It can be easy in wine too, to take the familiar path; sometimes because seeking the alternative can be difficult. I well remember a winery friend trying to sell his gewurztraminer to a supermarket, but being told by the liquor manager "the figures tell us that we can only sell one gewurz". Consequently, seeking out these wines may take work, but the rewards are in the glass.
2024 Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Blanc
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Gorgeous nose, flirts
with a wisp of funk,
then peach and
nectarine, another layer
of herb and cracked
pepper follows, draws
you in. Gunflint, white
peach, peppery spice,
ripe yet dry, deceptive
power, richness,
almost a clotted cream
quality, while there’s
tingly freshness on the
close. Lemon drops on
the finish now,
salivatory, gets the
juices flowing, super
wine.
2022 Saint Clair Camp Block 28 Marlborough Pinot Blanc
Rating Excellent
Fragrant, peach,
stonefruits, a light
creamed clover honey
quality, a touch of
minerality too: with time
that stony mineral more
apparent. The palate
continues the journey,
fruit pastille notes bring
fruit sweetness yet this
closes on the drier side.
With air, less about the
fruit sweetness as spicy
aspects and a wisp of
spritz join. You could so
easily sit back with a
second glass of this.
2024 Pegasus Bay Gewurztraminer
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Beautiful florality wafts
from the glass, elegant
rather than
overpowering, Rose
petal, lychee, spice,
mineral touches too
that show a steely side
with air. The palate
adds dry honey,
contrasted by liquorice
and a bittersweet
touch on the close.
Power, depth of
flavour, everything in
such balance.
Continues to be
delightfully floral,
pulling you in for more.
2024 Cicada by Riverby Estate Marlborough Gewurztraminer
Rating Excellent
Subtlety at first but it all
starts to grow with air,
swelling with rose petal
florality, red apple,
honey and spice. Slower
out of the blocks but
now rather engaging.
Textural richness yet
neatly contrasting
freshness and
brightness. The palate
plays the honey and
rose water cards rather
well, but never over-
sweet. The integration
promises enjoyment
from day one.
2024 Misha’s Vineyard The Gallery Central Otago Gewurztraminer
Rating Excellent
Attractively fragrant, fruit
pastille joined by lychee,
stony mineral and rose
petal elements add extra
layers as the wine opens
up. Quite simply a
feeling of elegance,
those fruit pastille and
honeyed notes (dry
honey) continue on to
the palate, all matched
with a bright, long close.
It just works. Never
overstated or
bombastic, super
balance and just so
drinkable.
2024 Main Divide North Canterbury Gewurztraminer
Rating Very Good to Excellent
The typical floral
appeal of gwewurz
captures your nose.
Flecks of rose petal
and turkish delight,
fresh and floral, a
nutty element with
aeration. The palate
leads with creamy
richness, more in the
medium-weight
spectrum, adding a
little almond and a
refreshing spritzy
whisper on the close.
This is all about
immediacy and sheer
drinkability.
