Please sir, can I have some more?
REGULAR readers know that I usually taste in flights of similar wines and report accordingly.
From time to time I have ‘‘waifs and strays’’ that were extras in tasting lineups, or just don’t quite fit into a column theme, so today is a catchup of sorts to let them have their moment in the sun.
The quote ‘‘Please sir, can I have some more?’’ is attributed to the famous waif Oliver Twist, yet it mirrors my thoughts on these wines, where I would happily indeed have some more.
Vergence Mk I by Pegasus Bay
Price RRP $27 Rating Excellent
Bready/yeasty notes, citrus peel, sweat, green bean, bonfire smoke with time. A textural lushness and suppleness, yet the acidity is there to keep this lively. The palate adds spiciness; it’s fruit sweet yet closing dry, showing delightful richness with a citrusflecked feel to the long finish. Equally good by itself or with food. www.pegasusbay.com
2020 Churton Natural State Field Blend
Price RRP $28 Rating Excellent
Attractive nose of spices, exotic fruits, peach, apricot, stonefruit. Immediately a drier feel in the mouth with a chalky texture giving grip that would be smashing with food. Crunchy, textural, lovely fruit depth in support, power without weight developing mineral nuances.
Melds a creamy texture, with chalky grip and racy acidity. Approachable alone, magic with food. www.churtonwines.co.nz
2020 Brennan Gibbston Gewurztraminer
Price RRP $29
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Invitingly floral nose that leaps out to greet you with rose petal, Turkish delight, talc, perhaps even ginger. Fat and broad in the mouth with sweet rose and fruit jube flavours countered by typical almond/ apricot kernel bittersweet elements. Brings in a hint of sweet ’n’ sour coolness on an otherwise quite soft and supple finish.
www.brennanwines.com
2020 Wooing Tree Tickled Pink
Price RRP $40
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Sugar dusted strawberries, toffee apple, hints of spice. Intensely sweet with strawberry, grape, musk and wine gums flowing to a soft, toffee apple accented close. Initially, the sweetness threatens to overwhelm things and I’m hunting for the acidity, but with aeration this quietly comes into balance. The sweetness makes this an absolute crowd pleaser. www.wooingtree.co.nz
2019 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Syrah
Price RRP $28 Rating Excellent
Fascinating nose with smoke, savoury nuances, minerality, a little herb, dark berries and rhubarb later. The savoury notes are apparent on the palate with spices, blood & iron, blackberry fresh off the bush, a touch of green olive later. A grainy feel to the tannins and a lipsmacking salivatory aspect to the close. A rare Marlborough Syrah and worth looking out for. www.riverbyestate.com
2020 Dicey Bannockburn Gamay
Price RRP $42 Rating Excellent
Grows with aeration. Wildness, burnt bramble, berryfruits, full of intrigue. Juicy, crunchy palate showcasing raspberry, dark berries spice and bonfire embers. Mediumbodied yet deceptive power to this, building in depth and structure with the flavours lingering on the long, crisp finish. Unfiltered, so a little cloudy and I suspect best drunk in its youthful vibrancy. www.dicey.nz