An exceptional growing season in Hawke’s Bay has winemakers salivating.

An exceptional growing season in Hawke’s Bay has winemakers salivating.

The 2019 harvest is expected to yield wines that are worth celebrating, especially those from Hawke’s Bay. After one of the country’s hottest, driest summers, autumn was wet in Marlborough, but the dryness persisted in Hawke’s Bay, which reported an exceptional vintage.

Winemaker Gordon Russell, who joined Esk Valley 30 years ago, believes 2019 is “going to be a legend. All varieties are superb.” Julian Grounds, winemaker at Craggy Range, even praised the 2019 vintage as “sublime”. The region’s top wines from 2019 – made mostly from chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah – are yet to be unveiled, but here are some 2019 pinot gris and rosés to get us started.

Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019

Showing strong personality, this invitingly scented wine was grown inland, at Maraekākaho, and partly barrel-fermented. Full-bodied (13.5% alc/vol), it has strong, vibrant, pear-like flavours, hints of lychees and spices, a distinct touch of complexity, balanced acidity and a dryish, lingering finish. Already delicious, it is great value at $20.

Falconhead Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2019

Enjoyable young, this wine was mostly handled in tanks, but 25% was barrel-fermented. Pale pink, it is mouthfilling (13%), with generous peach, watermelon and spice flavours. Fresh and dryish, it is good value at $17.

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2019

Made from merlot, this bright-pink wine is lively, with good body (13% alc/vol) and strong, fresh-watermelon and spice flavours. A dry and lingering rosé. $25

Oyster Bay Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019

Modelled on dry Italian pinot grigio rather than the richer, sweeter pinot gris of Alsace, this is a fragrant, medium to full-bodied (12.5% alc/ vol) wine with pear-like aromas, fresh stonefruit, pear and spice flavours and a smooth finish. $20

Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc Rosé 2019

Pale pink, fresh and lively, this wine is unfolding well, with strong peach, strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of apricot, gentle tannins and a finely balanced, basically dry finish. (13% alc/vol). $20

Stables Ngatarawa Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019

From Mission Estate, this sharply priced wine is enjoyable young. Mouthfilling (13.5% alc/vol), it is fresh and slightly creamy, with dryish, peachy, strongly spicy flavours and satisfying depth. $13