WHAT I’M DRINKING

Tipples that are tickling my fancy.

Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé NV

If you’re searching for an exciting apéritif-style sparkling rosé then try this wine from a premier producer. With soft mouth-filling fruit flavours, dry in style and plush elegant aftertaste, this Pelorus is made with chardonnay and pinot noir fruit, giving the wine power and complexity, finesse and breadth. An excellent partner to scallop or abalone-based dishes.

RRP from $40.

Monowai Pinot Noir 2020, Hawke’s Bay

Varietal and pure, a core of dark red berry and fine savoury spices, a fine complexity and attractive bouquet. Flavours of dark cherry and plums, dried herb and barrel spices coat the palate with texture and flavour accentuated by acidity and nicely polished tannins. Lush, youthful and quite delicious. Excellent drinking from 2023 through 2030+.

RRP from $34.99.

Lime Rock Pinot Noir 2016, Hawke’s Bay

A very attractive bouquet filled with scents of fallen leaves and red berries, there’s a fine chalky mineral quality as equal in power as the fruit. Aromas of barrel and bottle age layer in scents of nut and lees, violet and old rose with a whisper of leather and five spice. Delicious on the palate, silky smooth in a medium weighted expression. A lovely wine, ready from 2022 through 2028+. RRP from $39.

Junction ‘Possession’ Pinot Noir 2019, Hawke’s Bay

There’s an attractive and distinctive mineral quality to the bouquet with layers of fine sand and rocks then scents of blackcurrant, black berry and dark cherry. A savoury quality emerges as the wine opens up in glass revealing complexity. Spices of barrel and more red berry fruits also begin to emerge. A lovely example ready for drinking from late 20123 through 2032+. RRP $32.