Alzinger Mühlpoint Grüner Veltliner 2015
The 2015 Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Mühlpoint comes from loess soils and opens with a more spicy Veltliner bouquet that displays ripe pip fruit aromas. Round and juicy on the palate, with a stimulating salinity and a very nice grip this is a pretty juicy yet expressive and aromatic Veltliner.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC
Anne Laure Riesling 2018
The gorgeous nose of lime and citrus. The dry palate shows some attractive notes of white flowers.
Ansgar Clusserath Riesling 2019
This is Mosel Riesling with a difference, Feinherb is neither dry or sweet but (transliterated) featherweight. I describe these wines as “just sweet enough” and this one is rich and creamy with tropical fruit, citrus and acid for days.
ORGANIC
Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco 2019
It’s a deeply aromatic wine that is surprisingly light on the palate. There’s some maceration on the skins, so you’ll get a bit of tannin on the finish along with an intriguing olive-y note.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Astrolabe Chenin Blanc Sec 2021
Grown on the sunny clay slopes of Marlborough, this fresh Chenin reveals soft apple and honeysuckle flavours to enjoy year-round. Medium-bodied, with good acidity and a light spritziness, giving flavours of red apple, nectarine and honeysuckle. Delicious when youthful but has strong maturation potential.
ORGANIC
Aurum Dry Riesling 2018
This southern star smashes through the palate with green apple and quartz-powder, mineral-driven mouthfeel that lingers long and will send your saliva glands into overload. The citrus intensity is one thing, but the honeysuckle and hints of biscuit really add to the complexity of this wine in the mouth.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
B Vintners De Alexandria Muscat 2018
Muscat d’ Alexandrie originates from ancient Egypt and is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines still in existence. The early Dutch settlers first brought the vine cuttings to the Cape of Good Hope, in the mid-1600’s. Its origin in Africa has played a very important role in grape growing and wine production in the Cape through the centuries. The extraordinary nose is the starting point for a special experience; lime, litchi and pear are well balanced with a subtle floral perfume. The delicate palate leads you further down a path of new discovery and shows tangerine and a lingering of quince. Fresh acidity caresses the palate and gives length to this unique wine.
Barouillet Bergerac Blanc Sec 2019
This wine with an atypical nose is not very marked by the aromas of the Sauvignon. It reveals notes toasted or even grilled. It also has floral notes, followed by fruits such as peach and citrus. The mouthfeel has a refreshing vivacity, reminding grapefruits and floral aromas such as honeysuckle and wisteria. The Bergerac Blanc Sec is a surprising union between freshness, fullness and aromas.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Black Estate French Farm Pinot Gris 2020
“Lovingly grown on a hillside vineyard in French Farm, overlooking Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula. The vines here are grown on basalt soils formed from an extinct vocano. The fruit in this bottle has ample texture, vibrant acidity and balance. Whole bunch pressed and fermented in small stainless steel tanks and 500l barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.”
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Blank Canvas Grüner Veltliner 2015
Creamy texture with rich honey and stone fruits fleshed out on the edges by succulent Meyer lemon. Baking spices and subtle white pepper (classic Gruner flavours) add to the seduction of the palate, lithe natural acids and minerality ensure its generosity finishes with salivating freshness.
Bodegas Zarate Albariño 2019
The Zarate estate encompasses a total of 9.6 Ha of vines, over 12 different parcels. It is located in the Val de Salnés subzone which is prized for its cool climate and close proximity to the sea, which gives the wines a ‘salty’ character. The soils here are what is called Xabre, or weathered granite, which also helps to accentuate the intense minerality of the wines. The vines are farmed organically with many biodynamic techniques employed as well.
“The eponymous 2019 Zarate is their entry-level Albariño, a vintage with structure and acidity, still very young, a powerful vintage with more of everything and probably a long-distance runner. It’s varietal and clean, characterful, powerful and with a long, tasty finish, vibrant and almost salty.” The Wine Advocate
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Bründlmayer Grüner Vertliner Berg-Vogelsang 2018
Anis spice remains discreet, animated and distinctive. Round and balanced on the palate despite a bit of weight. Apple and yellow fruit in the background, crystal clear with promising potential.
