Wine tasting: New Zealand

 

New Zealand! This was the first time we've ever done an all-NZ tasting, and I'd say it was a success (we drank every bottle of NZ wine that I had, plus a Russian River Pinot Noir that lingered to near the carnage -- 12 bottles total!). Thanks again to those who made it! 

Overall, I'd say these were all very good, and great values compared to California wines. The sauvignon blancs, in particular, seemed both unique (tropical fruit notes, a core of sweet fruit, but also lots of acid on the finish, almost like a more carefree version of dry German riesling) and interesting for food pairings (Thai? I think Thai!). I've never found this combination of things in sauv blanc from anywhere else. I preferred #1 and #2, which came across with more sweetness on the palate (while still being dry wines), but I'd be happy to have more of any of them. 

The pinot noirs were also very good (especially for the money), but seemed to be aiming at familiar pinot noir ideals familiar in Burgundy and California. Particularly surprising to me were the funky, earthy aromatics of these wines, which reminded me more of France than most New World producers. Great value (especially #8, which I got for half price at Last Bottle). I'm not sure I'd choose the $60 bottle over similarly priced California options, but I definitely enjoyed the cheaper bottles more than similarly priced California options. 

And, lest we forget, I really liked the rosé, too! 

Here's what we had, my favorites in bold:

1. 2021 Craggy Range "Te Muna Road" Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough ($20)
2. 2021 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($17)
3. 2021 Smith & Sheth "Cru" Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough ($25)
4. 2021 Auntsfield "Single Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc Southern Valleys Marlborough ($20)
5. 2021 TWR (Te Whare Ra) Rosé Marlborough ($20)
6. 2018 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago ($30)
7. 2018 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough ($60)
8. 2019 Misha's “The High Note” Pinot Noir Central Otago ($45, on sale $22)
9. 2019 Akitu "A1" Pinot Noir Central Otago ($35, on sale $25)
10. 2018 Valli "Waitaki" Pinot Noir North Otago ($50)