12 wine suggestions for Christmas:
The following selection of well crafted wines - are an ideal pairing with a diverse selection of seasonal & festive cuisine. Here are a few brief words to describe my first impressions and the essence of each wine. A versatile range of dynamic wines ready to be sipped, savoured & shared over the festive period and holiday season.
Remember - ‘when & where possible, all wine tastes better when served from the appropriate glass and at the ideal temperature’.
JULES TAYLOR ‘OTQ’
S.V. Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Region: Marlborough - NZ
Owner / Winemaker: Jules Taylor
Elevated aromas of pineapple and torn green herbs. A generous palate with casual acidity for a classic Marlborough expression. Celebrating pineapple, passionfruit and a deft citrus note woven through with highlights of pistachio from time in oak giving a broad finish.
• (13.3% Alc./vol. - Residual Sugar 1.1g/L)
• Chill gently & serve at 8°- 9°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 5 Stars
LAKE CHALICE ‘The Falcon’
Riesling 2020
Region: Marlborough - NZ
Head Winemaker: Chloe Gabrielsen
On the nose ripe pears, limes along with white floral notes. These carry though onto the luscious palate, showcasing ripe mandarin, honeydew melon and a seam of citrus acidity for interest. The wine is crafted in a juicy style resulting in an engaging finish.
• (10.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. 26.7g/L)
• Chill gently & serve at 7°- 8°C
*Retail - NZ$20.99 : 4 Stars
GISSELBRECHT ‘Alsace’
Pinot Blanc 2019
Region: Alsace - France
Owner/ Winemaker: Claude Gisselbrecht
Aromas of apples, melon and wild summer flowers. A well-balanced wine showcasing classic flavours of ripe apples, white peaches, green melon, with subtle mineral notes all nicely supported by gentle citrus characters leading to a relaxed finish.
• (12.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. <4g/L)
• Chill gently & serve at 8°- 9°C
*Retail - NZ$29.99 : 4 Stars
BROOKFIELDS ‘Barrique Fermented’
Viognier 2020
Region: Hawke's Bay - NZ
Owner/ Winemaker: Peter Robertson
Aromas of peaches, lemon grass, spice and subtle almonds. As suggested, it was barrel fermented, this well-crafted Viognier has a layered palate celebrating peaches, honey-suckle, along with almond pastry notes and a clean dry finish.
• (14% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 10°C
*Retail - NZ$28.99 : 5 Stars
NGA WAKA ‘Martinborough’
Chardonnay 2020
Region: Martinborough - NZ
Chief Winemaker: Roger Parkinson
Aromas of stone fruits and Vogel’s bread. The generous palate is celebrating those broad flavours of ripe peaches, rockmelon, all supported by the perfectly dovetailed oak characters, enhanced by its silky texture and a rewarding lingering finish.
• (13.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• Chill gently & serve between 9°- 11°C
*Retail - NZ$28.99 : 5 Stars
MIDDLE EARTH ‘Pinot Meunier’
Rosé 2021
Region: Nelson - NZ
Head Winemaker: Trudy Shield
Aromas of ripe strawberries and watermelon notes are lifted from the glass inviting a smile. The palate is vibrant with soft acidity along with those vibrant summer flavours of watermelon, red currants and raspberries leading to a delicious finish.
• (12.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. 6.5g/L)
• Chill gently & serve around 8°- 9°C
*Retail - NZ$24.99 : 4 Stars
RIMU GROVE ‘Nelson’
Pinot Noir 2015
Region: Nelson - NZ
Owner / Winemaker: Patrick Stowe
Aromas of plums, dark cherries and violets highlighted by deft notes of vanilla spice. The palate has an engaging textural personality, confident while silky from fine-grained tannins which carry the well-developed characters through to a graceful finish.
• (14% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• 20-30 mins decanting & serve at 15°- 17°C
*Retail - NZ$49.99 : 5 Stars
MOUTON CADET ‘Cuvée Heritage’
Merlot Blend 2018
Region: Bordeaux - France
Winemaker: Ophélie Michaud
On the nose dried herbs, capsicum, subtle floral notes and mixed berries. The approachable palate has dark plums, bitter chocolate and mocha-coffee, those dried herbs and balanced oak wrapping around dry tannins which carry onto the finish.
• (14.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. 1.1g/L)
• No decanting & serve between 15°- 17°C
*Retail - NZ$29.99 : 3½ Stars
CHAKANA ‘Estate Selection’
Malbec 2019
Region: Mendoza - Argentina
Chief Winemaker: Gabriel Bloise
Aromas of dark plums, wild berries, spiced chocolate and deft notes of violets. On the harmonious palate you have a juicy supple Malbec with dark plums, black cherries, along with earthy and dark chocolate flavours leading to a smooth finish.
• (14% Alc./vol. - R.S. <1g/L)
• No decanting & serve between 16°- 17°C
*Retail - NZ$30.99 : 4 Stars
KAESLER ‘Avignon’
G.S.M. 2017
Region: Barossa Valley - Australia
Winemakers: Reid Bosward & Stephen Dew
On the nose dark berries, infused dried spices, herbs and violets. The palate is generous and engaging, with a smooth texture, balanced nicely by silky tannins and seamless vanilla oak characters, resulting in a luscious mouth feel and lingering finish.
• (15% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• 25-30 mins decanting & serve at 16°- 17°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 5 Stars
TORBRECK ‘Woodcutter's’
Shiraz 2019
Region: Barossa Valley - South Australia
Chief Winemaker: Ian Hongell
On the noses wild berries, plums, cassis, dark cherries and dried spices. The palate delivers ripe berry fruits that seamlessly infused cassis, dark cherries, dried spices, mocha, a good turn of peppercorns and a note of vanilla from its time in oak.
• (14.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• 30-45 mins decanting & serve at 17°- 18°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 4 Stars
CHAPEL HILL ‘The MV’
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Region: McLaren Vale - South Australia
Winemakers: Michael Fragos & Bryn Richards
Aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, sage and a note of mint-chocolate. The palate is broad and engaging with a solid structure. Showcasing dark fruits, cacao & defined tannins. A poised personality, layers of varietal character and deft oak on a classic dry finish.
• (14.5% Alc./vol. - R.S. <2g/L)
• 45-60 mins decanting & serve at 17°- 18°C
*Retail - NZ$37.99 : 5 Stars
