleweight palate, showing layers of spicy blackcurrant underpinned by some creamy mocha flavours. There is good balance between the sweet fruit characters and the rounded acidity this wine displays, while the tannins are supple and very friendly. If you prefer to shop in the sub$20 bracket and you’re looking for a good example of blended Hawke’s Bay red, there is an awful lot to like here. Great buying. 

Tilia Malbec 2022 – Argentina

Available from $16.99

Here’s a wine to try if you’re looking for a softly rewarding red to keep you company on these colder winter nights. Budget conscious Kiwis have taken to Argentinian reds with great gusto, and the 2022 Tilia release is a showcase of the plush, dark fruits and juicy palate weight that South American Malbec is so well-known for. Medium-bodied and lightly oaked by Argentinian standards, this is a very approachable red that’s been made in an uncomplicated, drink-now style. Hints of vanilla and oak spice add some complexity to the primary plum and blackberry flavours, but this is wine to slosh into glasses on casual nights, while a hearty roast is ticking over in the oven. No need to cellar. It’s ripe and rearing to go.     

La Multa Old Vine Garnacha 2019 – Spain

Available from $18.99

Here’s this week’s obvious bargain. Produced from low yielding garnacha vines in the North-Easterly Spanish region of Calatayud, La Multa 2019 is a bit of showstopper. Packed with glossy, dark, mouthfilling fruits, it brings the generosity and ripeness of Spanish Grenache to the party, but some deeper, more savoury characters ensure that this lovely wine maintains a premium stance from start to finish. For the uninitiated, grenache tastes a bit like turbo-charged pinot noir, with amplified dark cherry fruits and supple palate flow. It’s a very reliable category for Kiwi wine buyers who have become disillusioned with entry level New Zealand Pinot Noir – and there some incredible buys if you shop around. This is one of them. Get some pizzas on the go as soon as possible and crack a bottle of this little beauty. You won’t regret it. I bought a case.   

Not many New Zealand retailers have sold more wine than Mac and his personal recommendations come from one of the industry's safest sets of hands. Regardless of the price point you like to shop in, Mac's Picks will always be great buying and totally delicious. You have his word on it.

Sherwood Estate Stratum Riesling 2022 – Waipara Valley

Available from $14.99

I have long admired the sheer value that Sherwood Estate’s Stratum label offers the wine buying public and this 2022 Riesling is another bargain release from this trusted North Canterbury producer. There is something magical about Waipara Valley Riesling and this example shows layers of lime and sweet citrus that dance over a juicy, medium-dry palate. Those fleshy, exuberant, sweeter characters are nicely balanced with fresh acidity and the finish is long and very refreshing. It’s hard not to like and is ideally suited to casual occasions when something zingy and vibrant is the order of the day. The sugar / acid combo makes it an excellent partner for spicy dishes but this wicked little over achiever would also work well paired with soft cheeses. Great buying.

Mount Brown Pinot Gris 2022 – North Canterbury

Available from $14.99

Here is another North Canterbury wine that clearly outperforms its humble price point. The juicy, succulent flavours of aromatic Waipara white wines are in full effect with this release and the 2022 pinot gris from Mount Brown shows plenty of swagger and confidence. Medium-dry with classic pear, pipfruit and melon on the nose, the palate shows good weight, lush texture and brings plenty of spiced nashi pear flavours to the party - with some honey / lime notes playing an excellent secondary role. I also noted a distinct ‘Juicyfruit’ chewing gum character before soft acidity rounded out this wine. Fans of off-dry pinot gris will find a lot to like here and those unmistakable Waipara fruits remain the star of the show from start to finish. Another absolute bargain from this wonderful growing region.       

Elephant Hill Chardonnay 2021 – Hawke’s Bay 

Available from $29.99

This is a fine example of barrel-fermented, coastal New Zealand Chardonnay. The nose is alive with regional stonefruits, citrus and oak spice, while a maritime, saline note adds both complexity and sense of place. The palate is rich and textured with lots of action in the glass. Nectarine and lemon flavours shine on a generous palate, with toasted nuts and spicy barrel-ferment notes adding further interest. The oak treatment has been deftly handled - adding weight and complexity to the conversation but never taking over proceedings – and the finish is long and supple with rounded acidity. This lovely wine is already a treat and well-priced for the quality it offers. Enjoy now with lemon spiked chicken dishes or over the coming 5+ years.

Craggy Range Rosé 2022 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $29.99

This is the best Craggy Range Rosé I have tasted to date. Vinted predominantly from merlot (81%) with some tempranillo adding juiciness and spice, it is bright, light salmon-pink in the glass in the style of the classic Provence Rosés. The bouquet is delicately poised and very attractive, with red summer fruits, white florals and a subtle chalky note. These characters flow gracefully through to frame a dry palate that nonetheless has a juiciness to its core, and the instant impression is both charming and very moreish. From a challenging 2022 Hawkes Bay vintage, this release nails the interplay between dryness / acidity and the fleshy, berry fruit characters that have made ‘Provencesque’ New Zealand Rose’s such a hit in our local market. It’s a cracker. Match with some afternoon sun and a ham sandwich as soon as possible. 

Paritua Stone Paddock Merlot 2020 – Hawke’s Bay

Available from $19.99

My admiration for the winemaking skills of Jason Stent and his Paritua team is well known, and this is another excellent release from a producer who sits at the top table of Hawke’s Bay red wine production. Vinted from 100% estate grown merlot, this is a softy fulsome expression that has enjoyed an optimal growing season in 2020. The nose shows regional plum and oak spice, while the palate is supple and very smooth - with dark plum flavours and blackberry characters overlaying nuances of barrel notes and anise. The finish is very approachable with good tannic structure and layers of creamy acidity refreshing the mouth. I would decant it if serving it over the next year or two, to dial down those tannins and amplify those silky fruit flavours. Very good value.        

