WINE TALK
Raise your glass to the end of a beautiful year with BAZAAR’s top sips.
TENS ACROSS THE BOARD
Having gone through a tumultuous harvest period last year, Cloudy Bay, armed with the latest technology— drones!—and improved monitoring measures, releases the Sauvignon Blanc 2018 that despite having weathered through yet another challenging year, has come out so gracefully. Rarely does a white captivate this way, right from the moment it pours from the bottle. Fresh and juicy on the nose, the first whiff brings to mind the tropical passion fruit. Underpinned with citrusy notes, it lingers in the mouth, and presents itself as a beautifully harmonious wine. Available at leading supermarkets nationwide. www.cloudybay.co.nz
COMPELLING FINESSE
Distinctively complex, Wolf Blass’s Black Label Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2013 is a powerful combination of some of the winery’s best wines. Tricky, but the individual characteristics come together to form an opulent drink perfect for warm nights. A velvety mout hfeel rounds up the experience, and delivers a richness that signals at its long cellaring potential. Available at leading supermarkets nationwide. www.wolfblass.com
GAME CHANGER
The Austrian-style Kanaan Riesling 2015 hails from China’s most promising wine province, Ningxia. On the nose, juicy notes of grapefruit, as well as gentle whiffs of floral delight. When it hits the palate, the dry minerality is coupled with a tinge of zest, making it a lively, fresh, and young Riesling. www.kanaanchina.com