New Zealand Spotlight - June 2020
‘New Zealand promises to be very favourable to the vine.’
So said the pioneering Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1819 – but even this visionary mind would no doubt be impressed with quite how far and how fast this country has become a world class producer of great wines.
As a serious wine producing nation New Zealand is, in world terms, still just a young pup. With approximately 40 years of commercial wine-making experience under their collective belts they punch significantly above their weight with the immense quality of their wines. As vineyards are now reaching peak maturity, ever more refined wine-making, and with a greater understanding of the varied sites and soils – there’s never been a better time to buy these amazing wines.
We have championed some of the greatest producers here for a very long time, bringing into the UK the extraordinary wines from Rippon for more than 20 years. Our first vintage of Felton Road was 2005 and greats like Ata Rangi have been on the shelves for more than 15 years. Kumeu River is a more recent partnership – but shipping these fabulous wines from Auckland for the last few vintages has been a complete thrill.
‘The eye-catching depth of New Zealand wine across a myriad of styles is of significance to wine collectors and drinkers because this is a group of wines that mark a clear step away from the oceans of sauvignon blanc that first put this place on the world wine grid.’ www.jamessuckling.com
What we love about these wines is their distinctiveness. It is always easy to make comparisons between wine regions – but these pristine examples are completely Kiwi. They bring to life this magical landscape and could not really be from anywhere else. Pure-fruited and detailed Pinot Noir, textured and lithe Chardonnays and the unmistakable bounce of those Sauvignons. Such diversity and incredible quality is the real delight of wines from New Zealand today.
So we are shining a light here on some of the best producers from top to toe of both Islands. You’ll find wines from these ‘known names’ as well as some of the smaller producers we love too - like Tongue in Groove, Two Rivers and Brodie Estate. This is a roll call of some of the great and the good, reaching from Auckland in the North to Central Otago in the South. With different varieties and styles to suit all palates.

2015 TONGUE IN GROOVE Riesling
Waipara South Island New Zealand 13% White
Riesling .
Effusively declared by Tongue in Groove MD Angela Clifford as 'probably the best Riesling we've ever made'. Drier than the 2013 vintage with only 6 g/l residual sugar, this a refined vintage of the trademark Tongue in Groove style.
L&S
2015 TONGUE IN GROOVE Pinot Noir Cabal Vineyard
Waipara South Island New Zealand 14% Red
Pinot Noir.
Ripe and attractive black-cherry and plum aromas with a neat thread of spicy and earthy, savory notes. Supple, fleshy and silky palate with juicy, ripe and spicy red-cherry flavors, finishing fresh and luscious. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2018 KUMEU RIVER Coddington Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 13% White
Chardonnay.
From a site that faces directly north and gets more of a tropical fruit character than the citrus and so “Can take heavier oak,” according to Michael Brajkovich. Just a touch of hazelnut and light toast, a pure line of lime fruit again, fabulous acidity, but touching on peach and nectarine...(read more)
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.com
2015 RIPPON 'Rippon' Mature Vine Pinot Noir
South Island New Zealand 13.5% Red
Pinot Noir.
A blend of parcels across the property, this has a deeply spicy array of mixed fruit, framed in aromas of flint, dark stones, pepper, woody spices, wild herbs and fresh earth. Texturally, this is super fine and taut, which reflects the schist soils found here. Very fine, powerful and athle...(read more)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2018 FELTON ROAD Block 2 Chardonnay
South Island New Zealand 0% White
Chardonnay.
Made from 100% Mendoza clone. Intense mineral sense to this, with more limey fruit intenstity than the Block 6 perhaps, and a touch of creaminess off-setting a little bit flint in this bottling. Lovely balance, with salinity to the acidity and the ripeness of the fruit, gentle creamy oak.
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.com
2018 FELTON ROAD Block 6 Chardonnay
South Island New Zealand 0% White
Chardonnay.
A little bit of flint and minerals here, "all natural and not winemaking," according to Blair Walters. A hint of passion fruit and lovely cut and freshness, grapefruit and some oatmeal filling in. The palate has juiciness and a racing, elegant acid structure, the lick of salts an...(read more)
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.com
2018 KUMEU RIVER Hunting Hill Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 13% White
Chardonnay.
From a slope above the Maté's vineyard replanted in 2000, this is flecked with green in colour, a little touch of fig, but lots of lime blossom finesse. The palate has such a blast of salinity, sheer and flowing, such gorgeous clarity and that blast of mineral salts. Outstanding.
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.com
2018 KUMEU RIVER Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay
North Island New Zealand 13% White
Chardonnay.
Maté Barjkovich's name lives on in this vineyard immediately opposite the winery and family home, all planted with the Mendoza clone. Gorgeous nose, quite opulent and pear and peach, so much vibrant, brilliant fruit and acid, moves into nougat, etched by beautiful acidity, the opule...(read more)
Tom Cannavan, www.wine-pages.com
2017 ATA RANGI Pinot Noir
Martinborough North Island New Zealand 13% Red
Pinot Noir.
Really pristine fruit aromas here with such pure, ripe red cherries and roses, as well as gently earthy and spicy nuances. Very fresh, precisely ripe and a pinot you can sit and just breathe in for days. The palate has a velvety layer that few others manage to find; silky at the core, succ...(read more)
Nick Stock, www.jamessuckling.com
2017 KUMEU RIVER Chardonnay Coddington
North Island New Zealand 13.5% White
Chardonnay. Magnums
Splash out on what is undoubtedly New Zealand’s finest chardonnay. Coddington always has plenty of bite and the 2017 is elegant and ripe, with a nutty, generous finish while retaining its complexity.’
Will Lyons, The Sunday Times
2017 KUMEU RIVER Chardonnay Hunting Hill
North Island New Zealand 14% White
Chardonnay. Magnums
The Hunting Hill vineyard always produces wines that are more taught and mineral. And here the nose does not disappoint, focused and with powdery floral notes. White and pithy citrus notes follow to the pallet. There is great energy and fresh cut here. Smart, restrained oak notes come in l...(read more)
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