Chateau du Seuil Graves Blanc 2019
The wine is of an appealing golden colour, has a fresh aromatic bouquet, is full and fruity with a long aftertaste. The wines are situated in the deep river gravels that cover the entire plateau. This gravel is combined with sand, clay and limestone which all contribute to the uniqueness of the Graves and the characteristic minerality which is expressed in the wines.
ORGANIC
Commune of Buttons Basket Town 2020
“We picked three parcels that are a mix of Dijon clones including the rare chardonnay Muscat (about 10% of the final wine); an ancient ancestor of the modern chardonnay grapes of today. 1 tone of fruit was picked in the third week of March and crushed underfoot. The juice was fermented in a single 600L demi-muid and aged on full lees for 11 months and stirred for lees integration once a week for about a month. Basket Town white is a spicy saline chardonnay with white flesh peaches and nectarine. The Muscat character lifts the aromatics and makes the wine incredibly accessible.” Producer Notes
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Commune of Buttons Estate Chardonnay 2020
“Fermentation took place in 600L barrels and the wine remained on full lees for a year with some lees stirring over winter (roughly once a week for 2 months). Commune White is a bright, well-rounded wine with pear, lime and peach fruits. There is a delicate savoury brioche thread that lingers into the well-known saline minerality and natural acidity of the clay sandstone soils of the vineyards.” Producer Notes
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Conceito Vamp White 2019
Bright citrus colour with greenish tones. Intense and complex aroma, with citrus notes, tropical fruits and slightly floral. In the mouth, it has good volume, firm and well integrated acidity, fruity notes and harmonious and persistent finish.
Côtes du Rhône Blanc Ephemere 2019
A white wine made from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. The grapes were vinified together in tank and then aged for 6 months on the fine lees before bottling. Fragrant and fresh. A generous and enticingly aromatic nose with notes of white flowers, peaches, and pears. Textured and silky.
ORGANIC
De La Terre Viognier 2015
Delicate notes of citrus blossom, quince and lychee alongside a seam of flinty minerality on the nose. On the palate, an elegant and refined balance of ripe, clean Viognier flavours and gentle acidity. Flavours of honey, lychee and light citrus dominate. The palate structure is tight and linear with a clean, crisp and long finish.
Decibel Giunta Crispy White 2020
An intriguing blend of 35% Chenin Blanc, 33% Viognier, 32% Chardonnay. Very light, pale straw colour. High notes of white stone fruit and hints of exquisite floral notes, which open up to broader spices and richer tones of ripe peach and red delicious apples. The palate is soft and lush up front but quickly evolves into a racy midpalate and bright finish. Lingering notes in the midpalate of brioche while the finish has a lasting spice and vibrancy.
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Hand-picked from its own vineyards in Marlborough, Dog Point’s Sauvignon is bright, crisp and super-fresh, more typical in Marlborough style than the barrel-fermented ‘Section 94’ cuvée, with huge punch and verve. Passion fruit is there, with tropical notes suggesting lychee and guava, a touch of capsicum, but really all about the fruit. In the mouth the texture has some richness and mealiness to it, the citrus blast of the acidity balanced perfectly against that more unctuous, tropical fruit into a dry and beautifully balanced finish. Typical and yet not, this is a fine example of Marlborough’s unique Sauvignon style.
Domaine des Grandes Espérances Le Roi Soleil 2016
Bright and citrus based wine with hints of elderflower and melon. The 2016 Domaine des Grandes Espérances Le Roi Soleil is a light bodied wine with a strong acidic finish. Aimed at those who may enjoy a glass of vino in summer with a filleted fresh fish on the grill.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Domaine Felines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet 2020
Fresh, sweet, lively and enticing, with creamy lemon notes and a little floral freshness. Soft though prominent acidity and citrussy fruits. Perfect with seafood and oysters!
Domaine Les 4 Vents Les Pitchounettes Blanc 2016
This Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Roussanne.
On the nose, mineral and citrus notes with toasted aromas on dried fruits with a hint of honey this year. On the palate, freshness, floral notes and a subtle finish on dried fruits, almonds and a very light touch of apple.
Domaine Mosse Goldeneye 2019
Domaine Mosse make impeccable and complex wines. With grapes Loin de l’Oeil from the South West France and Grüner Veltliner from Austria, the two combine effortlessly to produce a highly drinkable white wine of considerable charm. This wine shows the Mosse brothers, once again, showing their experience and adaptability to combine grapes from two different countries to produce a very interesting and delightful wine.