Chateau Saint-Roch Corbarol Cotes du Roussillon 2020 – France

Available from $22.99

I am a complete sucker for the dark, juicy reds of southern France and this grenache (65%) / syrah blend is right up my alley. Produced under the Saint-Roch label by Domaine Lafage, this is glossy, succulent wine with the plush flavours of the grenache component ably supported by the more serious and structured syrah aspect of the blend. Black cherry, dried herb and baking spike characters flow seamlessly from the nose through to a silky palate that works equally well with, or without food. It’s delicious - and a great option for those who like weighty Central Otago Pinot Noir but are looking for something a bit more full-bodied. I’d match this wine with a lazy Sunday and a good Spotify playlist, but a spicy vegetable bake would work equally well. 

Not many New Zealand retailers have sold more wine than Mac and his personal recommendations come from one of the industry's safest sets of hands. Regardless of the price point you like to shop in, Mac's Picks will always be great buying and totally delicious. You have his word on it.

Longbush Gewurztraminer 2021 – Gisborne

Available from $14.99

Let’s kick off with an absolute bargain. Gewurztraminer may have fallen out of favour with Kiwi consumers over the last 15 years, but a devoted fan base still exists for this personality-filled, spicy white wine. From its spiritual home in France’s Alsace region, gewurztraminer has always performed well in New Zealand, with Gisborne the growing area most closely aligned with its domestic production. Gisborne ‘Gewurz’ is typically lush and quite powerfully weighted - and that’s exactly what you get here. In classic Alsace style, the Longbush nose explodes with Turkish Delight characters and baking spice notes. The palate is medium-dry with lush layers of exotic fruits and lychee characters and the residual sugar / acid balance has been very well handled. Spicy ginger flavours linger on the finish and the lasting impression is balanced and very satisfying. For the uninitiated, gewurztraminer is the perfect partner for spicy Asian curries or chili spiked meals. If you haven’t tried it before, you’re missing one of the great wine matches – and Longbush 2021 is a perfect option to give that special combo a crack.  

Domaines Bougrier Vouvray 2021 – France

Available from $24.99

This is another lovely, medium-dry wine that would go wonderfully with an array of spicy foods. Made from chenin blanc from a family estate that has been producing wines since 1885, Bougrier Vouvray is a fresh, vibrant wine with white flowers and citrus on the nose and a palate that shines with apricot, almond and honey. The flavours are nicely focused with some wet stone minerality adding a touch of complexity, but those juicy, tangy chenin blanc notes drive the conversation through to a dry finish that sparkles with citrus led acidity. It’s delicious. The initial fruit sweetness and that crunchy, dry finish work wonderfully together, and those juicy honey / citrus flavours go on forever. In the European style, you could open a bottle with a deli platter when friends call around – but I’d opt for a spicy chicken or pork curry. Bring it on.

De la Terre Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2022 – Hawke’s Bay 

Available from $26.99

This is a lovely example of small batch, barrel-fermented chardonnay from highly respected Hawke’s Bay winemaker, Tony Prichard – the former head winemaker behind the juggernaut Church Road brand. This is a real ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ style. Initially understated, the wine builds on the palate as you taste, with stonefruit and wood spice on the nose flowing through to a complex palate that keeps those stonefruit, oak and grilled citrus flavours in the spotlight. The focus here is clearly on the fruit - and while touches of creamy, malolactic characters are apparent, this wine remains elegant and refined. A year on from harvest, it’s already looking composed and very smart - but my advice is to lay some down and watch its quiet power amplify over the coming 5-7 years.  

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir 2021 – Central Otago

Available from $24.99

Produced by Chard Farm as an unashamedly commercial, upfront expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir, Rabbit Ranch does an admirable job at this increasingly competitive price point. Dark fruits, with touches of oak and thyme on the nose, lead through to a glossy palate that is medium-bodied with soft acidity and supple tannins. It’s straightforward and relatively uncomplicated - but with the price of Central Otago Pinot Noir always on the rise, it offers buyers a good value option that does what it says on the tin. Match with a Netflix binge session and family block of dark forest chocolate.

Protocolo Tempranillo 2020 – Spain

Available from $16.99

Regular readers of this column will know by now that Spanish Tempranillo is one of the safest categories for European red wine buyers – and the very nicely packaged Protocolo will do nothing but add further weight to that argument. Loaded with dark cherry and ripe plum flavours, it’s a classically middleweight style with some mocha and spice adding a little bit of magic on the palate. Unoaked tempranillo like this is made to be enjoyed with great gusto; sloshed into glasses and shared with casual food and good company, rather than sipped and analyzed for its hidden secrets. Indeed, Protocolo’s attraction lies in its ‘one size fits all’, easy drinking charm - and the sheer value for money it offers Kiwi drinkers who are willing to look outside the merlot / syrah / pinot noir categories that dominate our domestic red wine sales. Recommended.   

Clay Creek Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 – California, USA

Available from $19.99

Californian Zinfandel fans will find much to like here, and this 2020 Clay Creek release is one of the best Zinfandels I have tried at this price level in quite some time. This is bold, expressive wine. Savoury red cherry and blueberry fruits meld with cocoa and spice on the nose, while the palate is boldly structured with ‘Christmas cake’ flavours and layers of creamy, rounded acidity. This is supple and textural wine with rounded mouthfeel, and the finish is plush and quite juicy with soft tannins and a fresh lingering finish. No one could possibly argue that it isn’t very good buying. Match with hearty roasted meats or a spicy vegetable lasagna and enjoy the 2020 vintage over the coming 5+ years.