It will be evident to readers that I try to group wines thematically.
Half a dozen chardonnays, or eight pinot noirs make a clearcut grouping for a tasting, but among the wines that I accumulate, there are always a few outliers from less common or less trendy grape varieties.
So it is today with (mostly) a collection of individual wines that come together as a grouping I've dubbed "the road less travelled''.
Some less common varieties here, but full of interest nevertheless.
With Mr Mac on holiday, my regular panellist Ricky joined me, to taste these contenders.
Price: $30
Rating: Excellent
Subtle nose at first with hints of nuts, straw and cut herbs: floral notes with time. Nice mouthfeel with flavours of nuts, citrus, honey and wild herbs, tingly acidity keeping it fresh. Good intensity, fruit richness and finishing dry.
This builds in refinement and structure with aeration; remaining appealingly drinkable.
www.mondodelvino.com/en/portfolio/luna-argenta
Price: $19
Rating: Very good
A musky, perfumed element on the nose with apples following. Juicy Fruit chewing gum and apple on the palate; bright, fruit sweetness but finishing just off dry. Crisply balanced with a nice carry of flavours in the mouth. This is clean and bright and very easy drinking.
Price: Cellar Door $20
Rating: Very good
A light, but appealing nose of apple, straw and chamomile with a vinous feel to it. Creamy texture in the mouth and quite powerful with spices, apple and honey leading the way to the dry close. Softer than some Chenins making this very easy to drink.
Rather tasty all over and with good length of flavour.
www.eskvalley.co.nz
Price: Ex winery $55
Rating: Very good
Really floral this with white flowers, peach, quince and citrus edging to limes. The palate a little more subdued; though with lovely textural elements, vinosity and fine balance. Pear, pepper and citrus lead the way with lime and lemon more apparent on the long dry finish.
An interesting combo that may surprise.
Price: $23
Rating: Excellent
Musky sweat, pear, stonefruit and pepperiness to the fore here. The palate reinforces the nose with chewing gum, lime, stonefruit spice and pepper. Creamy texture on entry zapped into focus by some chalky grip and fresh acidity before leading on to a tasty and long, dry, lime and pepper finish.
This all works nicely.
Price: Cellar Door $N/A (vines now pulled out)
Rating: Very good
The nose leads with dried apricot and honeysuckle with an appley undercurrent. The palate quite viscous, as to be expected, bought into line with a laser-like beam of acidity. Baked apple, stonefruit and spices with the appley note growing with aeration.
This fattens up rather nicely with aeration: a nice rendition
