KEY POINTS:
Spring is a time that issues in a flurry of new wines: sappy young whites from this year's vintage to oak-aged reds and whites recently bottled out of the barrel. With their vibrant fruit and freshness, New Zealand's wines also seem particularly well-suited to the vernal months.
While we enjoy the fruits of what is looking to be a superlative vintage across most of the country's wine regions this year, the success has not come without some pain inflicted on the country's vignerons by Mother Nature. Last spring's cold snaps and the chilly start to summer crushed expectations of a bumper crop in many regions through a mixture of frosts and poor flowering. Many vineyards in Martinborough had their harvest expectations halved, while Waipara and Central Otago also lost significant crops.
In contrast, most regions fared far better in 2006 in terms of volume. Quality is also shaping up well, with the new wave of wines from 2006 generally showing great promise.
Here I've selected some of the season's most exciting new releases, which are well worth filling your glass with to toast the warmer days ahead.
Wooing Tree Central Otago Rose 2007 $19.50
The world may be increasingly drinking pink, but sadly many roses remain sickly sweet and simple. Not this one. Made from pinot noir, this single vineyard wine has just a touch of sweetness, vibrant strawberry and raspberry fruit, plus a handful of rose petals for good measure, finishing with a cleansing zippy acidity. Fresh, fruity, and with more filling than most roses.
From Herne Bay Cellars, Caros.
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $19.99
One of the first 2007 sauvignon blancs I tasted and one whose memory has lingered pleasantly even since sampling more of the first wave of releases from this promising vintage. Its flavours are on the greener spectrum, with lip-smacking lashings of gooseberries, herbs and capsicum.
From New World, Woolworths, Foodtown, Wine Direct, Liquor King, Fine Wine Delivery Company.
Martinborough Vineyard Limited Edition Syrah-Viognier Martinborough 2006 $48
This wine notches up another first, being the first syrah viognier blend from Martinborough Vineyard and indeed the first from the Martinborough region itself. The result is an intensely aromatic wine, with an incense, white and black pepper-infused palate packed with concentrated dark plummy fruit, dark chocolate and lifted notes of rose. Only 60 cases have been made, which will shortly be available through mail order.
From www.martinborough-vineyard.com
Fairhall Downs Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $19.90
This single vineyard sauvignon from the family-owned estate, Fairhall Downs is another stand-out sauvignon from the new vintage. Made with the guidance from recently appointed consultant winemaker Brian Bicknell, its soft citrus and herb palate overlaid with blackcurrant leaf has the emphasis on elegance and texture rather than in-your-face fruit, which makes for an eminently drinkable example.
From Glengarry.
Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 $30
A bright and elegant pinot noir from this small family owned and run Central Otago vineyard. In this well structured wine, pure and tangy cherry fruit is underpinned by dark layers of mocha and spice and a touch of gaminess. This presses all the right pinot buttons at a very smart price.
From Grapes, One Tree Hill, Wine on Jervois, branches of Liquorland, Waipu Off Licence.
Triplebank Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 $23.99
Marlborough's Awatere Valley was one of the places to be badly hit by frost prior to the 2007 harvest, which decimated grape yields this vintage. However, those with fruit in this increasingly important sub-region report making some great stuff this season, a claim supported by this ripe and creamy textured gris. Made in an off-dry style balanced by fresh citrus notes, it's a succulent specimen with a hint of flint fused with Asian spice over fleshy pear, apricot and melon.
Widely available from fine wine stores.
Waipara Springs Premo Waipara Riesling 2006 $22
Another exciting riesling to come from the Waipara Springs stable following the arrival of winemaker Duncan McTavish. A riesling lover intent on creating something really distinctive from the variety, he's cracked it with this exotic powerhouse of a wine that's driven by its pure limey acidity over intense but subtle layers of orange blossom, citrus peel, ginger and river stones.
From The Fine Wine Delivery Company.
Jackson Estate Shelter Belt Marlborough Chardonnay 2006 $22.50
A chic single vineyard chardonnay sourced from Jackson Estate's Homestead block. Here, rich apricot fruit and toasty cashew nut butter notes from well-judged time in barrel are balanced by a crisp grapefruit acidy. A great wine that offers great value.
From Accent on Wine, The Fine Wine Delivery Company, Glengarry, Point Wines and Wine Vault.
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2006 $44.95
One of the most exciting launches this year must be the release of Kumeu River's new single vineyard chardonnays. The first solo offering from Hunting Hill, which overlooks Mate's Vineyard, makes an impressive debut with its delicate notes of honeysuckle, lively mineral and tight citrus acidity which combined make a graceful wine with massive intensity that looks certain to become yet another Kumeu classic.
From Peter Maude Fine Wines, Caros, Fine Wine Delivery Company, Glengarry.
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 $39
Rockburn's 2006 pinot noir is the first to be made at the company's recently constructed winery that was built to the finicky specifications of similarly new winemaker, Malcolm Francis (formerly assistant winemaker at Felton Road). It's a seductively silky and savoury pinot that combines power with finesse in its fusion of the floral and the spicy - juicy red cherry and plum fruit and dark mocha finish.
From Glengarry.
