Initially staking out a claim on Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand winemakers are expanding their winemaking prowess, producing many different types of wines while exploring their vineyard possibilities. Renowned for their intensely pure and vibrant wines, New Zealand’s cooler temperatures allow for flavor development and fresh acidity, producing wines that resonate in the glass. From delicate sparklers, rosé, characterful whites, classic pinot noir, and big reds, New Zealand is transforming their winescape, producing diverse wines that embrace their island sensibilities.
Forrest Winery in Marlborough, South Island/Courtesy of NZ Wine Navigator
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Squawking Magpie winemaker, Gavin Yorrt, Gimblett Gravels, North Island/Courtesy of NZ Wine Navigator
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New Zealand is made up of two islands. The South Island, the more famous one, with its cooler climate and combination of soils, is the perfect cradle for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The North Island, warmer and with more sunshine, is perfectly positioned for red wines, such as Syrah and Malbec, but excels with Bordeaux blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas and his hand-picked selection of New Zealand wines
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Cameron Douglas greeted everyone with a glass of No. 1 Cuvée Blanc de Blancs
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A fabulous menu created by Executive Chef Kenny Spost of Napa Valley Grille
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Spinach Salad with Humboldt Fog, Roasted Almonds, Dragon Apples, and Balsamic Drizzle
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Skuna Bay Salmon with "Farrotto", Frisee and Mizuna Salad, White Wine Beurre Blanc
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Duck Confit Pasta with Port Jus, Mirepoix, Baby Kale, and Pecorino Romano
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Lamb Two Ways - Braised Colorado Lamb and New Zealand Lamb Rack, Peppercorn Jus
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Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to sample several New Zealand wines within two tasting sessions. In June 2018, NZ Wine Navigator brought a collection of wines to a special LA Wine Writers lunch at the Napa Valley Grille. New Zealand’s only Master Sommelier, Cameron J. Douglas, demonstrated the quality as well as the diversity, pouring eleven wines alongside an excellent five course lunch. And most interesting, Douglas explained that 96% of New Zealand wines have screw caps, because of the high failure of corks there, and displayed the proper way to open a screw cap. According to Douglas, you should always open a screw cap by holding the cap stationary and turning the bottom of the bottle, to avoid damaging the cap. Who knew?!
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These were my favorites of the luncheon:
The Darling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 - intensely aromatic, with tropical fruit and citrus notes, round and textured, it's mouth filling and delightful
Ceres Swansong Vineyard Pinot Gris, Bannockburn, Central Otago 2015 - fragrant and exotic with white stonefruit and spice, lush and textured, with mineral highlights on a long finish
Vidal Estate “El Legado” Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay 2014 - layers of complexity, citrus, nut, and spice float on a textured palate with flinty notes, balanced with oak accents, this is an elegant wine that will continue to improve with age
Ceres Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago 2015 - ripe red fruit, spice, floral and mineral aromas reveals a palate of wild raspberry and plum, toasty oak, good acidity, and fine tannins
Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay 2013 - boysenberry fruit, pepper, and licorice cocoon within a smoky, meaty frame, intense yet refined, outstanding
Ostler Riesling, Lake Waitake 2012 - off-dry, rich and concentrated, yet balanced with vibrant acidity, a tapestry of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers, honey, and mineral notes swirl within a full body, complex and perfect for dessert
The Darling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 - intensely aromatic, with tropical fruit and citrus notes, round and textured, it's mouth filling and delightful
Ceres Swansong Vineyard Pinot Gris, Bannockburn, Central Otago 2015 - fragrant and exotic with white stonefruit and spice, lush and textured, with mineral highlights on a long finish
Vidal Estate “El Legado” Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay 2014 - layers of complexity, citrus, nut, and spice float on a textured palate with flinty notes, balanced with oak accents, this is an elegant wine that will continue to improve with age
Ceres Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago 2015 - ripe red fruit, spice, floral and mineral aromas reveals a palate of wild raspberry and plum, toasty oak, good acidity, and fine tannins
Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay 2013 - boysenberry fruit, pepper, and licorice cocoon within a smoky, meaty frame, intense yet refined, outstanding
Ostler Riesling, Lake Waitake 2012 - off-dry, rich and concentrated, yet balanced with vibrant acidity, a tapestry of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers, honey, and mineral notes swirl within a full body, complex and perfect for dessert
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This Spring, several wine writers tasted another eleven wines with NZ Wine Navigator Brand Ambassador David Harlow. He brought different wines from the previous tasting, to demonstrate the range of New Zealand wines. NZ Wine Navigator specializes in boutique wines from small producers, all hand-picked by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, that represent the best and highest quality wines produced in the islands, that are mostly unknown in the US. From sparkling to big reds, seven wines caught my attention as the best of the bunch, and certainly worthy of your drinking consideration.
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No. 1 Assemblé - enticing notes of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers and brioche swirl within a fine bubble stream, long finish
Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc Nelson 2017 - opulent and juicy, aromatic notes of green papaya and fennel yield a savory palate of nectarine and lemon zest, complex and elegant
Forrest Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 - red and black berry fruit, plum, spice and forest floor, full-bodied
Brightwater Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 - fresh and juicy, dark cherry and berry fruit, a savory wine with integrated tannins
Ostler Caroline's Pinot Noir North Otago 2016 - full and textured, well balanced with brambly fruit, spice, and forest floor accents, long finish with ripe tannins
Vidal Estate El Legado Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay 2014 - intensely aromatic with plum, floral, herbal and spice, rich flavors of dark cherry and plum pop within a light frame of oak, elegant, balanced and textured, fine tannins complete a long finish
Vidal Estate El Legado Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013 - elegant and complex, full-bodied with dark red and black fruit, plum, violets, bacon, dried herbs, graphite and cedar, mineral notes with fine tannins
Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc Nelson 2017 - opulent and juicy, aromatic notes of green papaya and fennel yield a savory palate of nectarine and lemon zest, complex and elegant
Forrest Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 - red and black berry fruit, plum, spice and forest floor, full-bodied
Brightwater Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 - fresh and juicy, dark cherry and berry fruit, a savory wine with integrated tannins
Ostler Caroline's Pinot Noir North Otago 2016 - full and textured, well balanced with brambly fruit, spice, and forest floor accents, long finish with ripe tannins
Vidal Estate El Legado Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay 2014 - intensely aromatic with plum, floral, herbal and spice, rich flavors of dark cherry and plum pop within a light frame of oak, elegant, balanced and textured, fine tannins complete a long finish
Vidal Estate El Legado Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013 - elegant and complex, full-bodied with dark red and black fruit, plum, violets, bacon, dried herbs, graphite and cedar, mineral notes with fine tannins
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Innovative, committed to quality, and lots of bang for the buck, New Zealand wines are exploring new wine frontiers, adding a different dimension to their wine portfolios. Surging beyond Sauvignon Blanc, producers are riding the wave of New Zealand wines breaking upon our shores.