Sometimes you come across wines that are quite different from the run of the mill and this line-up includes an unusual variety, an unusual treatment for gewurztraminer and an unusual but delicious and versatile late harvest sauvignon blanc.
BEST VALUE
$28
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant with rose petals and hints of elderflower and lime, this has been fermented with wild yeast in large, old oak barrels. Although powerful, it has a clean finish and lovely aftertaste.
$32
Four stars
Average value
Fragrant, floral and charming, this is fresh and lively with attractive but relatively restrained fruit, underlying power and complexity. It will develop with a couple of years' bottle age.
$30
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Fragrant and mouth-filling with suggestions of citrus flowers, lychees, mint, rose petals and hints of mineral and nuts, this has a hot, powerful aftertaste.
$28
Three and a half stars
Average value
Arneis is an Italian white variety, and this suggests almonds and stonefruit with a hint of creaminess and savouriness. It's powerful with high alcohol and lingering aftertaste. A good food wine.
$20
Two and a half stars
Below average value
Light and sweetish with a hint of lemon, a light spritz and a dryish finish. Picked early to achieve low alcohol (6%), this lacks the lovely fragrant fruitiness you expect of muscat, but it's pleasant enough - a bit like a lemon drink.
$30
Four stars
Average value
An unusual but delicious late harvest sauvignon blanc, medium sweet, fragrant, floral and herbal, with a lively intensity, an oily texture and a zesty, dryish finish. Lovely with an almond biscotti, strawberries, just by itself or with nibbles like smoked fish pate.
ANOTHER GLASS
Perseverance Central Otago Pinot Cousins 2013
$35
Three stars
Below average value
Made from pinot gris with 10% pinot noir for colour, this is a pink sticky, intensely sweet, hinting of cherries with a suggestion of caramel, an oily texture and clean finish.
Alluviale Anobli Hawkes Bay 2012
$40
Four stars
Below average value
A botrytised (noble rot) wine, lmost tawny, oozing dried apricots, honey and quince, rich, intense and unctuous yet with a crisp, clean finish.
